GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The decision on whether or not a new city will be established in northern Gwinnett County will now lie in the hands of its voters.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill Tuesday to create the new city of Mulberry. Now, residents living within the proposed city's boundaries will get to vote on whether Mulberry should be created -- a decision that would create the county's 17th city. The measure will be on the May 21 election ballot.
Last Thursday, House members voted 101-63 in favor of the measure after senators approved it the week prior. The bill was then sent to Kemp's desk for approval.
This unincorporated area of Gwinnett County has a Buford address now, but that could change.
Backers and critics of the new city agree that it started with unease over a rezoning issue off Hamilton Mill Road – a proposed high-density apartment complex unpopular with neighbors.
"These residents do not feel represented," said state Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford), the bill sponsor, speaking in the senate chamber.
Dixon said the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners had been disregarding the opinions of residents. Sen. Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson) hinted the opposition was rooted in bigotry.
"We’re seeing this pattern of, I don’t want it in my backyard. I don’t want those people coming in my backyard. I want to create a boundary of my own and consolidate my affluency. And I want to keep certain people out," Merritt told senators.
Merritt said the zoning issue didn’t become a cityhood issue until Republican lawmakers got involved. But backers say their bill would give local residents better local control over issues arising in their community.
However, in a letter sent to Merritt and Georgia Rep. Dewey McClain (D-109) on Jan. 22, it appears the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is somewhat opposed to the new city, calling for them to slow down the "expedited" process and to follow the normal two-year process.
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman sent the letter to the lawmakers stating the board had worked to assess the potential impact of the legislation. The letter wrote that because of the evaluation, there are concerns the new proposed City of Mulberry would bring "significant revenue loss, financial consequences for Gwinnett, the current sixteen cities, and the residents and businesses of the proposed City, constitutional concerns over the legislation's "City Lite" and zoning moratorium provisions, and the expedited timeline that will not allow the time that has customarily been afforded for the careful study and thoughtful deliberation of incorporation proposals by the General Assembly."
The City of Mulberry bill passed the Senate with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. The Republican caucus leader lives in the area and is one of the bill’s biggest backers.