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Page 2A LOCAL The Champion, Thursday, Feb. 19 - 25, 2015 Decatur sued over annexation by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Two residents have filed a lawsuit against Decatur over an annexation that occurred in 2013 along Midway Road. According to the lawsuit, a sig nature on an annexation petition done by the city was not of the actual homeowner. Kevin Polite, one of the plaintiffs, said the petition for annex ation of the properties at 2578-2612 Midway Road is invalid, which led to him and Eunice Elise Young to file the lawsuit. “The city of Decatur did not follow all of the prescribed require ments of Article 2 of OCGA Chapter 36, Title 36 in regards to the annexa tion,” Polite wrote in an email. “This law is called the 100 percent annexa tion and requires the signatures of all homeowners.” Decatur approved annexing five properties on Midway in March 2013, through the 100 percent petition method. The lawsuit claims that one property owner was out of the coun try and gave his wife permission to sign the petition in his absence. “This invalidates the petition as the actual homeowner, the person on the deed, must sign,” Polite said. “Peggy Merriss, Decatur city manag er, in an email wrote that in fact, yes, the homeowner wife, who is not on the deed, signed the petition. How ever, it is Ms. Merriss’ and Decatur’s contention that they do not have to follow these laws.” According to the lawsuit, Merriss said that the homeowner “consented verbally” that his wife could sign the petition. The suit also claims that Young was unaware her property had been annexed, not knowing what she had signed. Polite said that when Merriss was made aware that Young was unaware of what she had signed and that her home was annexed, Merriss said that Young and all property owners were notified of the annexation via the U.S. Postal Service between May and July 2013. The suit is seeking to declare the annexation null and void, and “award plaintiffs their reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees, that they have incurred.” Residents in the Druid Hills area are trying to keep their community intact by saying “no” to Decatur’s annexation plan. Druid Hills organization opposes Decatur’s annexation plan by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Another community is saying “no” to Decatur’s an nexation master plan. The Druid Hills Civic Association (DHCA) an nounced its opposition to the annexation plan Jan. 27. The group joined the Med- lock Area Neighborhood Association and Clairmont Heights Civic Association in speaking out against the plan. On its website DHCA officials said it opposes “any city annexation proposal that includes a significant amount of commercial property while excluding the surrounding residential area, thereby reducing the tax base needed to support that residential area.” Decatur city officials re leased their annexation mas ter plan report Dec. 8, 2014. The plan proposes adding various areas, including some west and northwest of the city. The area includes properties of the CSX rail line, and north of the city limit along Clairmont Av enue to North Decatur Road and along North Decatur Road east to the city limits. “We are especially con cerned that the proposed Decatur annexation includes the commercial intersection of North Decatur and Clair mont Roads,” the post reads. “This area adjoins Druid Hills and is the primary neighborhood retail district for Druid Hills and the sur rounding area.” The group posted the link to a petition that asks the DeKalb County legisla tive delegation to nix any plans of annexing commer cial properties. While DHCA opposes Decatur’s annexation plan, it has announced its sup port for annexation into Atlanta. The board voted Nov. 19, 2014 to recommend a referendum on annexation into Atlanta. The board said Druid Hills residents cited schools, taxes, services, pre serving the historic district, and remaining in the same jurisdiction as Emory Uni versity as the main factors of annexation into Atlanta, according to a survey the group conducted. FAST TAX REFUND/FREE QUOTE Filing Single, Come Mingle Feb. 18th 4-7pm CalaBar and Grill, I/' si 4144 Redan Road, Stone Mountain PGA TAX CONSULTANTS LLC 4600 Rockbridge Rd. St D, Stone Mountain PH: 404.883.3204 FAX: 404.883.3514 www.PGATAX.com CLAUDIA G. LAWSON Tax Commissioner DeKalb County, GA ATTENTION ALL DEKALB COUNTY HOMEOWNERS The 2015 Property Tax Exemption Deadline is Fast Approaching! If you owned and resided in a home in DeKalb County on January 1 st , you may apply for a Basic Homestead Exemption and Property Assessment Freeze with the County by April 1 st of this year. The home must be your primary domicile and legal residence for all purposes, including the registration of your vehicles and the filing of your Federal and State income taxes. Applications received after April 1 st will be processed for 2016. In addition to the basic homestead exemption available to all homeowners, there are special exemptions available for residents 62 and older, disabled veterans or their un remarried spouses, and other disabled residents. Eligibility for special exemptions is based upon age or disability, total household income, and must be applied for in person. When applying, please bring your State and Federal income tax forms, Social Security 1099, and any other forms of income you may receive, to one of our three offices across the County. North Office 1358 Dresden Dr., NE Atlanta, GA 30319 Main Office 4380 Memorial Dr. Suite 100 Decatur, GA 30032 South Office 2801 Candler Rd. #66 South DeKalb Mall Decatur, GA 30034 Remember, the deadline for applying for all homesteads is April 1 st ! Apply for the Basic Homestead Exemption, the Property Assessment Freeze, or renew your tag registration online at: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner Questions? Call (404) 298-4000 or email us proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov