The Proposed City of Tucker
Added March 3, 2014 - A new map for the proposed City of Tucker, as developed by Tucker 2014 for filing with the city charter bill in the General Assembly.
The proposed new City of Tucker would be located in northeast DeKalb County, Georgia. The map illustrates central core area based on a longstanding CDP designation from the US Census Bureau. Around it are found four adjacent areas, each with their own identity, which may be included within the new city boundaries.
Added March 3, 2014 - A new map for the proposed City of Tucker, as developed by Tucker 2014 for filing with the city charter bill in the General Assembly.
The proposed new City of Tucker would be located in northeast DeKalb County, Georgia. The map illustrates central core area based on a longstanding CDP designation from the US Census Bureau. Around it are found four adjacent areas, each with their own identity, which may be included within the new city boundaries.
Henderson Elementary and Middle are out of the map, but Henderson Park stays in? I hope that this initiative identifies the leadership driving this site as LCA has. Again, without identifying leadership, homeowners cannot identify with the movement.If I have missed the "About Us" portion on this site, I apologize.
ReplyDeleteWHY ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PUSHING FOR CITY OF TUCKER , CURRENTLY LIVING IN SMOKE RISE (STONE MOUNTAIN) LOOK INTO IT THIS HAS AN UNDERLYING POLITICAL TONE, ELAINE BOYER LIVES IN SMOKERISE. WHY DID THE CID LEAVE COFER BROTHERS OUT OF THE TAX BASE? AGAIN SAME MO. OPEN YOUR EYES TUCKER
DeleteWill the small part of Tucker in Gwinnett be included?
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, all of the new cities created in the last ten years have not crossed their respective county lines. I think there has been a general understanding that crossing a county line was not allowed by state law. However, when I took a hard look at the OCGA and the Georgia State Constituion, I could find no provisions whatsoever that precluded any new city from doing so. In fact, there are provisions that DO allow a city to annex areas in an adjacent county, suggesting that the state was largely indifferent to the question.
DeleteSo, for the moment, I don't feel there is any great motivation right now for Tucker supporters to complicate the issue by reaching into Gwinnett. With different school systems, different water and sewage systems, and different taxing authorities, among other concerns, it can be a just a bit too much of a challenge. But should the Tucker movement gain momentum, and if our Gwinnett neighbors clamor to be made a part of the city, it would certainly be considered.
Perhaps the best way to approach this particular question is to allow Tucker in DeKalb to form and get established. Then, at some future date, if the Gwinnett side of Tucker is truly serious about joining a City of Tucker, then both sides of the county line can take a hard look at annexation.
I know that I would love to see this happen for Tucker in Gwinnett due to the lack of infrastructure in my area i.e. street lights and side walks on Britt Rd by towards the county line. It is a busy road and I know of several people that have to walk on the side of it. I personally have to walk about a mile to the nearest MARTA stop in order to get to school in the morning and there have been several times where I have almost been hit. So for me and others walking this section of Britt Rd sidewalks would be great.
DeleteWhat are the boundaries of the Tucker Commercial Improvement District (CID)?
ReplyDeleteHow does the formation of the CID interplay with this map/leadership effort?
The Tucker CID is briefly described on the post 'Tucker's Community Improvement Districts (CID), which was posted on the blog on April 19th. The post includes a simple map of the proposed City of Tucker with both the Tucker and Stone Mt. CID's indicated. Links to the CID websites are also available.
DeleteAlthough the leaders of the CID's may feel otherwise, a new city encompassing the CID's will have no adverse affect on them whatsoever. As they are self-taxing districts, they will continue to receive their funding directly from the county, and will continue to generate, fund and manage their own proposed improvement projects. Any future city government will gladly welcome their efforts to improve the community and bring new business to Tucker.
The only real difference is that any and all zoning, building code and planning changes or projects will have to reviewed and approved by the new City planning and zoning office, no longer by DeKalb County. All in all, this particular change should be considered a good thing, as the approval process would be handled by Tucker residents instead of through the local county commissioner and the nameless bureaucrats with the county.
