New Role for PCBC

This site is managed by the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee.  Now that Peachtree Corners is a city, our role is changing.  We have a new mission and a new focus.  


You can visit us at our new home: www.peachtreecornersfacts.com  where we will continue to  research and write on the facts of government in Peachtree Corners.


We envision Peachtree Corners as a place where family, community, and business are at the center of life.  Family and community are the purview of individuals.  Business is the economic and creative engine.  Government plays almost no role.  The challenge is that it is the natural tendency of government to grow.


It is the mission of the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee to support this vision of Peachtree Corners and meet the governmental challenge head-on.  We seek to contain government greed and ensure that the new government in Peachtree Corners is something truly unique among all governments – forever unobtrusive and inexpensive.


Contact Us at: info@peachtreecornersfacts.com

Thank You

Thank you to those that read the charter and learned about the structure and rules governing the new city of Peachtree Corners.  It was a close race, much closer than most predicted.  The No-side garnered 44% of the vote.


The challenge going forward will be to bring the disparate communities that now live under the Peachtree Corners moniker together as a single city.  Whoever becomes the new mayor and city council will need to be cognizant that there is a large population that is skeptical of the value of having a city.   To have a truly vibrant and cohesive community, the new leaders will need to work to bring that value without the usual costs, bureaucracy, and other trappings of government many are so disenfranchised with.  


We wish the community and its future leaders the best in tackling that challenge and making Peachtree Corners a truly different and successful form of government for all the people it serves.


Posted By: Ali

Vote No City - A Cartoon Retrospective

Here are a few cartoons I illustrated.  They depict various components of the City Charter 
and/or news stories about the proposed city.   Posted by: Ali                                                           

Death by 1000 Permits

Cartoon by Ali

Fines and Permit costs will be set by the “revenue-determined” city council and the departments and authorities they appoint.  This “power” and many others are granted the new city government in the Charter.  Here are a few examples of how John’s Creek is using the power of permits to generate revenue:

John’s Creek, GA - John’s Creek requires a permit when - "Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the construction codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit for the work. A permit shall not be issued to an owner, who is neither a licensed contractor nor the occupant of a residential structure being altered."—City Code, Chapter 105-52****

What does this mean? Want to have a plumber install a new water heater or toilets in your house? Get a permit. Want to change your fireplace to gas logs? Get a permit. Want to make some roofing repairs? Get a permit. Want to change your electric cook top to a gas unit? Get a permit. Technically, if you bought a new water saving shower head at Home Depot and wanted to install it yourself in your shower, you would need to get a permit and hire a plumber.  So here is how permit-happy cities are fleecing their residents:

In John’s Creek, a family wanted to enhance their backyard with a gazebo, fire pit, and seating. The permit was $750, while the entire cost of the project was less than $900. A permit is needed if your neighborhood wants to put up a graduation sign for congratulating their children.

In Dunwoody, hot water tanks have to be permitted along with heating and A/C unit replacements. Want to have a garage sale with your neighbor?  You will need a permit.

Jack Fox of Peachtree Station says, ”You are so right in advising people to find out what happened in Johns Creek. We owned a second home there when it became a city. Suddenly, you had to get city permits for everything from re-roofing your own roof to putting up "graduation signs" in your yard.  The city found more ways to raise money with ridiculous permits than you can imagine.  It made our selling that home very difficult.” 

In unincorporated Gwinnett County (what Peachtree Corners is today), you do not need a permit for any of the above examples.

Code Enforcement Fines and Permit costs are a way for a city to generate income and control you through restrictive codes and permits.  You will have less “self determination” about things you might wish to do with your home or business.  The new city government will “self determine” for you.  None of these permits and fees will require a referendum for approval.  It’s in the Charter now.  Consider this when you vote on November 8^th.

