The Habersham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to formally object to the City of Baldwin’s proposed annexation of nearly 100 acres along Duncan Bridge Road and Ga. 365.
Under Georgia law, counties cannot block annexations outright but may object if they can demonstrate a “material increase in burden” on county services. Commissioners cited concerns about increased traffic, emergency response demands, and a significant shift in zoning intensity as grounds for filing an objection with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The property is currently designated Low Intensity under county zoning, but Baldwin’s proposal would allow higher-intensity commercial development, including drive-through restaurants, banks, and grocery stores.
Traffic estimates presented to the board suggest a potential shopping center on the site could generate roughly 24,000 vehicle trips per day, compared to current traffic counts of about 28,000 vehicles daily on nearby Ga. 365. County officials also reviewed crash data at key intersections in the area, noting that Habersham County provides EMS services countywide and could see increased response demands.
If the objection is filed before the early March deadline, the matter will move into a state-managed dispute resolution process that could include negotiation and, if necessary, arbitration.
County officials also raised questions about whether the required notification was properly provided to the Habersham County Board of Education when the annexation was initiated.
The annexation proposal will now proceed through the state review framework as discussions between the county and Baldwin continue.
