Residents push for city of Briarcliff in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County may get yet another city. Channel 2 Action News confirmed some residents have completed Articles of Incorporation in hope of creating the city of Briarcliff.

The proposed boundaries of Briarcliff include Interstate 85, Interstate 285 and the cities of Atlanta, Decatur and Avondale Estates to the south.

Briarcliff would have a population of 92,000, making it nearly double the size of the next-largest DeKalb County city, Brookhaven.

Brookhaven became a city within the last year. The county's newest city has 49,000 residents.

The group backing the proposal wants a feasibility study to investigate if it is economical to create the city of Briarcliff.

"I think it's a great idea. I think it would feed in and support a lot of business and the area," said DeKalb County resident Cami Morley.

"I think it's interesting. I think it has some merit, I don't know fully all the pros and cons, but I think some local control could be a good thing," longtime resident Cary Shackelford said.

Briarcliff is the latest proposed city in northern DeKalb County.

Another proposed city is Lakeside. A portion of Briarcliff is also included in Lakeside.

Tom Branch lives in that area and he told Channel 2's Erica Byfield his neighbors are buzzing about possible cityhood.

"Everyone is talking about it in the area. I'm not completely sold. I think we get pretty good service from the county, really," Branch said.

In the coming weeks there will be a series of public meetings to discuss possible creation of Briarcliff.

The cityhood process can take years. The Georgia legislature must vote on the measure before residents have an opportunity to cast ballots.

WSBTV