WHY ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PUSHING FOR CITY OF TUCKER , CURRENTLY LIVING IN SMOKE RISE (STONE MOUNTAIN) LOOK INTO IT THIS HAS AN UNDERLYING POLITICAL TONE, ELAINE BOYER LIVES IN SMOKERISE. WHY DID THE CID LEAVE COFER BROTHERS OUT OF THE TAX BASE? AGAIN SAME MO. OPEN YOUR EYES TUCKER
DeletePerhaps you need to get your facts straight, and maybe learn how to write properly and argue effectively before you post, here or anywhere else.
DeleteFrom what I know, I am the ONLY Smoke Rise resident actively pushing for the City of Tucker. The other well known Tucker community activists who reside in Smoke Rise are either non-supportive, neutral, or supportive but laying low. Perhaps you might identify who these horrible people are.
Yes, Elaine Boyer, the only Republican member of the county Board of Commissioners, does live in Smoke Rise. So what? She also represents Dunwoody, Doraville, Chamblee and a good chunk of Brookhaven. From what I've seen and heard, she is not actively pushing for Tucker's incorporation and has, on a few occasions, actually acted AGAINST the Tucker community's interests (i.e. the TMS meeting fiasco, John's Homestead.) She has never attended ANY of the recent incorporation group presentations(though her chief of staff is usually there), despite the fact this process will have a profound effect upon the county and her constituents. And once Tucker incorporates, she will lose the last vestige of any real personal power she has in the area, i.e. the sole responsibility as a commissioner to approve zoning and planning changes. So, I seriously doubt if Ms. Boyer is behind all this.
And to your last point, it's my understanding that ALL Cofer Brother properties within the Tucker CID boundaries are fully obligated to pay the additional tax for the CID. No exceptions. The CID rules work on a majority vote basis, and there is no option to opt out. I personally have no idea if the Cofer's were for or against forming the CID, but once the CID was approved, they are in it regardless. If you have information and proof to the contrary, I would love to see it. Otherwise, shut up.
As I understand it, from some Facebook postings by a member of the Cofer family, the Cofers were left out of any planning for the Tucker CID and were basically unaware it had formed until they were presented with a tax bill.
DeleteSmokerise absolutely should be included in a City of Tucker. Until a few years ago, Smokerise residents had Tucker addresses. And, it makes sense from geography. Pleasantdale also makes sense for the same reason. Sadly, I cannot say the same about Northlake or Ponce. While I would like to include those areas becasue they could affect quality of life in Tucker, I-85 and US 78 make logical boundries.
ReplyDeleteCorrection, I meant I-285 and US 78 make logical boundries (as does the Gwinnett County line.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that a proposal that doesn't include the larger Smokerise residential AND more importantly the Northlake commercial district is not a sustainable tax base. Cities need commercial corridors as well as residential space. I know that "Lakeside" also has it's cap set on the Northlake commercial and a large chunk of the Tucker residential. However, if a Tucker initiative goes forward, it should be "true" to the essence of what long-term residents consider Tucker. I think that includes the "additional" areas.
ReplyDeleteLet me first say that I am perfectly satisfied living in unincorporated DeKalb County. We receive excellent county services at a reasonable cost. However, I have a strong sense of history, and I am loath to see Tucker cease to exist as an identifiable community. If incorporation is the way to keep Tucker whole, then I am for it. It is illogical to think that taxes will not go up when a new layer of government is added. I am willing to accept those new taxes to save Tucker as a community.
ReplyDeleteDavid Bundrick
Tucker
Your comments are spot on, David. I, too, am satisfied with DeKalb services and would like to see everything stay the same. If we must have a new city I'd rather go with an established base like Tucker than an imaginary city like Lakeside. And of course taxes will rise with more government.
DeleteI am very content living in unincorporated Tucker. I do not want to add another layer of government and I personally cannot afford the additional taxes. This will force me to sell my house and move. I am listening to the leader of the Tucker initiative and frankly I cannot emphasize enough how little he knows. He thinks the Blue Ribbon Grill is still owned by Ludlow Porch. He is not current and he has not asked me, nor has anyone else, how I feel about this. They are not addressing how this will hurt people. I have a feeling he is in it only for the power he will grab and the taxpayer money he will pocket.
