After years of discussion, Decatur is finally ready to test a lower speed limit – in one neighborhood at least.

At tonight’s commission meeting, Decatur’s commissioners will consider adopting a lower, 25 mph residential speed limit “pilot program” for the Decatur Heights neighborhood on the northeast corner of Decatur.  Streets included in the pilot program include…

• Hillcrest Avenue
• Poplar Street
• Grove Street
• Springdale Street
• Pinehurst Street
• Sycamore Ridge Drive
• Fairview Street
• Hickory Street
• Mountain View Street
• Oak Lane

Sycamore Drive, Ridgeland Ave and Lockwood Terrace speed limits will also be adjusted under a coordinated GDOT pilot program, as noted in the map above.

A letter from Asst. City Manager David Junger explains the purpose of the program…

In order to test the transportation system envisioned in the CTP, it is recommended that the Decatur Heights neighborhood be used as a pilot project to determine if we can establish an environment that promotes the health and vitality of all citizens and visitors by posting 25 mile per hour speed limit signs on designated residential streets as listed in proposed Section 98~151 of the City Code. The slower a vehicle travels, the less likely an accident will result in serious injury or fatality. This pilot project will test whether having appropriately established residential speed zones in our neighborhoods will improve safety for pedestrians and motorists and enhance Decatur’s residential environment.

Decatur Heights has been petitioning for a 25 mph neighborhood speed limit since 2011.  Back in January, neighborhood residents went before the commission again to express the desire to lower the residential speed limit.  In the 2014 Citizen Survey, a majority of Decatur residents showed support for a 25mph speed limit on residential streets around the city.

As we reported back in January, the 2014 Citizen Survey showed that a majority of Decatur residents voiced their approval of a 25 MPH city-wide speed limit for residential roads.  We followed up with the city who told us they were still working through the many questions associated with the project.

At last night’s meeting, the commission listened as residents along Harold Byrd Drive and Maedris Drive in the Westchester neighborhood submitted a petition for traffic calming measures along their streets (four-way light, speed humps, etc), to deal with cut-through traffic from Scott Boulevard and Clairemont.

They then listened as numerous Decatur Heights residents took the podium and asked that the city commission take action on the 25 mph residential speed zone petition for Sycamore Drive the entire Decatur Heights neighborhood, which was accepted by the commission back in 2011, and also address other lingering speed-related issues in the neighborhood.

Later in the meeting, Asst. City Manager David Junger described to the commissioners the many difficulties involved of lowering the speed limit on any residential street in Decatur, let alone across the entire city.

Decatur Heights residents along Sycamore Drive have also separately pursued a 25 MPH Residential Zone speed limit along their stretch on road north of Ponce. So far, they’ve achieved a 30MPH Residential Zone designation. However, the requested 25 MPH hasn’t been accommodated, because of the method used by the Georgia Department of Transportation to determine speed limits. A new speed study request is in the queue.

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LBJ writes in…

Could you please help this puppy find a home?

We found him in Decatur Heights yesterday. He’s a friendly puppy with tags that say he has his shots, but no identification information. No microchip. We cannot keep him for more than a day, if that, but he’s a keeper if anybody can claim him or can take him in. 404/862-3234

Deanne sends in this announcement/invitation…

Decatur Heights Invites the Community to Safety and Home Security Event

Saturday, November 3, 10a.m – Noon
The Church at Decatur Heights
735 Sycamore Drive

There’s something for everyone, so bike, walk, roll, or drive on over and join us!

Decatur Police Department Mobile Unit

• “Social Media Safety” class for teens & parents to attend together. (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in community room.)
• Child Identification Fingerprints card for school aged children

Duncan Cottrell, The Entry Enforcer

• Check out smart options for safeguarding your home.
• Hear a 20 minute presentation, “Options for Securing Doors and Windows,” offered at 10a.m. and 11:30a.m.

Duncan Cottrell is a home security expert and Local Voice blogger on Decatur-Avondale Patch. He has gotten rave reviews from our neighbors!

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Scott is brief and to the point, but reports that the DeKalb Zoning Board of Appeals passed the parking variance for the Walmart redevelopment of Suburban Plaza.  To quote Scott…

Variance passes.

Now, if you only really care about the end result, you should be good to go.  Feel free to stick around, buy a t-shirt or see what kind of weird links are in the Morning Metro section today.  But if you really want to get down into the weeds, Patch has a live blog of the event. Sounds like things got a little heated.

Decatur-wise, Patch reported that Decatur Heights ultimately took a neutral stance of the variance.

It also sounds like some of you all were there.  If you were, please let us know us all about the beautiful democracy in action.

Rendering Photo courtesy of MANA

Jack sends along a link to a MARTA PDF that details the light rail plans for the Clifton Corridor transit line inside the Decatur city limits.  (You can click the screen-grab above to enlarge it a bit, but your best bet is probably viewing the entire PDF for yourself)

As Jack points out, the train looks like it would exit the “Clairemont tunnel” around the Woodlands and then there’s an above ground station at Scott and Superior.  It travels above ground on Scott until it almost gets to Medlock Rd.  Then it goes underground again, along North Decatur Road, north of DeKalb Medical, before resurfacing again.  The alternative line looks like it would run under Suburban Plaza and then come above-ground beyond Church Street and travel along the south edge of DeKalb Medical’s property and the north-edge of Decatur Heights properties on Pineview Drive.

Here’s that portion of the map, along with the legend.  Let me know if you read it differently.

Alternative #1 then runs down N. Decatur to DeKalb Industrial Way before ending at Avondale Station.  The alternative route would continue along the northern edge of Decatur Heights, cross Winn Way and met up with Irvin Way to connect with DeKalb Industrial.  You can view that separate PDF HERE.

For all detailed maps for the Clifton Corridor line, CLICK HERE.

Just a reminder that the Decatur Heights neighborhood is hosting a District 1 school board candidates forum this Sunday at the Church of Decatur Heights from 1:30p to 3:30p.  In case you missed the full announcement previously, here’s the link.

Sadly, due to the recent passing of her mother, School Board member Julie Rhame will be unable to attend as originally planned. “It speaks volumes to Julie’s dedication to our schools,” said DM commenter and forum organizer Deanne, “that she still wanted to try to meet with the community to answer questions. It’s certainly in keeping with all that she’s always done.”

Our best to Julie and her whole family during this difficult time.