Johnson City commissioners voted to a 2 to 2 tie concerning the attempt to annex property in Gray on Thursday. With litigation pending Vice Mayor Phil Carriger abstained from voting. Gray residents were pleased as they left the Municipal and Safety Building. It was first thought there would be no second reading or public hearing of the ordinance after the U.S. District Court in Greeneville delivered an emergency temporary restraining order, however Knoxville Judge Leon Jordan who was assigned to consider the restraining order and law suit against the city had not signed the proper papers. This annexation proposal for Gray was voted down but the battle is not over. This is a key corridor for Johnson City and the property to be annexed would be more important for future development as the city would be paying for this investment over the next 15-years. Commissioners were advised to limit their feedback due to the pending litigation. Attorney Alan Woodruff is the democratic candidate for the 1st District House seat who filed the suit July First. The proposed annexation is within the city’s Urban Growth Boundary which has not been previously challenged. (bg)