The DEF’s Gail Rothman sent out this announcement this morning…

We looked at several spaces that would allow expansion without putting stress on our budget and thanks to their Ministry of Hospitality, we will be sharing space at the First Christian Church of Decatur on the corner of W. Ponce and Nelson Ferry Road. Our office suite will front the Nelson Ferry side of the building across the street from the toddler park.

Our new home will allow us to continue to grow and expand the work of the Foundation by extending our capacity through the engagement of more community volunteers.

Please note our new address as of August 1, 2012:

200 Nelson Ferry Road, Suite B

Decatur, GA 30030

Decatur already allows for accessory dwellings (aka garage apartments, aka backyard apartments, aka an escape from your loud family), but Task 15b of the 2010 Decatur Strategic Plan calls for greater support of accessory dwellings.

The Zoning Ordinance Update Task Force’s March presentation notes that current regulations surrounding accessory BUILDINGS enforce an 1,000 sq/ft limit, a maximum height of 25 ft, and need to be set back 3′ from the property line.  They are allowed to have a full bath and a kitchen, with the exception of a stove. Accessory DWELLINGS on the other hand have a different set regulations, including occupancy is limited to two people, lots must be in excess of 12,000 sq/ft and be more than 75′ wide, and they must meet the same rear and side yard setbacks of the main house.

There are a number of proposed changes to this ordinance.  Here they are, right out of the presentation…

Any size lot can build an Accessory Dwelling if the following requirements are met:

• 1 unit is owner occupied

• Same side and rear yard setbacks as the main house

• Provide 1 off street parking space per lot

• Is within the 40% floor area and lot coverage maximum

• Is within the maximum 25 foot building height limit

Proposed changes to Accessory Buildings:

To further distinguish the difference between buildings and dwellings, the following changes are suggested:

• A maximum height limit of 15 feet for accessory buildings.
• No more than a ½ bath (sink & toilet) can be built in accessory buildings.

Additional changes to encourage Accessory Dwellings:

• Allow attic and basement apartments to be considered accessory dwelling units.
• Should the city provide pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units, similar to Seattle, WA.

Got opinions/feedback?  Email Decatur’s Planning Director directly at amandathompson@decaturga.com.

Photo courtesy of Modern Shed

With all the T-SPLOST talk, you may have forgotten that some North DeKalb residents will also be voting on whether to create a City of Brookhaven on July 31st.  The Champion newspaper has a nice article on the upcoming vote in their latest issue.

Supporters of cityhood say they’re “not overconfident” but “confident” that the measure will pass.

As many of you already know, the creation of another city in North DeKalb would again have adverse effects on DeKalb County’s budget, which is already under a lot of stress, due in part to high property foreclosure rates and evolving measures of property assessment.

If you are a kid, have a kid, were a kid, or know of any kids, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the great children’s authors and illustrators coming to Decatur.  Here are just some of the highlights.

The Saturday parade is being lead by the great Caldecott Medal, Caldecott Honor, and Newbery Honor winning Kevin Henkes, who will also be batting leadoff at the Children’s Stage.  (Due to work on the Square, this stage will be located on the grassy area just south of the Courtyard Inn.)  Also appearing on the Children’s Stage on Saturday are Mutts creator and Caldecott Honor winner Patrick McDonnell, Newbery Honor winner Shannon Hale, and Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead.  It’s really an honor to be hosting all of these honorable people who show their medal.  Nick Bruel and his Bad Kitty lead Sunday’s parade.  Origami Yoda’s Tom Angleberger will be on stage that day, as is Deron Hicks, Inspector General for the State of Georgia.  (I kid you not!)  Dav Pilkey, author/illustrator of the Captain Underpants books, Super Diaper Baby books, Dragon books, Ricky Ricotta books, Dumb Bunnies books, and Ook and Gluk books will be here on Sunday for a signing only.

Highlights on The Escape (YA) stage include David Levithan, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, Neal Shusterman, Nancy Holder, Maureen Johnson, and Melissa Walker.  In addition, there is a lot of buzz over many first-time published authors who are coming, which is truly exciting.

Have you heard the rumor about the demise of the picture book?  Well, the reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated, and a very special panel of really smart people will tell you why.  Leonard Marcus, the nation’s foremost authority of children’s literature and author of Show Me A Story: Why Picture Books Matter (2012) will be moderating a discussion with two-time(!!!) Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka, the great Mac Barnett (who will also be on the Children’s Stage), and local author-who-we-love-a-lot Laurel Snyder at the Decatur Presbyterian Sanctuary Stage on Saturday.

Are you as excited about all of these authors as I am???

This Week

Gerald Chertavian, author of A Year Up: The Pioneering Program That Teaches Young Adults Real Skills for Real Jobs-With Real Success, Thursday, July 26rd, 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.

Chris Bohjalian, author of The Sandcastle Girls, Monday, July 30th, 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.