Posted By: Louie and Mitch

Three Horrors of Code Enforcement

Cartoon by: Ali

One of the 3 proposed services for a City of Peachtree Corners is “Code Enforcement”. What is a “service” in the eyes of UPCCA can quickly become a “horror” for the city’s resident.  Here are a few examples:

The Horror:  Enforcements officers span out across the city - Code enforcement companies are contracted with the city.  These officers are encouraged by a compensation structure that contains incentives and is commission based.  The more tickets, they write, the more money they make.  Therefore, they will be out to fine, ticket and enforce violations that most of us will not realize we are committing, until it’s too late.  

The Horror : Your yard is not your own - Do you have a dead tree in your yard? It’s a code violation.  The charter will make us responsible for sidewalk repair in front of our homes; we could be fined if they are not maintained.  You have an unapproved graduation sign in your yard – fine for you.  You leave your trash can out a little too long? It’ll cost you.  In Roswell a new resident was fined $15.00 because their trash container was out front, and it wasn’t collection day. 

The Horror: Your time is not your own - You spend your weekend on garage sale without a permit? Hope you sold enough to pay the fine.  

Fines and Permit costs will be set by the “revenue-determined” city council and the departments and authorities they appoint.  This “power” and many others are granted the new city government in the Charter.  Please read it and be informed.

Posted By: Louie

What You Will See on Tuesday - Sample Ballot

There are two items on the Ballot on November 8th.  First, the SPLOST.  This is a one penny sales tax to support Gwinnett County Schools.  The other is the incorporation of Peachtree Corners as a city.  Here is what the ballot is expected to look like.

Government Closest to the People

The mantra from the Peachtree Corners City proponents is “Government Closest to the People is Best”.  This sounds good on the surface, but the opposite is actually true.  The closer we are, the less we need government at all.  As Thomas Paine argues in “Common Sense”, government is only needed when the community is so large that we can no longer get together neighbor to neighbor and business to business to solve our problems.  Our world today is rich with technologies that help us communicate and thus shrink our community.  Common sense says why go to the expense and bureaucratic inefficiency of establishing a government close to home?  

The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee believes that:

• The best government is one that does only what people cannot do for themselves and governs the least.
• Government is best when it is large enough to do the job with economies of scale and yet close enough to listen to the needs of the people.

Clearly, with today’s means of transportation and high-tech communications, access to those in government by the governed is real time.  Distance has no impact.  

Government needs to be large enough to provide economies of scale.  Otherwise its costs are higher than the benefit they can provide.  Government becomes a liability and a nuisance to the community, crowding out the private sector, the real engine driving prosperity.  Peachtree Corners City is too small and its focus to narrow to matter.  It only offers power to a few and more trouble than it’s worth to everyone else.  

In the immortal words of Thomas Paine, “Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil”  

Peachtree Corners is a blessing because we are free of excessive government.  Vote No on November 8^th and keep it that way.

Posted By: Jose

Peachtree Corners in the Transition Phase

Gwinnett’s largest city, there will be a “transition” phase.   Section 8.11 of the Charter discusses this phase and what powers and authorities the transition group will have during this period.  Beginning on page 32, it reads:

During the transition period, the governing authority of the City of Peachtree Corners:

(1) Shall hold regular meetings and may hold special meetings as provided in this charter;

(2) May enact ordinances and resolutions as provided in this charter;

(3) May amend this charter by home rule action as provided by general law;

(4) May accept gifts and grants;

(5) May borrow money and incur indebtedness to the extent authorized by this charter and general law;

(6) May levy and collect an ad valorem tax for calendar years 2012 and 2013;

(7) May establish a fiscal year and budget;

(8) May create, alter, or abolish departments, boards, offices, commissions, and agencies of the city; appoint and remove officers and employees; and exercise all necessary or appropriate personnel and management functions; and

(9) May generally exercise any power granted by this charter or general law, except to the extent that a power is specifically and integrally related to the provision of a governmental service, function, or responsibility not yet provided or carried out by the city.

