UPDATE: Hugh Saxon recaps the city commission’s decision from last night…

“The City Commission approved a 5-foot easement with a protection fencing along the easement line, subject to the recommended conditions. An on-site review on Monday indicated that several trees adjacent to the property line would be severely damaged if the proposed Super 8 plan is implemented, regardless of the easement. The reduced easement minimizes intrusion into Cemetery property, allows an opportunity for saving 1-2 of the larger trees and provides for restoration of the easement area as a buffer with screening fencing and new vegetation.”

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The Super 8 motel along Church Street is looking to expand.

As an item on this evening’s Decatur City Commission agenda, the property owner of the Super 8 is requesting a 10 foot construction easement – which stretches into the Decatur Cemetery property – from the city in order to build a second building on the adjacent 909 Church Street property, which currently sports a commercially zoned single-family house.

Along with demolishing the existing building at 909 Church Street, the owner of the Super 8 states in a letter to the commission that all trees along the southern property line will need to be removed along with a “damaged wall.”   The owner states that all trees will be removed in accordance with the DeKalb County tree ordinance.

Another letter from the property owner notes that the expansion will include a “number of guest suites, a fitness center, a business center, a coin laundry for hotel guests and a manager’s residence.”

How does the city’s staff feel about all of this?

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