The DecaturNext website, which was updated frequently during the 2010 Strategic Planning process, has been revived as the city works through the process of crafting a “Unified Development Ordinance”.

The site is already reporting that the UDO “Kick Off” meeting will take place on Thursday, November 14th at 7pm at City Hall.  The site says that the consulting team will first present a “UDO 101” for the room and then attendees will be asked to answer a specific question: “In what way(s) do you feel our existing development regulations fail to address the intent and/or goals of the Strategic Plan?”  You can read more about the meeting on DecaturNext.

The rest of the anticipated UDO schedule currently looks like this…

Trees! Crafting Decatur-Appropriate Regulations
Let’s find some common ground for a healthy canopy.
December 11 | Time and Location TBD

UDO Table of Contents Public Meeting
Help determine our “big picture” direction and what initial
recommendations will be made to City Commission.
January 8 | Time and Location TBD

City Commission Meeting
Consideration of a new tree ordinance will be on the agenda.
January 21 | 7:30pm | City Hall Commission Meeting Room

City Commission Meeting
Consideration of the UDO’s code assessment, “big picture” recommendations, and recommended policy changes will be on the agenda.
February 3 | 7:30pm | City Hall Commission Meeting Room

During all the talk surrounding the proposed temporary moratorium on structural demolition or tree removal in residential areas last week, commenters here expressed a desire for details or they claimed that they somehow already knew all the details.  Well, now you can all claim the latter…as long as you have 10 minutes available to you AND can translate ordinance speak.

The city has just posted the drafted ordinance of the proposed moratorium on it’s website.

Of note – based on the discussions here last week – here are a few clarifications found in the document.  First, what classifies as demolition…

For purposes of this Ordinance, “structural demolition” shall mean one or more of the following: (a) the removal of 50% or more of the original exterior walls; (b) the removal of 50% or more of the original, first floor sub floor and joist systems; (c) the enclosure of the original exterior walls by another wall system.

I like trees. I have two huge oaks and they make me happy. Most people I know tend to like theirs as well. That’s the basic mindset in which I read a recent FFAF comment thread discussing our largely non-existent residential tree ordinance.

Caveat: I tend to bristle at heavy-handed meddling in my affairs so I’ve never been a big fan of neighborhood tree ordinances. Wanna chop down all your trees? You’re outta your mind as far as I’m concerned but, hey, I’m not you. It’s your yard. Have at it.

Instead, I’ve always wished we could simply inspire people to value trees. Not just an individual tree but the culture of trees — the ongoing planting, nurturing and enjoyment of them. Not for emotional reasons or under threat of fines, but in practical, measurable terms. And that’s why today felt like Christmas morning, because my wish came true in the form of this posting on The Atlantic Cities site.

As it turns out, trees aren’t just pretty. They’re serious bottom line performers, and in ways that seem very compatible with how we tend to think and behave around here.

In the referenced studies, not only did a tree in front of one’s house add more than $7,000 to its sales price, it added $13,000 to the value of the house next door.

Uh, whah?!

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