We are particularly alarmed by items 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 in this list because it provides a means for the transitional group to change the charter, incur debt, and set up all sorts of departments, commissions, etc. that the City will be forced to honor and fund through more taxes, permits fees, and the like.  All the while, they may accept gifts and grants for their favor to whomever is providing said gifts.  Some of those gifts and favors may already be flowing.  "Endorse the city Mr. Businessman or Mr. Politicians and I will ensure you get..."

Please read the Charter before you vote.  You are not voting on or for the people currently supporting cityhood and their pretty postcards.  You are voting on this document.  It and the politicians using it are what will ultimately rule us.   

Posted by: Ali

Self-Determination Zoning Gone Amuck

The AJC's Patrick Fox wrote an article titled "Zoning Change Rankles Johns Creek Neighborhood"  in the Friday edition of the AJC:

Close to 200 Johns Creek residents turned out recently in opposition to a zoning request to allow a 268-unit apartment complex in the city's Technology Park area.

J.C. Flex won unanimous approval to build the complex on a 24-acre site between Lakefield Drive and Technology Circle. That was after residents from two nearby subdivisions flooded City Council members with emails opposing the request. 

They left disappointed. Click to Read More

Peachtree Corners - The Friends and Family Plan

Section 3.11 of the Charter (page 16) allows for the city council to create jobs for their friends and family at will.  No referendum is needed to establish boards, commissions, and other authorities.  The Mayor will appoint the personnel.  The charter is designed for cronyism at its best.  Here is section 3.11:

(a) The city council shall create by ordinance such boards, commissions, and authorities to fulfill any investigative, quasi-judicial, or quasi-legislative function the city council deems necessary and shall by ordinance establish the composition, period of existence, duties, and powers thereof.

(b)   All members of boards, commissions, and authorities of the city shall be appointed by the mayor and council for such terms of office and in such manner as shall be provided by ordinance, except where other appointing authority, terms of office, or manner of appointment is prescribed by this charter or by law.

(c) The city council by ordinance may provide for the compensation and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses of the members of any board, commission, or authority.

The Yes-side really does not want you to read the charter.  The pretty postcards present the story as they want you to believe it.  The Voter That Knows Votes NO!  Please read the Charter and vote on November 8^th. 

Posted By: Ali

Letter to My Neighbors

To my friends,family,neighbors, and the many customers that I have in Peachtree Corners,

On November 8, there will be a special election in which our friends and neighbors will vote on whether or not there will be a City of Peachtree Corners. I urge you all to read the Charter and to vote NO on your ballots November 8.

After reading through it myself, I realized that while I would be allowed to live(26 years so far) in the new city of Peachtree Corners, my business would not be welcomed here! The words “regulate or PROHIBIT” mean no more Goodwill, no sales of alcoholic beverages, no use of firearms (wow!), and even regulating lights and heating (we get to live in the dark and freeze?) (Section1.12(25)).

And gee, I thought this city would just barely increase our taxes: there are other sections of this charter that give the city the right to tax on many levels. Do we really need bigger government and more liberties taken away? What are we lacking from the county's services? Oh, and let's not forget Code Enforcement. Just one more way to tax. Tickets issued, municipal court dates and fines handed out by a municipal judge to be paid by the new citizens of Peachtree Corners. Hope I don't forget to bring my trash can in from the curb!

Some may say we must do this to protect us from being annexed into another city and not be in control of ourselves. If I am not mistaken, would we not have to vote to approve any annexation ourselves? If I am wrong, please let me know.  I would like to end with a quote from a neighbor:

"I don’t know if this language is “standard” in city charters--- but I do not like it.  I am tired of government telling me what I can and cannot see and do.  And some of my friends are pawn brokers. I guess this would allow them to close the Goodwill Store.  Lots of junk in there."

Please read the Charter for yourselves, and please vote NO on November 8.

Guest Poster: Ben Levinson

Letter to Tom Rice

Tom, your e-mail address is the only one that I have for the Vote Yes side of the Peachtree Corners City ballot.  First let me say that I am opposed to making Peachtree Corners a city and I intend to vote against it next week.

