Decatur Metro » Decatur moratorium

Decatur Proposed Moratorium on Residential Demolition and Tree Removal Now Being Considered Separately

Decatur Metro | October 19, 2013

From the city’s Decatur Minute blog…

Updated information is now available regarding the proposed temporary moratorium on single-family residential structural demolition and large tree removal as a part of construction or renovation. This proposal was initially made available on October 14, 2013 as a single ordinance. However, after public review and feedback, the two issues have been separated into individual ordinances that can be discussed and acted upon separately.

The City Commission will discuss the proposals during the work session and regular meeting on Monday, October 21, 2013 at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. Both meetings are open to the public.

6:30pm- Work Session

7:30pm- Regular Meeting

If either or both proposals are adopted, the properties affected would be limited to those zoned R-60 and R-85 Single Family Residential. Each moratorium would be effective through Jan. 24, 2014.

Documents

Memo from City Manager – October 18

Ordinance O-13-AA – Temporary moratorium on permits for structural demolitions

Ordinance O-13-BB – Temporary moratorium on permits for large tree removals

All comments & questions should be directed to Amanda Thompson at amanda.thompson@decaturga.com or 404-370-4104.

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Categories: Construction, Development, zoning
Tags: Decatur moratorium, Decatur tree ordinance, The Decatur Minute
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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.