The annexation of Grays Creek is on hold after Memphis City Council members met Tuesday, Feb. 14, in special session to approve the annexation ordinance on the second of three readings.

Once it passed, the council then voted to table the matter which puts it on hold indefinitely.

The council took the action the day after State Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville formally withdrew two bills that would have taken the Grays Creek area from the city of Memphis annexation reserve and required a referendum of residents to be annexed before any annexation could become final.

Norris's action followed a legal opinion from the Tennessee Attorney General's office that both bills were unconstitutional.

With the bills withdrawn, council members stopped their fast track annexation move at second reading. Should the legislation return, the council would then consider taking the third and final vote on annexation.

The council also dropped a companion ordinance on the agenda for first reading to annex the Bridgewater area – an unincorporated area in the Memphis reserve that is surrounded by the city of Memphis.