Decatur Metro » Decatur demolition

Decatur Releases Details of Proposed Temporary Moratorium

Decatur Metro | October 17, 2013

During all the talk surrounding the proposed temporary moratorium on structural demolition or tree removal in residential areas last week, commenters here expressed a desire for details or they claimed that they somehow already knew all the details. Well, now you can all claim the latter…as long as you have 10 minutes available to you AND can translate ordinance speak.

The city has just posted the drafted ordinance of the proposed moratorium on it’s website.

Of note – based on the discussions here last week – here are a few clarifications found in the document. First, what classifies as demolition…

For purposes of this Ordinance, “structural demolition” shall mean one or more of the following: (a) the removal of 50% or more of the original exterior walls; (b) the removal of 50% or more of the original, first floor sub floor and joist systems; (c) the enclosure of the original exterior walls by another wall system.

Also, perhaps this was already stated, but the tree removal moratorium only applies to residential R-60 and R-85 lots. Also, trees with a “moderate or higher risk rating”, as determined by the city arborist, which “cannot be mitigated by industry best management practices, a determined pursuant to ANSI A300 Part 9 Tree, Shrub and other Woody Plant Management Standard Practices Tree Risk Assessment” will not apply to the moratorium.

Also, property owners will be able to file an appeal to the Planning Commission if they are denied permit by the Planning Department, if they believe that the city erred in

concluding that the application does not qualify for one of the exceptions listed in” Section 2 or 3 above or if they can prove extraordinary economic circumstances.”

The City Commission will consider the moratorium next Monday, Oct 21st at their regular 7:30p meeting. Any approved moratorium would remain in effect until January 24, 2014.

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Categories: Construction, Development, Politics
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Old McKinney’s Apothecary Demolition Begins

Decatur Metro | May 18, 2011

Both Rus (above) and Kevin (below) send in great photos of the demolition that’s begun at the old McKinney’s Apothecary building at 542 Church Street to make way for the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education teaching center, as we reported here in April 2010.