Committee backs annexation bill allowing Mulberry to add about 45 parcels; one committee member opposes

The House Intergovernmental Coordination Committee recommended House Bill 647 for passage after a presentation by Representative Donna Tucci, who said the annexation would move roughly 45 parcels into the city of Mulberry to give affected residents greater local control over land use decisions.

"Moving these parcels into the city of Mulberry will allow my constituents to have a greater local voice over how this land is developed and used in the future," Representative Donna Tucci said during her presentation. Tucci said the parcels are a mix of residential dwellings, commercial properties and undeveloped land located primarily along one road at the north end of her district. She also identified her background in land-use matters, saying she served as a Gwinnett County planning commissioner.

Committee members conducted a brief question-and-answer exchange. Representative Martinez asked to make the motion that the bill receive a do-pass recommendation; the chair called the question and a voice vote followed. The chair acknowledged one opposing voice: "Opposed? No. Okay. We do have 1 to oppose," and then declared the measure passed. The transcript did not record the name of the member who voted no.

The transcript shows no amendments were offered and no statutes or other legal authorities were cited during the committee discussion. Representative Tucci said the annexation would transfer about 45 parcels into Mulberry city limits; the transcript did not include the bill text or the map that would delineate exact parcel boundaries.

Because the committee action reported was a committee recommendation, the bill must still go through further legislative steps before taking effect.