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Public weighs change to Marietta's 1‑acre school tax exemption for seniors; council to consider options
Summary
Council held a public hearing on whether to extend the city's one‑acre school tax exemption for homeowners 62 and older to cover entire parcels; residents urged change for large lots and raised concerns about potential impacts near Kennesaw Mountain and on annexation incentives. No final decision was made.
City staff opened a public hearing on a proposal to consider expanding the city’s current one‑acre cap on the school tax exemption for homeowners aged 62 and older to allow the exemption to apply to the entire parcel when the parcel is owned and occupied by an eligible homesteader.
Planning/finance staff told council that under current Marietta code the "term homestead ... shall not include more than 1 acre of land immediately surrounding the residents of the applicant." Staff said the issue arises most often when large lots are annexed into the city and owners face a school tax difference compared with remaining in the county.
Why it matters: Resident and neighborhood speakers said the one‑acre limit can discourage voluntary annexation and creates a disparity between county and city residents, particularly on large parcels that function as green buffers around parks.
Public comment highlights Resident Scott Cochran, who said he recently moved to Marietta, urged the…
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