ZOUTF Task #2: Allowing “Light Manufacturing” in Decatur’s Commercial Districts
Decatur Metro | July 15, 2012
Have you ever wished that you could sit down at an event in one of Decatur’s fine commercial districts and know that both the glass and the beer you are enjoying were created by that Renaissance person behind the counter of that solar-powered pub? (They made the solar panels on-site too, by the way!)
Well you can’t, thanks to the city’s current zoning code.
But seriously, ANY of these practices are not currently allowed in most of Decatur’s commercial districts and many aren’t defined – and by default – not allowed. But Decatur’s ZOUTF (Zoning Ordinance Update Task Force) is looking to change that and expand the areas where “light manufacturing”, such as breweries, glassblowing, artisanal food processing can occur. Responding to Decatur’s Strategic Plan Task 2C (Identify available areas for light manufacturing and market them to potential businesses), ZOUTF is recommending allowance of “artisanal food processing, clean technology, and high-value consumer goods” in both C3 (Heavy Commercial) and the more prevalent C2 commercial zoning districts.
Have an opinion about this? Send your comments and concerns to Decatur Planning Director Amanda Thompson (amanda.thompson@decaturga.com) post-haste to be heard before the recommendations – including this one – are presented to the Decatur City Commission.
Photo of San Fran’s “Hot Glass | Cold Beer” event courtesy of sarah sosiak via Flickr
Latest from Decaturish
How about looking into adding live music outdoors……such as a top deck at Brick Store with live music……
Live outdoor music has been allowed for some time with sound level and time restrictions.
What is twains zoned as? They brew on site.
Twain’s does not brew for packaging and off-site sales, nor do they have anywhere near the volume of the proposed brewerys.
I’m confused by the post.
Are these business allowed in C3 only, C2 only, some mix of districts or no districts at all under the current zoning? Are there no (legal) artists in Decatur? After all most artists hope to make “high-value consumer goods.” Are artists not considered manufacturers?
Speaking from experience, most artists can’t afford rents in Decatur anyway.
It’s not referring to artists. The way the zoning works is that, rather than spell out what industries are not allowed, it spells out the ones that are. So, since it hasn’t been updated in a long time, it doesn’t allow for certain things that have recently become popular or that, through technology, are now able to operate in a way that’s not a noxious use.
Some businesses, like breweries, glass blowers or artisanal food production, aren’t currently on the allowable list but the strategic plan would seem to indicate that they should be. So the city is asking what type of industrial uses should be approved under the ordinance.