Next up on the UDO idea’s list presentation: Neighborhood Mixed Use.  Here’s the “What?”, “Why?” and “Where?”

- WHAT IS IT? Allows neighborhood-compatible uses:

• Small commercial uses (size limits)
• Above-shop flats or offices
• Live-work

– WHY? Existing zoning allows stores that are too large for a neighborhood setting and do not support mixed-uses or live-work uses.
– WHERE? Only available for future rezoning.

Up next on the laundry list of suggested zoning updates for the Unified Development Ordinance process, a new zoning designation: the “Middle Middle District”.  Again, here’s the description from the presentation from a couple days back.

WHAT IS IT? Allows urban, medium-density residential uses:

• Small lot-single-family homes
• Duplexes
• Cottage courts
• 4- and 6-unit buildings resembling houses

WHY? Existing multifamily district promotes incompatible development. The new district would provide housing options for residents who want to downsize, but don’t want to live in a large multifamily building in Downtown.

WHERE? Only available for future rezoning.

Illustration and photo courtesy of DecaturNext

There are many changes/updates being considered as part of the Unified Development Ordinance process, many of which were reviewed in a public meeting last night.  If you couldn’t make the meeting, you can check out this DecaturNext recap.  Over the next few days, DM will highlight the various changes being considered so no one is surprised once the UDO is completed later this year.  First up – R:50!

One part of the Unified Development Ordinance process is create new and updated zoning districts to “reflect the character of the existing residential and neighborhood commercial areas, or that serve an unmet need identified in the 2010 Strategic Plan.”  What is it? Why? and Where?  Here’s the answer straight from the presentation…

• WHAT IS IT? Allows 50 feet wide lots and includes urban design requirements so new houses are in harmony with the character of neighborhoods.
• WHY? Much of the traditional residential fabric of Decatur is zoned R-60, although many lots are 50 feet wide. This new district would reflect the character of these older lots.
• WHERE? Proactively mapped by the City or applied for by neighborhoods.

In a letter to the Decatur City Commission, as part of tonight’s City Commission agenda, City Manager Peggy Merriss proposes a temporary moratorium on demolition of single family dwellings and the “removal of certain trees within the R-60, R-85, and HDSF zoning districts”.  Here’s the full letter…

The purpose of this memorandum is to propose that at the October 21, 2013 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission consider establishing a temporary moratorium on the demolition of single-family dwellings and the removal of certain trees within the R-60, R-85 and HDSF zoning districts. It is anticipated that it would be recommended that the moratorium be effective from October 22, 2013 until January 24, 2014.

At your regular meeting on Monday, September 16, 2013, the City Commission approved the selection of the Decatur Coding Studio Team, led by TSW, to prepare a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for the City of Decatur. Phase One of the project includes development of a detailed technical report that will provide a table of contents for the new UDO and outline exactly what should be changed.  The current schedule calls for the technical report to be presented to the City Commission in January, 2014. Extensive stakeholder interviews and community engagement on desired code changes are scheduled to occur during the temporary moratorium period.

The temporary moratorium would preserve the status quo during this period of study, research and deliberation.  The temporary moratorium would allow staff and the City’s consultant team the opportunity to identify primary areas of concern from the community, particularly as those concerns relate to demolitions and removal of trees on private property. Temporarily halting further single-family demolitions would also provide time for research and analysis of a number of issues that community members have raised about recent single-family development that would inform decisions about the direction that the UDO should take such as:

• the number and type of demolitions;
• the size and scale of new single-family detached residences;
• the type and number of variances granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals; and,
• other general development issues.

It would also allow time for the tree canopy analysis to be completed and reviewed and the issues of boundary trees and tree removal on private properties to be researched before additional trees are removed.  We would also anticipate review of current staffing and professional services contracts to determine if changes or modifications in service delivery need to be considered.

At this point we anticipate that the temporary moratorium on demolitions and tree removal would only apply to development or redevelopment of detached single-family dwellings and would prohibit removal of any healthy trees with a 12-inch or greater “diameter-at-breast-height” (DBH).  Commercial zoning districts are already subject to the existing tree ordinance. The temporary moratorium would not apply to demolition of dangerous structures or dangerous or diseased trees, as determined by a certified arborist or urban forester. An appeals process for exceptions to the temporary moratorium requirement will be available.

Totally lost in the hubbub of the annexation approval this past Monday night, the City Commission approved the rezoning of the residential lot at 712 West College Avenue to commercial to accommodate a planned grocery run by the Candler Park Market.

With the Zoning Ordinance Task Force’s changes to the city’s zoning ordinances approved by the City Commission in early December, the developers of the Market no longer need five exceptions,  which was the main point of contention when this plan was voted on by the Planning Commission last month. The only variance approved on Monday was an additional curb cut along College Avenue.  The new plan will have 10 more spaces than is necessary under the new parking ordinance (29 instead of 19).  The building will be 5,900 square feet, the same exact size as the existing Candler Park Market in, well, Candler Park, and the building is now sited along College Ave with parking at the rear (see above).