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