I have been around a good while and was converted to a conservative point of view during the Jimmy Carter presidency.  I am against more "government", increased government spending and increased taxes.

I consider most of the many words in the Vote Yes publications to be essentially meaningless.  I think that should this proposal be implemented the citizens of Peachtree Corners will be ill served by the skeleton city government that is to be set up.   I am not politically astute enough to know of the few individuals that expect to personally benefit from the proposal but I firmly believe there are a few.

A proposal of this type would be expected to come from the liberals in DC and not from the conservatives of Gwinnett County Georgia.  Today I find that Lynette Howard, Fran Miller and Mary K Murphy have joined you in supporting the Vote Yes position.  Shame on all of you!

Guest Poster: Fred Croney

Yes is Not a Plan

A local blogger recently posted a column titled, “NO is not a plan”.  The unfortunate reality for him and other supporters of cityhood is that YES is not a plan.  

Over the last few months that column's author and others have waxed poetic about the possible positive effects of incorporation.  But none of it actually constitutes a plan. They started out telling us there would be a 1 mil tax increase.  When that didn’t go over well with the populace, they changed to telling us there might be a tax increase up to 1 mil.  And most recently that has changed to there might not be a tax increase at all, we can probably fund the city on franchise fees alone. Doesn’t sound like much of a plan to me. 

The reality is that their ‘plan’ is the charter which lays the framework for a full fledged city. When people run for mayor and council positions, they will present their ‘plans’ (hopefully within the confines of the charter) but the city itself will already be a fait accompli. That’s not a plan, that’s a hope. 

By contrast, a vote NO carries some known outcomes.  If you vote NO there will be no mayor and no councilpersons who can raise your taxes, up to 1 mil or any other amount.  If you vote NO there will be no mayor and no councilpersons who can collect, spend or raise the franchise fees you pay on your utilities.  If you vote NO there will be no city manager collecting a six figure salary.  If you vote NO there will be no contract code enforcement officers riding around looking for stuff to fine people over and no municipal court to enforce their citations. 

If you vote NO, after the election we can focus this re-invigorated community spirit on our county leadership and work to get them doing what we elected them for, instead of trying to replace them at a city level.  Like it or not Peachtree Corners is part of Gwinnett County and part of the metro Atlanta area, and it will continue to prosper in that context if it doesn’t isolate itself by becoming a city. For more on a vision for Peachtree Corners I invite all to read today’s Gwinnett Forum.

Posted By: Bob

Who will be in the New City?

The Proposed City encompasses a lot more land area and neighborhoods than most people realize.  These Neighborhoods and areas will be part of the City of Peachtree Corners should the referendum pass next week: 

The proposed city encompasses all the neighborhoods that are members of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association and vast area beyond that.  Those areas have had little or no communication that they are about to be ensnared by this new city.  Mechanicsville, Lynwood Forest, area of Winters Chapel are all going to be gobbled up to support the new city and the UPCCA elites who wish to control their destiny. 

Please review the city MAP and check your address.  If you are in, read the Charter and know what you are going to pay for.  Then Vote on November 8!

Santa Endorses New City of Peachtree Corners

Posted By: Ali

Vote No City Video

Watch a short 30 second video about the Vote on November 8th.  This spot is running on several cable channels including Fox and Hallmark.  Most people think TV time is very expensive, but that's not true.  This commercial was made and all the ad spots purchased for less than $2000.  

Still Undecided? Nine Things to Consider

1) Your Taxes will definitely be higher.  Based on the feasibility study, that we are now supposed to ignore, the average homeowner in Peachtree Corners will pay several hundred dollars in additional taxes and fees for goods and services we already pay for and receive from the county.

2) Your Trash Hauler's rate from the city likely wont be any less than you are paying now, since the YES side anounced they have no idea if they can get it cheaper or not.

3) No one can Annex your property unless you have 2 agreeing parties. This is Georgia Law. If Norcross wanted to annex Peachtree Corners, they would have done it back in the 80'-90's when this area's technology boom was happening.

