Auburn Annexes 25 Parcels of Property into City

The Green Tree Acres subdivision off Ga. Highway 324 is now part of the city of Auburn.

The city council voted unanimously Thursday night to annex and assign an R-100, single-family residential zoning classification to the 25 parcels within the community, which is a mix of mobile homes and conventional detached homes.

All 25 property owners consented to the annexation, which was prompted by a failing water system. The city of Auburn will extend a water line into the subdivision to connect residents to city water service.

The city will waive a $3,500 water tap fee, replace the existing water main, waive the $150 water meter fee and install fire hydrants. The city anticipates the $40,750 cost for improvements will be recouped through annual property taxes, utility and franchise fees over the next four years.

Council members also gave a green light Thursday for the city to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant. The city is requesting funding to provide internal water hydrant check valves to prevent accidental or intentional backflow into the water system as well as money to make drainage improvements at right-of-ways at two subdivisions.

The council also voted unanimously to approve a list of local projects the city hopes to see funded through a one percent sales tax that will come before voters in the 2012 primary elections. The projects include the proposed multijurisdictional Great Rail Trail — a 22-mile bike trail that would extend from Gwinnett County through Barrow — as well as the widening and resurfacing of Mount Moriah, Kincrease and County Line roads.

Mayor Linda Blechinger said the process leading up to approval of the tax and obtaining the funding is long but the city wanted to go ahead and outline the projects for consideration.