East Lake Drive, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Peter)

The 7th Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival presented by DeKalb Medical is over.

To paraphrase Juan Antonio Samaranch, this was “the best festival ever.” Actually, I think DBF improves every year, but this one seemed several notches above the others.

It amazes me how much work it takes to put all this together. I’m always surprised on Monday morning that one would never know that a major festival had occurred.

Kudos to Daren and Terra, and to Mary and Bill and Lee Ann and the myriad of volunteers and workers who put everything in place and run it so … festivally!

Personal highlight: I only get to see a small part of the overall picture, but the Children’s Stage had a particularly great vibe this year in its (new?) location. It was a bit more laid back while still exuding energy. Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) absolutely rocked that crowd!

What rocked your world this past weekend?

This Week

Dwyane Wade (yep!), author of A Father First, Monday, September 10th at 6:30 p.m., Atlanta-Fulton County Library Central Branch, free (as far as I can tell).

Decatur’s own Amanda Kyle Williams, author of Stranger in the Room, and Peter Farris, author of Last Call for the Living, Wednesday, September 12th, 7:15 p.m., Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.

Jodi Kantor, author of The Obamas, Wednesday, September 12th, 7:30 p.m. MJCCA, $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

Not a ton of money, but considering that most city pools lose money, it’s a reportable feat.

Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne provided this info at the end of the Decatur City Commission meeting last night.

With the Decatur pool season closed as of Labor Day, the final numbers showed that the City of Decatur made roughly $2,000 off its pool facilities again this year, with revenue of $169,500 and pool contracting fees totaling $167,600.

Also of interest according to the report, 70% of pool users this year were residents vs 30% non-residents.

Decatur’s Zoning (Ordinance Update) Task Force (ZOUTF!) holds an open house tonight at City Hall, 7-9pm, to present its latest working ideas. On the program: encouraging accessory dwellings and managing transitions between downtown commercial and residential neighborhoods.

Residents will have opportunity to review and comment on displays spelling out the specifics, and provide guidance on some key questions.

Here’s a small taste. While the Strategic Plan calls for easier backyard cottage, garage apartment and in-law suite options for homeowners, the task force has looked closely at the particulars — and how such units can be regulated to maximize benefit across the board for owners, neighbors and the community overall. One issue is “bulk.” Currently, accessory structures are limited to 25’ high, but have no limitations to how they’re configured. Some communities address this by limiting the height of the sidewall, which reduces the visual bulk but has no meaningful impact on the useable space inside.

What do you think? Would Decatur benefit from something like this?