4) Code enforcement will be outsourced to a company that compensates their employees on a commission basis. If modeled after the other surrounding cities, it will be a primary source of revenue for the new city, and a nightmare to all residents. Ask some friends in John's Creek and Berkeley Lake.

5) Property values will still be based on economic conditions. Until the economy improves we will not see a change.

6) No one on the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee stands to gain anything financial, The other side cannot say that. The proposed salaries have already gone up and we haven't even gone to the polls yet. What will happen if they are elected?

7) The Charter allows the new city to impose additional taxes, assesments, and other fees, without going to a vote to the taxpayers. It's all in the Charter and feasibility study (that they want you to ignore).

8) Our community leaders definition of "self determination" is for their own self, not yours.  As Thomas Jefferson warned, "It is the nature of government to grow."  Before the election, they talk of "self determination" after the election it will be "selfish determination".    

9) Voting "NO" is not only an option, it's a right.   It's your choice, it's your right.   Exercise your right.

Posted By: Louie

Planning and Zoning: Hidden Agenda or Collateral Damage?

Recently, Walmart tried to push through zoning for a new store (average per store sales of $50 Million per year) to be located on Holcomb Bridge Road between RT 141 and Jimmy Carter in Peachtree Corners.  The Gwinnett planning board disagreed and rather than fight Gwinnett County in court, Walmart shelved their plans.  Gwinnett County has deep pockets and can last a long time in court and such a court fight may bring undue attention to other Walmarts in the County.  

The new City of Peachtree Corners is only initially set up for zoning issues and trash collection with a typical budget of $3 Million per year derived 2/3 through property taxes. This is not deep pockets. Do you think that Walmart will try again through this new City? In such a case, the legal fees fighting such a zoning may well exceed the entire City budget, and since zoning will be within the purview of the new City, Gwinnett County may not expend funds to fight such a zoning request. It is not likely, with City lite, that the new managers would have the desire or resources to embark on such a fight. It bears looking into.

While there are many reasons [given] for a new City, follow the money. 

Guest Poster: Robert Indech, P.E.

Self-Determination - What it Means in Peachtree Corners

Over the last few months the Peachtree Corners YES committee has held numerous town hall meetings in an attempt to sell the residents of PC on the idea of a city.  As the public became more informed on the topic, resistance to the idea increased and many of the ‘selling points’ were discredited. Even Mike Mason admitted at an UPCCA meeting Monday night (10/24) that we shouldn’t pay any attention to the feasibility study, he doesn’t know if we can save any money on trash or not and said that if you read the charter you will need a lawyer because it is hard to understand due to all the legalese. “Sorta” sounds like the Peachtree Corners version of ‘we have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it’, doesn’t it? So, Mason said, they have now come down to one issue: self-determination. 

So what is self-determination and how does it apply to us here in Peachtree Corners? Webster’s defines self- determination as:

1. Free choice of one’s own acts or states without external compulsion, and 

2. Determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status. 

Sounds like a great idea! Who can argue with that? After all, in the 1770’s the colonists wanted self-determination and to be out from under King George’s thumb. On TV the other night, Wayne Knox repeated the party line, saying that “the people who live in Peachtree Corners deserve the right to determine their own future and not have that future determined by politicians that we do not elect.”  I don’t know what part of Peachtree Corners Mr. Knox lives in, but in my part we get to vote for a county commissioner and a commission chairman, as well as judges, PSC commissioners, school board members, sheriff, a district attorney and others who have a direct and indirect influence over our lives every day. The essence of their argument is that we in PC only get to vote for one commissioner out of 4 serving a county of 800,000 people and thus are subject to the whims of the other three. By their logic, perhaps we should consider becoming our own state- after all we only get to elect one state representative out of 180 and one state senator out of 54 representing a population of almost 9.7 million Georgians.

