Signs of the Times

Take a drive through almost any of the neighborhoods in the Peachtree Corners community and you'll likely see the signs.

The ubiquious messages are everywhere -- in yards, along roads, at intersections and other locations encouraging voters to say "Peachtree Corners, Vote Yes" or "No City" in the upcoming referendum vote on Nov. 8.

It's a looming issue for the community -- whether to choose to become a city or remain as unincorporated Gwinnett County.

The advocates for cityhood point out that by becoming a city the community will benefit from having defined boundaries which will avoid neighboring cities from annexing prime sections of the community and keeping property values from declining.

The new city would operate as a limited service city, providing only three services, planning and zoning, code enforcement and solid waste disposal. The cost to taxpayers would be up to one mil in property taxes. In addition the new city would collect some franchise fees.

And those opposing cityhood point to the additional cost as unnecessary. The group is satisfied with the services the county provides and sees no need to pay extra for services it already enjoys.

This is an issue that has pitted neighbor against neighbor in some areas. Not since 1956, when Berkeley Lake was incorporated, has the county added a new city.

The community's fate will be decided in just 22 days. If the majority vote yes (50 percent plus 1) then the community of some 38,000 will become the county's 16th and largest city in Gwinnett County.

Stay tuned, Patch will be covering the voting results during a live online event.