Governor Brian P. Kemp has put the possibility of a new city on the map for Gwinnett County folks, giving a green light to legislation calling for a vote on Mulberry cityhood, officials said. The proposed City of Mulberry, tucked away in northeast Gwinnett, could become a reality if voters approve the initiative.
House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, hailing from the heart of the proposed city, was jazzed about the governor's signing of Senate Bill 333. "I am very pleased that the governor signed SB 333,” he remarked. “This is an exciting opportunity for residents in northeast Gwinnett to gain local control over planning and zoning decisions without imposing a city property tax," Efstration shared with Senate Press. An Auburn resident himself, Efstration has been a loud cheerleader for the cityhood cause and plans to stay hot on the campaign trail supporting Mulberry when the residents take to the ballot box.
This legislative win also scored a touchdown for Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), who's been tackling zoning headaches in his district. The senator highlighted the significance of the bill, its swift journey through the political machine, and the potential to shift power back to citizens’ hands. “I am grateful to see this vital piece of legislation swiftly cross the finish line,” Dixon stated. “SB 333 will greatly impact my constituents of the 45th Senate District, who have been negatively affected by zoning issues in our area," according to the announcement from Senate Press.
With Kemp's ink dry on the bill, the idea of Mulberry cityhood will be pitched to the very people it aims to serve. The clock will soon start on a local campaign as the decision day draws closer for Gwinnett County inhabitants. These developments put the ball squarely in the court of voters who will weigh in on whether they desire this new chapter in local governance—a catch that could mean more autonomy, particularly concerning the desirable, yet thorny issue of zoning.