DeleteI am in the Evansdale school district and my kids will go to Lakeside. Since my kid will go to Lakeside I am not sure why Tucker would think that my area is one of its CORE areas. I am in the area of the soon to be City of Lakeside. I support the Lakeside Cityhood effort.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that your children should have to go to Lakeside (although, I can understand them going to Henderson MS). If Tucker becomes a city and the bill currently under consideration related to cities controling their schools passes, then your children WILL benefit from living in the city of Tucker. Tucker High is an International Baccalaureate school. Once upon a time, the Atlanta International School was the only school in Atlanta that offered an IB program and that was VERY pricey. Control over who is allowed to attend, as Decatur schools do, will improve Tucker HS's standing. Do NOT be fooled...bussing is alive and well in Georgia and more so in DeKalb than any where else. Come on board with Tucker and your property values and schools WILL improve.
DeleteI believe most of us in the Evansdale school neighborhood believe that our property would be better served associated with Lakeside City. We want to stay associated with Lakeside HS. This does not mean we don't care about the city of Tucker. It is very close to us and we support her businesses. We do not want Henderson Middle School split between Tucker and Lakeside City residents. This was the case back when my children attended before the Tucker Middle school was created and it was a bad idea. Henderson was our high school and was clearly the closest school to us. From talking with my neighbors we really want to stay connected to Henderson and to Lakeside and want to be part of Lakeside City.
DeleteAs another household in the Evansdale district, we couldn't agree more. We identify with Lakeside, not Tucker. It is not an anti-Tucker sentiment; we just feel more connected to the Lakeside community than to Tucker's.
DeleteJust happened to notice something on the close up view of the proposed Tucker area as relates to Smoke Rise. Why is it that a big chunk or all of Smoke Rise Country Club is excluded? Seems rather arbitrary.
ReplyDeleteDepends on which map your're looking at (I added the current map as proposed by Tucker2014 earlier this week).
DeleteThe original map, first drawn in 2007, does not exclude any part of Smoke Rise proper. I have always disagreed with the newer Tucker maps as they have included the apartment complexes off of Juliette Road. Those residents have little interest in Tucker as they go to Stone Mountain schools and are more likely to shop, attend church and conduct business outside of Tucker. My maps have always excluded those areas. At least until recently, as I have opted to conform to the Tucker version to a point, although I will always argue that that particular area should be removed.
The 'big chunk' that you may be referring to includes only a Pentecostal Church and a Georgia Power service yard, and can only be accessed by Juliette Road on a bridge crossing the Stone Mountain Freeway. These two properties ADJOIN the Country Club and other Smoke Rise properties, on their rear property lines, but they cannot be accessed or serviced from the north, except by golf cart. So to me, if we were to exclude the developments along Juliette Road, it makes perfect sense to also include the two properties north of US78, hence the 'big chunk.'
I am perfectly satisfied living in unincorporated DeKalb County. We receive excellent county services at a reasonable cost. If I were asked I would state that I live in Stone Mountain GA as that is where my mailing address designates me. I do not want to change. I do not wish to pay higher taxes for no particular improvement in my live style.
ReplyDeletei agree that it makes no sense to pay more taxes for no additional services. I don't want to change, either. There are a lot of people who cannot afford the additioinal taxes and no one is looking out for us.
DeleteWell, I have been looking for answers and I got a few reading this blog. I am in the process of looking for a house and someone told me to take note of the two cities trying to form. So one question for you is how sure can you be of the minimizing of those enrolled in the schools? There are several marta stops right by THS, so you really can't monitor who should really be there and shouldn't. I have also looked in the Smoke Rise areas and they offer quite a few houses with nice price tags, but it's a proposed area. I see that is more of a definite than the area around Pleasantdale, because that now goes over toward Lakeside. And why include where Stn Mtn Middle or Henderson MS? And if this goes right, population may expand, will any other new schools be built to accomodate.....only THS at the moment.
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ReplyDelete