We talk a lot about walkability here on DM and that’s a good thing. But one thing I’ve noticed is that we tend to focus predominantly on the mechanics — is it physically possible and reasonably safe to walk from one place to another?

Don’t get me wrong. The proper infrastructure — sidewalks, crosswalks, signalization — is important, but it’s a mistake to think it’s enough to compel meaningful changes in people’s lifestyles. That’s the kind of thinking that leads one to suggest that DeKalb Industrial Blvd. has, now that they’ve laid sidewalks, become some sort of pedestrian paradise.

It hasn’t.

What it has become is a marginally safer environment for pedestrians without choices. And that’s not the same thing. Because what really defines walkability is its ability to compete as a viable mode of transportation.

Read the rest of this entry »

Do these homes frighten you? Does their lack of pretension offend your sensibilities? Do their modest proportions fill you with an unsettling sense of dread and leave you counting down the days until an old couch or broken refrigerator winds up on the porch?

Do you fear the criminal element surely lurking inside?

My gut says no. In fact, if anything, I’d guess that most folks would consider these homes a fairly representative sample of the charm we Decaturites like to boast about. And that’s ironic, given that every one of them–along with hundreds of others not shown–would be illegal to build under our current zoning code.

Say whah? Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t let the long name of this task force put you to sleep too quickly.

The Zoning Ordinance Revision Task Force is a very important group of Decatur residents who’s recommendations will likely steer the city’s direction in implementing many elements of the Decatur Strategic Plan over the next 10 years.  The responsibilities of this group of 11 spans everything from revising the parking ordinance to looking into allowing accessory dwellings in residential areas.  Sure, our city commissioners will get the final say in voting to approve/deny these recommended changes to city ordinances, but this is the group who will submit the changes for approval.

City Planning Director Amanda Thompson submitted a list of potential Task Force candidates at a city commission meeting a couple months back, but the commission didn’t release its final list until last Monday.

As summarized on Patti Garrett’s blog recently…

The task force will study the recommendations of the Strategic Plan related to zoning to identify possible revisions to the existing ordinance, to solicit public opinion on the proposed revisions and build community support for any changes to the city’s zoning ordinance that might be recommended. The public will be engaged through 3 open house workshops and Open City Hall as well as other forms of regular communication. Task Force members include one member from each of the city appointed commissions and boards, 1 commercial property /business owner, 1 downtown condo resident, 1 R60 adjacent to downtown resident and 2 at large representatives from the Roundtable Process. Thanks to the following folks who will be serving the city on the Zoning Ordinance Revision Task Force:

Finally, here’s your Zoning Ordinance Task Force…

• Jack Rhodes – Planning Commission
• Kyle Williams – Zoning Board of Appeals
• Chris Sciarrone – Downtown Development Authority
• Lori Leland Kirk – Historic Preservation Commission
• Tony Leung – Environmental Sustainability Board
• Bill Adams – Active Living Board
• Fisher Paty – Commercial Property Owner
• Ellis McIntyre – Downtown Condo Resident
• Scott Keinger – R1 60 Adjacent to Downtown Resident
• Seegar Swanson – At large
• Joy Provost – At large

Lights AND dogs.  They both pollute.  Decatur’s 2010 Strategic Plan Goal 13 addresses both…

Goal 13: Protect and restore natural resources, support environmental health, and increase ecological awareness

Task 13A: Create an urban forest management plan to assess Decatur’s existing tree canopy, recommend strategies for protection, maintenance, and new tree plantings, and revise the city’s tree ordinance.

Task 13B: Create an updated storm water management plan and continue to upgrade the storm water system.

Task 13C: Support educational programs to encourage individual support of environmental sustainability programs such as the Kilowatt Crackdown.

Task 13D: Adopt a long-range maintenance schedule for parks and greenspace to assure that facilities and fields are maintained and repaired, and that greenspace areas and trails are well managed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Did someone say “electric car charging stations”?  Onto goal 12 of the 2010 Decatur Strategic Plan…

Goal 12: Foster environmental, social, and economic sustainability in all aspects of city life and government practice

Task 12A: Develop a citywide sustainability plan with the assistance of the environmental sustainability board to address issues such as the creation of a climate action plan, initiatives such as an ordinance to limit motor vehicle idling, and roof color standards to reduce the heat island effect.

Task 12B: Encourage the construction of sustainable buildings in commercial districts.

Task 12C: Support the expansion of urban gardening opportunities.

Urban gardening benefits the community by promoting physical activity, bringing neighbors together, improving food quality, and keeping dollars local. In addition, it begins to change society’s relationship to food in a positive, sustainable way. Efforts to expand urban gardening could include increased community garden sites, creation of a neighborhood tool bank,

information sharing, removing regulatory barriers, material support, or expanded farmer’s markets.

Task 12D: When building public facilities, design them to achieve LEED or equivalent certification and to assure quality construction that will serve the community for 50 years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Onto Decatur Strategic Plan goals 10 & 11.  Most of Goal 10 is a “continuation” of things the city is already doing.  However, there’s a task in here that calls for the evaluation of the homestead exemption and another under Goal 11 that calls for integrating more art into public spaces, which sounds interesting.

Goal 10: Continue to provide quality services within fiscal limits acceptable to the community

Task 10A Pursue energy saving options and long-term sustainability policies to reduce the cost of providing services.

Task 10B Continue to access grant funding opportunities to pay for capital projects, support strategic goals, and improve quality of life.

Task 10C Use the budget process to assure the most cost effective use of city resources.

Task 10D Evaluate homestead exemptions, including their effect on residential tax burden and city’s ability to provide services.

Goal 11: Assure the efficient use and coordination of all community facilities by strengthening public-private partnerships

Task 11A Create facility committees as needed to work with community institutions to identify opportunities for shared use of public facilities, to allow for more efficient use of these facilities, and to make certain that existing partnerships like the athletic facilities partnership meet regularly to accomplish this goal.

Task 11B Incorporate multi-use rooms into as many city-owned buildings as possible to provide for flexible community use opportunities.

Task 11C Convene an annual forum for non-profit, public, religious, and institutional organizations to share ideas, resources, and strategies to meet the strategic goals of the community.

Task 11D Integrate art into public facilities, such as sidewalks or new buildings, in partnership with local schools, the Arts Alliance and local artists.

“Density & annexation” might not be the best overall descriptors for Goal #9 of Decatur’s Strategic Plan, but I felt compelled to use the most incendiary words possible in the post title.

FYI, I’m skipping Goal #8, which is located on page 38 of the Plan, because it’s essentially “support the Cultural Arts Master Plan“.

Goal 9: Expand and diversify the city’s revenue base

Task 9A: Find opportunities to redevelop existing commercially zoned properties to their highest and best use.

Task 9B: E xplore annexation options in partnership with the City Schools of Decatur that expand the property tax base and enhance school operations.

Task 9C: Support the redevelopment of the former Devry University property with a mix of uses that will serve the community.

Task 9D: Promote other revenue sources in addition to property taxes, such as increased sales tax revenues.