The City of Stonecrest

Jason Lary and his Seal
for the City of Stonecrest

The Proposed New City of Stonecrest

An article posted today in the On Common Ground News describes the proposed new City of Stonecrest, located in the far southeastern corner of DeKalb County. Led by Jason Lary, the new city has the support of Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Sr., (D) Decatur, representing Senate District 43, which includes the Stonecrest area.

The article on the City of Stonecrest can be found here.

Update:  Newer maps of Stonecrest can be found here.

Maps of Stonecrest can be found here.

The Andrew Young School

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is one of the two organizations prequalified to perform the city feasibility study required by the State as part of the incorporation process.  Their website can be found here.

A sample of one of their studies can be found here.  This was a study performed by AYS on behalf of DeKalb County concerning the revenue impact upon the County resulting from the incorporation of Dunwoody.

From the Fact Sheet on the AYSPS website:

The Carl Vinson Institute

State law requires that any proposed new city first have a financial feasibility study conducted by either the Carl Vinson Institute: The University of Georgia or by The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies: Georgia State University.  These studies will cost each organizing committee approximately $30,000, and must be completed before any municipal incorporation bill moves forward in the Georgia General Assembly.

Attached are three recent studies conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute for the newest cities in DeKalb County, Dunwoody and Brookhaven, and for the newest city in Gwinnett County, Peachtree Corners.

These are being made available to those who would like to understand exactly what the studies do, what they may contain, and how they reach their conclusions.

State Government in the City of Tucker

Following are maps indicating state legislators and the areas they represent within the proposed City of Tucker.

The Georgia House of Representatives in Tucker

The Georgia Senate in Tucker

Schools in the City of Tucker

Schools in the City of Tucker

The City of Tucker public schools are all part of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD).  There is one high school within the City, Tucker High School, while the proposed city boundaries also include areas assigned to both Lakeside and Stone Mountain High Schools.

Tucker High School's feeder schools includes Tucker Middle School and Livsey, Midvale, Smoke Rise Charter, Brockett and Idlewood Elementary Schools.

Lakeside High School's feeder schools with students living inside the City include Henderson Middle School, and Pleasantdale, Evansdale, Henderson Mill and Briarlake Elementary Schools.

Stone Mountain High School's feeder schools include Stone Mountain Middle School and Stone Mill Elementary School, although there will be no students actually living within the City, as the included areas are 100% commercial.

A common question regarding forming a new City is whether or not this would also allow the City to form an independent school district, wholly separate from DCSD.  The answer is a definite NO, as the Georgia State Constitution specifically disallows the creation of new school districts within the state.  A constitutional amendment will be required to allow the creation of a new independent school system.  Some state legislators have begun the process of enacting a bill to allow a statewide vote on such a constitutional amendment which, if it ever happens, will be several years in the making.

Commercial Areas in the City of Tucker

City of Tucker Commercial Areas

This map delineates commercial areas found in the City of Tucker.  By area, these areas constitute approximately 30% of the total area of Tucker.  Major commercial areas include downtown Tucker, Stone Mountain Industrial Park, the Royal Atlanta Industrial Park, Northlake Mall and the Lawrenceville Highway / Hugh Howell Road corridor.

Review of the Population of the City of Tucker

City of Tucker Population

This map reviews the current population data for the proposed City of Tucker through the use of information from the US Census, 2010.

For the proposed City of Tucker, as shown:
 - Total Population 49,831   White 54% / African American  29% / Other  17%

For the Tucker CDP:
 - Total Population 27,581   White 63% / African American  22% / Other  15%

For DeKalb County:
 - Total Population  691,893   White  33% / African American  54% / Other  13%

The City of Tucker would constitute 7% of the total population of DeKalb County.
The Tucker CDP would constitute 4% of the total population of DeKalb County.

Voting Districts in the City of Tucker

Voting Districts in the City of Tucker

On February 27, 2014, Tucker 2014 developed a new map for Tucker, showing 3 Voting Districts. According to Tucker 2014, there will be a total of 6 City Councilmen where 3 are elected from just from within each district, and 3 are elected city wide, but the candidates for each of the 3 large districts must come from just one district. For example, for the District 4 seat, all candidates must reside in District 1, but are elected by a city wide vote.

(This paragraph and map are now VOID.)
The City of Tucker shall have a 5 member City Council, each Councilman to represent approximately 10,000 residents.  The proposed city government will use the Strong Mayor / City Council / City Manager format.  The Mayor will chair the City Council, but will only vote in the case of a tie.  The Mayor will have the power to appoint the City Manager, with the approval of the Board, set the Board meeting agenda, and have the power of veto.  The Board can override the Mayor's veto with a super-majority of 4 to 1.

The Proposed New City of Tucker, Georgia

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.