The Dawsonville City Council on Monday night heard the first reading of a request to annex nearly 80 acres of county land into the city limits.

The Branchwater Holdings property, located just east of Duck Thurmond Road on Hwy. 53 West, is adjacent to the Atlanta Motorsports Park in western Dawson County.

Owners Yvette and John Daniel III told council members the annexation and restricted agriculture zoning that has also been requested are consistent with the racetrack's zoning.

Adjacent parcels previously purchased by Branchwater Holdings from the Elliott family have already been annexed into the city.

"We would like for all Daniel and Branchwater Holdings properties to exist under the City of Dawsonville's jurisdiction," the Daniels wrote in their application letter.

No site or conceptual plans were submitted.

"... as we do not have plans for development at this time," they said.

Branchwater Holdings and the Daniel family also owns three additional adjacent properties, all together totaling about 421 acres.

Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan said he saw no issues that would delay or prevent the annexation.

However, county officials on Tuesday said a letter of objection will be sent to the city.

"The issue we have is the request for immediate change to the zoning," said Commission Chairman Mike Berg.

A previous agreement between the city and county calls for annexed property to remain zoned as AP (annexed property) for one year.

The Daniels have asked that the property be immediately zoned RA (restricted agriculture) once annexed into the city, a measure City Attorney Dana Miles said would be allowed in this case since the property is currently zoned restricted agriculture in the county.

The second and final hearing on the annexation request will be held during the council's April 4 meeting.