New Survey Calls for Community input on Brookhaven Annexation or Cityhood

The conversation about Brookhaven becoming its own community or embracing an annexation with another town will now be recorded in a new local online survey created by the Ashford Alliance Community Association.

The survey foll0ws the announcement by Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-80) last week of his intention to introduce a bill that would pave the way for annexation of North Brookhaven neighborhoods.

Rabbi Scott Saulson, president of the alliance, said in phone interview last week that he was unaware of discussions surrounding annexation when asked about Jacobs' intention to introduce the bill, but would enact the survey on the website to take an informal poll of what residents wanted. The survey will stay active until March 30.

Jacobs since issued a statement this week to constituents amending his thoughts after he said area residents wrote him in droves expressing their desire to explore cityhood or possibly annexing with Chamblee. Jacobs had but has since amended the wording to include Chamblee.

Jacobs said he received almost 100 emails regarding his bill that would give the option for North Brookhaven neighborhoods – Murphey Candler, West Nancy Creek Drive and Silver Lake – to annex into Dunwoody or Chamblee. Jacobs said the emails were 3-1 in favor of exploring cityhood options.

“A surprising number of residents also expressed interest in the creation of a new City of Brookhaven,” he said. “I am open to this option as well.”

Jacobs said he would table his bill to allow for annexation in the 2012 season.

Jacobs also pointed out that citizens in the North Brookhaven of unincorporated DeKalb County have a higher tax burden than those living in the city of Dunwoody. Taxes are slightly higher in Chamblee, though senior citizens pay no taxes, Jacobs said.

He stressed that he feels such options could give Brookhaven residents better services and more local control, over current DeKalb County services.

“Our neighboring cities are more efficient, furnish better services, and because they are conservatively managed, enjoy a similar or lower tax burden compared to what we pay,” he wrote. “Citizens have made it clear that they’re interested in exploring municipal options for our community. I look forward to continuing this conversation.”

Jacobs said he’ll be hosting neighborhood meetings with the Murphey Candler Homeowners Association and Byrnwyck Community Association on the topic.

He has scheduled a meeting on the topic on March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of Chamblee United Methodist Church, 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.

Dunwoody Editor Peter Cox contributed to this report.