Council member Greg Lawson added the matter to the agenda and it passed by a 4-1 vote, Ed Liverman voting against it.

At last month’s meeting, Roanoke Rapids City Councilman Carl Ferebee’s motion to approve a resolution supporting the de-annexation of Brandy Creek died for lack of a second.

Lawson said when the community was annexed in 2005 by action of the General Assembly, the people in the area were given no warning. “I think it’s only right to support the resolution and Senate bill.”

Liverman said following the meeting he voted against the measure because of information discussed at last month’s meeting. “To allow de-annexation as requested would create a classic doughnut hole in this portion of the city’s new jurisdiction,” a memo from that meeting says. “This result is typically avoided in annexation planning. The fact that the residents are primarily minority only further complicates the results.”

The memo continues, “Many believe that eliminating minority populated districts from extended city services, particularly in a doughnut hole manner is a form of discrimination. The other critical issue and the reason that such isolated ‘inland’ areas are typically avoided in annexation planning is because it can confuse the provision of services, including public safety and code enforcement.”

The issue on future upkeep of city roads in Brandy Creek and Maria Avenue and other infrastructure still remain, the memo said, while estimated property tax revenue collected from the area has been between $10,000 to $12,000 for the last several years. “Staff’s recommendation is to not request de-annexation from the General Assembly of the ... parcels in the Brandy Creek/Wallace Fork area because of the reasons stated above, including the creation of an ‘island’ of unincorporated territory within our city limits.”

During a public comment section of Tuesday’s meeting, however, two Brandy Creek residents discussed the matter.

“I ask city council to pass the resolution for us,” Louise Williams said. “We’re not getting the services we need. The Brandy Creek roads are terrible. We  are worried about how we’re getting our trash picked up. Please, please, pass this resolution tonight.”

Mildred Patterson said she was disappointed in last month’s vote. “When we go to sleep tonight I hope we will wake up in Weldon.”

Peter Gilbert, an attorney for the UNC Center for Civil Rights, also spoke during the comment section.

He said the state legislature intends to approve a bill that would de-annex the land.

While he understood the doughnut hole principle, Gilbert said he didn’t believe it was an issue in the Brandy Creek debate because the land around it is undeveloped.

After the meeting, Mark Dorosin, also an attorney for the center, said he was pleased with the decision. “It’s a great night for the people. It’s been a long struggle.”

Reversing the decision, Gilbert said, will mean the bill will most likely move more quickly in the legislature.

The land was annexed to make way for development in the Carolina Crossroads Music and Entertainment District.

In other matters Tuesday:

Gordon Pearson was promoted from fire engineer to lieutenant in the Fire Department and Tim Gray was promoted from firefighter to fire engineer.