Mount Airy, citizens settle annexation dispute

From the Winston-Salem Journal (June 2, 2006):

Mount Airy, people settle City delays annexation; residents call off lawsuit

The city of Mount Airy and 500 residents in two affluent communities north of the city have settled a lawsuit that challenged the legality of an annexation there more than three years ago.

Last night, the board of commissioners adopted a resolution that delays the effective date of the annexation to June 30, 2008.

In exchange, the homeowners have agreed to drop their plans to pursue the case further. In February, the N.C. Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal by the residents, who say that Mount Airy officials did not follow state law in trying to make the Cross Creek and Laurel Hills areas part of the city.

Residents were prepared to keep challenging the annexation, but in the past two months, there was an opinion among the group that too much money on both sides had already been spent.

Residents have spent about $100,000 in legal fees. The city of Mount Airy has spent as much.

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