The East Decatur Station area, which carries the only C3 Heavy Commercial zoning inside the city limits, seems poised to become Decatur’s brewing hub overnight.

In addition to the already discussed Three Taverns Brewing, Blue Tarp Brewing is also looking to open in the C3 Heavy Commercial space, based on comments from Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne at tonight’s Decatur City Commission meeting.

Not much info online about Blue Tarp as of yet, just a webpage that promises “Coming Soon!”.  Also, there was an online design contest for their “flagship beer” called “Georgia Uncommon”.

New Avondale Estates city limits sign installed, East College Ave @ Katie Kerr, Avondale Estates GA (pic submitted by Kristen)

The Decatur City Commission is scheduled to vote this evening on a $1.3 million contract for preparation of construction documents for the Beacon Hill School complex with Rutledge Alcock Architects.   According to a letter from Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon, the funds are available from HOST proceeds.

Mr. Saxon estimates that renovation construction will begin in 2013 that will “incorporate a modern headquarters for the Decatur Police Department, new Municipal Court facilities”, a rec center, “a wing that can be programmed for the City Schools Central Office, on-site parking for the Police Department and the other Beacon School facilities uses, and an outdoor plaza and entertainment area.”

The city solicited feedback from the community back in June 2010.

Additionally Mr. Saxon adds that “Consistent with feedback during the master planning process from former residents and family members of former residents of the community, we are also planning to develop an exhibit in the complex that documents the heritage of the Beacon Hill Community, the historical center of African American life in Decatur.”

Mr. Saxon also mentions that CSD should make a final decision on whether to move into Beacon Hill early this month.

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• “Things people say if you mention walking home from work” [Oppidan Omnibus]

You may recall our recent post about the coming of Decatur’s first brewery, Three Taverns, located at East Decatur Station.

Well according to Decatur Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne, when the two local residents involved in the operation approached the city about a license they “found that [they] had no license category that fit.”

Consulting with the city’s attorneys, the city identified “two refinements in existing ordinances that are necessary to support craft brewing operations.”  So, tonight the city commission will vote on clarifying the ordinance language, establishing a license category and adding “craft breweries” as a specified use in C3 Heavy Commercial Zoning District. According to the city zoning map (pdf), the only current “heavy commercial zoning district” is located in and around East Decatur Station.

The first refinement could be approved this evening, while the amendment to the zoning ordinance require advertisement and a hearing by the Planning and City Commissions, which probably won’t be considered until August.

The zoning change would limit the number of barrels per year to 100,000.  An email written by the applicant, Chet Burge, says that Sweetwater brews upwards of 100,000 barrels a year, while Terrapin is “probably approaching 50,000 barrels”.

Ms. Menne notes that diversifying business types, with a focus on locally owned, independent, is part of Goal 2 of the 2010 Decatur Strategic Plan.

See page 31 of the city commission meeting materials (pdf) for more detail.