Surrounding Cities Eye Businesses in Proposed Peachtree Corners City Limits

Peachtree Corners quest for city-hood has created a tug of war of sorts for neighboring cities that are eyeing the businesses in the unincorporated area's proposed city limits as potential targets to annex before November 8 when the referendum is brought to a vote for eligible voters to decide on whether to become Gwinnett County's 16th city.

Some consider the proposed Peachtree Corners borders that reach well past Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (thought of as the traditional borders of Peachtree Corners) as aggressive. The new city's borders stretches as far east as Buford Highway in what most considers Norcross territory and as far north as the city limits of Berkeley Lake and Duluth.

It has created a scramble for the neighboring cities to contact nearby businesses to consider annexation before the fall vote. Businesses  represent considerable tax revenue for any city, especially in the current economic climate with declining revenue brought on partially from falling home values.

Berkeley Lake, the county's latest city to incorporate in 1956, is one of the county's smallest, its borders currently encompassing just one square mile of which the majority is made up of residential property. There are also two relatively small business parks located inside the city limits.

Lois Salter, Berkeley Lake's mayor said the city is looking into expanding its business tax base and is reaching out to adjacent businesses to advise them about annexation into the city.

"We are contacting nearby businesses to let them know what the different options are," said Salter. "Volunteers from the city are meeting with business owners to advise them of the advantages to being a part of Berkeley Lake."

The businesses, she said, were "universally shocked to hear they could become a part of Peachtree Corners" and were unaware of the pending legislation.

A spokesman for the Gwinnett County said there is no requirement that the county notify affected businesses prior to an election date.

The only official notice that goes out is through ads posted in the Gwinnett Daily Post, the county's official legal organ. Those notices will begin 29 days prior to this year's Nov. 8th election date explained the county's spokesman Joe Sorenson.

Salter points out there are financial advantages for businesses that decide to annex into Berkeley Lake including the fact that there are no storm water fees and the city offers a very different type of business license.

"We have a large number of people who work from home. Our business license structure is designed with that in mind," she said. "Our business licenses were designed not to penalize people who work from home and the cost is not based on gross receipts but a flat rate.

When considering annexation business owners should look at a number of factors, not just a city's millage rate Salter points out. "Millage rates are deceptive, there are other taxes to consider," she said.

It's important for businesses to get all of the facts, advises Salter who points to the disparity in occupational and business taxes.

Wayne Knox, United Peachtree Corners Civic Association's vice president of land use, said that the Peachtree Corners proposed borders should not be a surprise to anyone looking at its wide-reaching area.

"There is nothing secret about this," said Knox. "The overlay forms the basis for the city. It's responsible government to set itself up for sustainability." The county-approved Peachtree Corners Overlay district has been in place since 2007.

Knox points out that Peachtree Corners is attractive to businesses because of its low millage rate which will be "up to one mil" based on the city's charter that was approved and signed off by the governor in May.

"Why pay 6 mils [in taxes]. It's clear-cut from a business standpoint," said Knox.

Norcross's city leaders were quick to jump into the annexation frenzy sending out some 265 letters with annexation packets just four days after Gov. Nathan Deal signed the bill on May 11th giving Peachtree Corners residents an opportunity to decide this fall by a referendum vote on incorporating as a city.

The city of Duluth has also joined in according to a recent report in the neighboring Duluth Patch which indicates the city is looking at annexing businesses in the Blue Ridge Industrial Park along North Berkeley Lake Road.

That same business park is also of interest to the City of Berkeley Lake.