“This is an opportunity to look at our destiny,” said Johnson, whose district overlaps Prosperity’s proposed borders. “This allows us to really have a vision for that area. When you look at the global picture, sometimes we get left behind.”

Prosperity could become the 11th new city in the Atlanta area since Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005.

A previous effort to create the city of Greenhaven nearby failed last year after residents urged state lawmakers to vote against the idea. Kathryn Rice, a supporter of Greenhaven, said she's hoping legislation to form the city will be reconsidered.

But Prosperity is about half the size of Greenhaven, which would have stretched across south and central DeKalb, making it Georgia’s second-largest city with nearly 300,000 people.

Kevin Polite, who lives near Prosperity’s northern border along Memorial Drive, said many people don’t want to join a city.

“I don’t believe that, just because other cities are doing it, the rest of DeKalb needs to become part of another city,” Polite said. “I really don’t think we need any more cityhoods.”

Prosperity would follow the model laid by the new city of Stonecrest, whose supporters wanted a locally controlled government that could promote economic development. Voters approved creating Stonecrest, located in southeast DeKalb near I-20, in a November referendum.

Both Stonecrest and another new city, South Fulton, will begin operations after holding their first elections in March.

View a map of the proposed city of Prosperity by clicking here.