The reality is that if the new city does only the three services the Charter and YES organizers promise (zoning, code enforcement and trash), then those are the only areas where PC would have anything resembling self-determination. A trash plan mandated by the city and charged on your property taxes is the same thing we already have. Code enforcement contracted out to a for-profit company that works on commissions is arguably worse than what we already have. That leaves zoning and most of the property in Peachtree Corners is already developed according to existing zoning. All the other services PC receives (fire, police, schools, parks, roads, libraries, etc.). will continue to be provided by the county,  and we will still only have that dreaded one voice of 4 for 800,000 people on those issues. 

Does all this sound like enough self-determination to warrant higher taxes and fees on you and your family and taking the other downside risks of another government body? 

Posted By: The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee

Political Signs and Free Speech

The issue of political signage has been in the news a lot lately. Last weekend Covington, Ga. mayoral candidate Bobby Sigman was arrested for stealing his opponents signs. Last Monday night, dozens of NO CITY signs in the Peachtree Corners area were damaged, destroyed or stolen. While some were along roadways, most were in peoples yards tucked safely within subdivisions. Following a tv news report on the situation, some supporters of the YES side ridiculously suggested that the NO folks had destroyed their own signs in a crass attempt to gain publicity. That they even think in such devious terms should give pause to the voters of Peachtree Corners, about those who wish to lead the new city.

This past weekend, several large NO CITY signs were installed around the area. Less than 24 hours later, two of the $65 signs lay shredded. One was along Peachtree Corners Circle near Peachtree Station, the other was on Medlock Bridge Rd in a residents front yard with his permission. The YES signs just feet away were unharmed.

Unfortunately, word comes to us today that over the weekend a number of YES signs were damaged in at least one neighborhood. We will not belittle ourselves trying to claim that YES supporters damaged their own signs in a crass attempt to gain publicity for their failing campaign. Rather, the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee would like to be on record as condemning any and all damage, destruction and theft of signs, be they YES or NO in content.

The mission of the PCBC has been to make residents aware of the upcoming vote on cityhood, and make sure they get the necessary information to make an informed choice at the ballot box. We are winning the ‘war of ideas’ in this campaign. We do not need to try to suppress the other side’s opinions. On the contrary, the more the residents learn about the ramifications of this vote, the more likely they are to oppose it. Remember, if the NO side wins this election, none of the PCBC stands to gain anything financially or politically. The organizers of the YES side can not make that claim in the event their side wins.

The residents of Peachtree Corners have the right to express their political beliefs without fear that some hoodlum will trespass on their land and damage or steal their property. If you see somebody messing with a sign of either side, report them to the police. Take a picture with your cellphone if you can. As a community we can put a stop to this foolishness.

Posted By: The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee

12 Myths and 3 Facts About the New City of Peachtree Corners

In discussing the pros and cons of Peachtree Corners becoming a city, residents have given many reasons for and against becoming an incorporated city. But how many of these are not valid reasons for becoming a city?

Myth #1. “We will have more police protection.” - Not true. Fire and police protection will remain the responsibility of Gwinnett County, as they always have. Unless residents vote later to take responsibility for police protection, and vote themselves taxes 5 to 6 or more times the projected city rate of 1.0 mills, this will not change.

Myth #2. “We can have Peachtree Corners as a mailing address.”- If you live in 30092, you can do that now. In fact the post office is in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Myth 3. “I will vote for it because of the schools and the kids.” - Becoming a city has nothing to do with schools or children. Gwinnett County will continue to provide public education, as they do in every city except Buford which has always had its own school system.

Myth #4. “More sidewalks.” - Not true. Roads and sidewalks will continue to be handled by Gwinnett County.

Myth #5. “It will keep the taxes down.” - Not true. Taxes will be raised not only for property taxes, but ad valorem on cars as well, plus franchise fees and a 2% tax on power bills, which we do not have now.

Myth #6. “It will keep out development and businesses we don’t want.” - This is nebulous and debatable. Zoning in place cannot change and current county zoning is totally adequate.

