UPDATE: The Decatur City Commission is scheduled to take up this ordinance at tonight’s meeting.  See agenda HERE (pdf).

Over on its Open City Hall online feedback forum, the City of Decatur is asking residents how they feel about a new ordinance that explicitly prohibits skateboard and “similar devices” in public areas downtown and “on private property without consent of the property owner.”

The synopsis on Open City Hall explains that the proposed ordinance (pdf) is a result of resident complaints the city continues to receive “about skateboarders who disregard pedestrians and cause unsafe conditions on crowded sidewalks and in crowded public areas”, along with recent damage done to the Celebration Statue on the MARTA plaza.  The post includes multiple pics of damage done to the statue by skateboarders.  (One example above)

In terms of private property damage, the Open City Hall post notes damage done to the marble planter out in front of Leon’s Full Service at the corner of Ponce and Church Street.

In explaining what prompted this new ordinance, City Manager Peggy Merriss reiterates the above points to DM and adds that the Decatur Police Department has asked the city to adopt a more specific ordinance relating to these activities.