GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A big step Sunday for the soon-to-be city of Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County.
Hundreds of people gathered in a hotel ballroom as the city's first mayor and six city council members were sworn in.
The city charter will take effect on July 1.
Immediately the area will become Gwinnett County's largest city with a population of 38,000 residents.
The implementation of the city has been a dream of many residents for a long time.
"We had to get it off the dining room table," said Pat Bruschini, of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association.
The city snuggles the banks of the Chattahoochee River along the Fulton and western Gwinnett county line. It's comprised of more than 33 neighborhoods along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Highway 141.
"I got tired of people asking me where I live, I'd say well I have a Duluth mailing address -- but I live in Peachtree Corners." Bruschini said.
Peachtree Corners is the latest in a series of north suburban communities to create a city in an effort to better control local issues. Incoming Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason said he's been consulting with the leaders of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Johns Creek and Milton to learn from their recent experiences.
Unlike those cities, Peachtree Corners will be a city-like model. Most services will continue to be managed and provided by Gwinnett County. That will included police and fire protection, libraries and park services. The new city will handle planning, zoning and code enforcement.
"We want to make sure they understand we aren't going to duplicate what Gwinnett is going to do, we're simply going to provide some and they are going to provide some." Mason said just after being sworn in as mayor.
The city council will hold its first official meeting Tuesday night at a local church. The mayor admits he's nervous. It's going to be a big job to get an entire city going in less than three months.
"It's 75 days or something like that, so we need to get going," Mason said.
WSBTV
