ATLANTA-Simon Properties' 1.9-million-sf Mall of Georgia--the largest regional retail center in the state--is on the annexation front burner again, but neither the owner nor Gwinnett County officials will comment formally on the issue.
But Buford city officials informally tell local sources they would not be averse to considering annexation of the trophy property if Simon officials broached the subject. Gwinnett County officials adamantly oppose such a move.
The county successfully fought off a similar annexation move by Buford in 2001 by suing the city in state court. At that time, the city planned to annex 2.4 acres of county land near the mall and 1,000 feet outside the city limits. State law permits such an annexation if the city and landowner agree and if the land is adjacent to the city.
Simon's benefits would be lower city property taxes which could translate to a potential savings of $1 million year, local sources familiar with the controversy tell Globest.com. Simon officials in the past have declined to comment on the issue.
For Gwinnett County, the annexation issue has always been huge. For example, if the Mall of Georgia area were annexed by Buford, the county would still be obligated to supply water, sewer and other services to the annexed areas, local planners studying the issue tell GlobeSt.com.
"This whole annexation issue is about control," a local planner tells GlobeSt.com. "When the county designates certain development areas for various real estate categories, such as residential, office, industrial, retail or multifamily, a city can come along and cut a deal with a developer or landowner to annex a property and completely destroy the county's good-growth plan."
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