Myth #7.“It will raise our home values.” - Pure speculation. The economy, the home itself and location determine home prices.

Myth #8. “Voting No is no option. - Of course it is.

Myth #9. “Peachtree Corners will disappear if we are not a city.” - Of course not.

Myth #10. “Vacant buildings will fill up.” - Really. How would this happen?

Myth #11. “We will be annexed into Norcross.” - Not unless a majority of residents vote to do this.

Myth #12. “We will get away from Gwinnett County.” - Not true. Gwinnett County will continue to provide all services except planning and zoning, trash collection and code enforcement. County taxes will not go down.

Now, let’s look at the facts.

Fact #1. “Taxes will go up.” - VoteYes supporters admit this. City taxes are zero now and can be raised. The tax on power bills is zero now - it will go to 2%. Franchise and business license fees can and will be raised. Ad valorem taxes on vehicles will be raised.

Fact #2. “Another layer of government will be added.” - What is another layer of government if not a mayor, city council and dozens of city employees.

Fact # 3. “We don’t need a city.” - We don’t need a city because Gwinnett County performs all the services the new city would perform, with no increase in taxes.

Become an informed voter. Read the facts, and ignore the myths.

Posted By - The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee

AJC Piece on the Proposed City of Peachtree Corners

On October 19th, an Op Ed piece on the new city was published by the AJC.  Here is an excerpt:

“Shall the Act incorporating the City of Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County according to the charter contained in the Act be approved?” The “act” in question is Georgia House Bill 396, a compilation of nearly 35 pages of legalese otherwise known as “the charter.”

What this really means is that you aren’t just voting on the innocuous-sounding idea of a “limited-services” city; you are voting on the charter, a document which lays the groundwork for the formation of a full-fledged taxing, spending and regulating city.

Read the full article

Posted By: Ali

29 Reasons City-lite is Not the Right Label for the Proposed City of Peachtree Corners

The proposed City of Peachtree Corners is billed as a “City-lite”. The City will focus on 3 services: planning and zoning, code enforcement and solid waste disposal. This seems pretty limited on the surface, but a quick read of the Charter shows that these services are really a very small part of the story. Section 1.12 of the Charter lists the following “services” or “powers” the new government would provide the citizenry of Peachtree Corners:

1. Animal regulations...

2. Appropriations and expenditures. To make appropriations … to authorize the expenditure of money for any purposes authorized by this charter and for any purpose for which a municipality is authorized by the laws of the State of Georgia…

3. Building regulation. To regulate and to license the erection and construction of buildings and all other structures; to adopt building, housing, plumbing, electrical, gas, and heating and air-conditioning codes; and to regulate all housing and building trades...

4. Contracts. To enter into contracts and agreements with other governmental entities and with private persons, firms, and corporations...

5. Emergencies. To establish procedures for determining and proclaiming that an emergency situation exists within or outside the city and to make and carry out all reasonable provisions deemed necessary…

6. Environmental protection. To protect and preserve the natural resources, environment, and vital areas of the state through the preservation and improvement …

7. Fire regulations. To fix and establish fire limits and from time to time to extend, enlarge, or restrict the same…

8. General health, safety, and welfare. To define, regulate, and prohibit any act, practice, conduct, or use of property which is detrimental…

9. Gifts. To accept or refuse gifts, donations, bequests, or grants from any source for any purpose related to powers and duties of the city…

10. Health and sanitation. To prescribe standards of health and sanitation and to provide for the enforcement of such standards…

11. Jail sentences. To provide that persons given jail sentences in the municipal court may work out such sentences in any public works or on the streets, roads, drains, and other public property in the city; to provide for commitment of such persons to any jail; or to provide for commitment of such persons to any county work camp or county jail by agreement with the appropriate county officials…

12. Municipal agencies and delegation of power. To create, alter, or abolish departments, boards, offices, commissions, and agencies of the city and to confer upon such agencies the necessary and appropriate authority for carrying out all the powers conferred upon or delegated to the same…

