Community Corner

Judge Slams Brakes on Century Center Annexation, Council Defers Vote

The order prevents the city from moving forward with its proposed annexation at least until the next court hearing.

A DeKalb County Superior Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the city of Brookhaven prohibiting it from moving forward with its proposed annexation of Century Center, Chamblee City Councilman Thomas Hogan said Monday.

The order issued by Judge Courtney L. Johnson – a ruling in Chamblee's favor – would remain in place until the court's next hearing on the issue, which would be between 20 and 30 days from now, Hogan said on his Facebook page Monday evening. Hogan attributed his information to Chamblee's acting City Manager Marc Johnson.

The Brookhaven City Council gave the annexation and a proposed rezoning of the commercial district along Clairmont Road west of Buford Highway a first reading Monday night. It was scheduled to quickly give a second and final reading Tuesday night, but, following a motion by District 4 Councilman Joe Gebbia, the council voted to defer the second reading until its Aug. 13 meeting.

"I think it's important for the citizens to realize that Brookhaven is taking its time to be deliberate about this," District 3 Councilman Bates Mattison said. "I think it's important for Brookhaven and Chamblee to continue a dialogue, and, hopefully, this gives us some time to do that."

In a story first reported on Patch, Century Center's owners have petitioned to become part of Brookhaven, and the city notified DeKalb County on July 1 of its intent to annex the complex. Chamblee has been seeking to annex Century Center into its boundaries for the past two years.

Chamblee residents also will vote in a scheduled referendum on their annexation of Century Center in November. Hogan attended Tuesday's Brookhaven City Council meeting.

“In the event [Brookhaven] were to vote in favor of a reckless annexation, you could bet it would be for two months because the referendum would take precedence over a self-serving city council,” Hogan said, according to Reporter Newspapers.


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