Turn Out for Town Hall Meeting Larger than Expected

On Monday night some 500 Peachtree Corners residents came to learn more about city-hood for their community.

The turnout was larger than organizers expected for the Peachtree Corners Town Hall meeting on Monday night. Chairs were added as more people arrived, but it was standing-room only for those who arrived too late to grab a seat. Organizers had planned for a little under 300, in the end some 500 residents came to learn just what it would mean for their community to become the county's 16th city. Two speakers, State Rep. Tom Rice (R-Dist 51) and UPCCA president Mike Mason presented the facts and answered questions during the meeting which was held at the Peachtree Corners Baptist Church. Since legislation was passed and signed by Gov. Nathan Deal in May, the movement for city-hood has been in the forefront for the community leaders who have …

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Alex J. Wright

10:51 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sharron, 1) $100 is not a lot to pay if incorporation does nothing more than increase your home value 1%. On a $250k house that would be a $2.5k return on a $100 investment. 2) Incorporating does NOT add another layer of government. It simply replaces one level (county) with another (city). An extra layer would imply that the city has to go to the county every time it needs approval. Governments …   more ›

Technology Park is Economic Engine of Peachtree Corners

The park was the dream of real estate developer and visionary Paul Duke, who invested himself and much of his fortune in creating a quality live-work-play community.

It would be hard to imagine Peachtree Corners without Technology Park. Its 3.8 million square feet of office space spread over 500 acres, provides a creative and esthetically pleasing working environment for 7,000 employees who operate 500 companies involved in changing modern day technology. Travelers Insurance regional headquarters, spread out over 154,000 square feet, occupies the largest footprint. The park's impact on technology and the local economy have been enormous. Technology Park is every bit as much an economic engine for Peachtree Corners as Lake Lanier is for north Georgia. Denise Wagner, the marketing manager for TPA Realty Services estimates that Technology Park and its sister development Johns Creek Technology Park …

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Peachtree Corners Businesses Targeted For Annexation

An active campaign conducted by the City of Norcross has caused concern for businesses in greater Peachtree Corners.

An active annexation campaign conducted by the City of Norcross has caused a stir among businesses in greater Peachtree Corners. The Norcross outreach effort includes an “Invitation to Annex” packet targeting commercial properties within the boundaries of the future proposed City of Peachtree Corners. Recipients are given a letter detailing the benefits of locating inside Norcross city limits and the forms necessary to seek annexation. The documents also state that, “Annexation fees are waived through September 15, 2011.” United Peachtree Corners Civic Association President Mike Mason said an Open Records Act request yielded the mailing list Norcross used for its annexation push. Mason said the city has surprisingly expanded its targeting …

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Planning Commission Votes Thumbs Down on Wal-Mart Plan

Developer's plans for Sturbridge Square Apts. in Peachtree Corners voted down.

Planning authorities this week voted against swapping multi-family housing for retail development in Peachtree Corners. Tuesday night, County Planning Commissioners voted 8-0 to recommend that County Commissioners deny an application from Bright-Meyers 2001 LLC for rezoning 21.21 acres from residential to commercial at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Proposed plans called for replacing the existing Sturbridge Square Apartments with 182,887 square-feet of retail – most likely a Wal-Mart shopping center – and 880 parking spaces. The Planning Commission’s vote followed the recommendation of denial from county staff.  “When we analyzed this, staff noted that the future development map recommends that this …

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Governor Signs Bill for Peachtree Corners to Pursue Cityhood

Voters to decide in November on incorporation.

Wednesday Gov. Nathan Deal signed legislation authorizing the residents of Peachtree Corners to decide by vote in November on whether their community should incorporate and become Gwinnett County's 16th city. It was a momentous occasion for 15 people from the community who made their way to the Capitol Building to watch as the governor signed the bill. It was over in a matter of minutes but it had been a long journey for those who had put in so much effort in reaching this point. For Mike Mason, president of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association (UPCCA), an organization that represents 33 homeowners associations in the community, it was the culmination of countless hours to reach this moment. "We've been excited all day long," …

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Betty

8:25 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011

My I suggest that you go to a meeting and ask questions about anything that you don't understand.   more ›

From the Editor

Peachtree Corners Picks

Five things to know this week.

1. This is a great week to clean out your garage and get rid of that old broken lawnmower or toss out that old metal filing cabinet that's been taking up space in your basement. The Peachtree Corners Baptist Church has arranged to have a recycle bin to accept steel and miscellaneous scrap metal. Proceeds benefit the high school choir. Click here for more details. 2. UPCCA has invited your State Representative, Tom Rice and two Senators, Curt Thompson and Fran Millar to speak tonight at a meeting to be held at the Christ the King Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m. They will provide updates on the immigration bill, tax reform and more. 3. Wednesday is opening night for Norcross High School's Spring Musical, "Annie." There are four performances, …

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UPCCA To Hold 'Hot Topics' Meeting Tonight

Community leaders to discuss current topics important to Peachtree Corners residents.

Tonight at 7:30 the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association (UPCCA) is holding a meeting at the Christ the King Lutheran Church to provide and discuss important information for Peachtree Corners residents. State Rep. Tom Rice (R-Norcross), Dist. 2 County Commissioner Lynette Howard, School Board Representative Mary Kay Murphy and UPCCA's president, Mike Mason will be on hand to provide updates and answer questions. The meeting agenda for tonight: Meeting time and location: Christ the King Lutheran Church 5575 Peachtree Parkway (next to the Wells Fargo Bank) Tonight, March 28 Time: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

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Legislation to Create County's 16th City Introduced to House of Representatives

Peachtree Corners bid for cityhood is making its way through the Georgia Legislation.

House Bill 396, legislation to incorporate Peachtree Corners as a city is now in the House of Representatives. The charter, introduced by Rep. Tom Rice (R-Norcross), would make the west Gwinnett community the county's 16th city. If passed, voters of the community would have the chance this fall to vote on a referendum for cityhood. The bill must pass through the House of Representatives, then to the Senate and finally to the governor's desk. Rice, who lives in Peachtree Corners, authored the charter which calls for a city-lite leval of government which means the new city would have jurisdiction over planning and zoning, code enforcement and trash collection. Other services including law enforcement would be handled by the county. "I think …

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