In re Annexation Ordinance Adopted by the City of Albemarle

COPELAND, Justice.

We allowed discretionary review in this case because it was improper for the appeal to go initially to the Court of Appeals. Albemarle is a city of 5,000 or more people and pursuant to G.S. 160A-50(h) appeal lies directly to this Court. Humphries v. City of Jacksonville, 300 N.C. 186, 265 S.E. 2d 189 (1980).

Originally, appeals in cases involving cities of less than 5,000 people, G.S. 160-453.6(h) and (i) (1964) (now G.S. 160A-38(h)), and appeals in cases involving cities of 5,000 or more people, G.S. 160-453.18(h) and (i) (1964) (now G.S. 160A-50(h)), came directly to *339this…