13. Municipal debts. To appropriate and borrow money for the payment of debts of the city and to issue bonds for the purpose of raising revenue to carry out any project, program, or venture…

14. Municipal property ownership. To acquire, dispose of, lease, and hold in trust or otherwise any real, personal, or mixed property…

15. Municipal property protection. To provide for the preservation and protection of property and equipment of the city and the administration…

16. Nuisance. To define a nuisance and provide for its abatement whether on public or private property…

17. Penalties. To provide penalties for violation of any ordinances…

18. Planning and zoning. To provide comprehensive city planning for development by zoning; and to provide subdivision regulation and the like as the city council deems necessary…

19. Public hazards removal. To provide for the destruction and removal of any building or other structure…

20. Public improvements. To provide for the acquisition, construction, building, operation, and maintenance of parks and playgrounds, public grounds, recreational facilities, public buildings, and charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, conservation, and sport institutions, agencies, and facilities; and to regulate the use of public improvements…

21. Public utilities and services. To grant franchises or make contracts for or impose taxes on public utilities and public service companies and to prescribe the rates, fares, regulations…

22. Regulation of roadside areas. To prohibit or regulate and control the erection, removal, and maintenance of signs, billboards, trees, shrubs, fences, buildings, and any and all other structures…

23. Retirement. To provide and maintain a retirement plan for officers and employees of the city…

24. Roadways. To grant franchises and rights of way throughout the streets and roads and over the bridges and viaducts…

25. Special areas of public regulation. To regulate or prohibit junk dealers, pawn shops, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of any intoxicating liquors, alcoholic beverages, and the use of firearms; to regulate the transportation, storage, and use of combustible, explosive, and inflammable materials, the use of lighting and heating equipment, and any other business or situation…

26. Special assessments. To levy and provide for the collection of special assessments to cover the costs for any public improvements…

27. Taxes: ad valorem. To levy and provide for the assessment, valuation, revaluation, and collection of taxes on all property…

28. Taxes: other. To levy and collect such other taxes as may be allowed now or in the future by law…

29. Taxicabs. To regulate and license vehicles operated for hire…

All of these "services" and "powers" require employees, offices, computers, networks, switchboards, transportation, maintenance equipment, maintenance employees, code enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, benefits, human resources, payroll, accounting, collections, contracts managers, etc. etc. etc.

Ask yourself how long one mil will pay the bills on all this? How much debt will the new city incur in start up costs alone? How long will a mayor of the largest city in Gwinnett with all this responsibility work for $9,000 a year?

Posted by: Ali

Five Reasons Business Owners Should Vote No City

1. Occupation and Business Taxes - The city council by ordinance shall have the power to levy such occupation or business taxes… (Charter section 6.12)

2. Licenses, Permits, and Fees - The city council by ordinance shall have the power to require businesses or practitioners doing business in this city to obtain a permit for such activity from the city and pay a regulatory fee for such permit… (Charter Section 6.13)

3. Franchises (AKA Utility Taxes) - The city council shall have the power to grant franchises for the use of this city's streets and alleys for the purposes of railroads, street railways, telephone companies, electric companies, electric membership corporations, cable television and other telecommunications companies, gas companies, transportation companies, and other similar organizations.  (Charter Section 6.14)

4. Service Charges - The city council by ordinance shall have the power to assess and collect fees, charges, and tolls for services provided or made available within and outside the corporate limits of the city… (Charter Section 6.15)

5.Other Taxes (AKA catch-all the taxes you can) - This city shall be empowered to levy any other tax or fee allowed now or hereafter by law… (Charter Section 6.17)

All of these taxes, fees, licenses, and charges are ways for the new city to fund any shortfalls that a low one mil property tax does not fund.  Business owners can expect to pay higher fees and be nickel-n-dimed to death by “enforcers” out to fill the city coffer.  We have already seen several businesses petition Norcross for annexation to avoid coming under a new city hostile to business. 

Posted By: Ali