Decatur is becoming increasingly unaffordable and exclusive. In the last 12 months, the median price of a home sold in Decatur was $599,333!! If we don't make some important changes, and quickly, the cost of entry will go up and up, and only the wealthiest among us will be able to enjoy everything that Decatur has to offer.

Right now, the City of Decatur is considering 2 zoning proposals to begin to address Decatur's unaffordability that will re-allow "Missing Middle" homes in its neighborhoods:

1. To allow construction of and conversion to duplexes (2-units) and walk up flats (3-4 units) in Residential Single-Family (low-density residential) zoning districts by limited use, and to comply with same size and setback requirements of detached homes.
2. To require parking compliance of 1 space per dwelling unit - as is currently required for detached homes - and to allow up to 50% of parking for duplexes (2-units) and walk up flats (3-4 units) to be on-street parking, so long as frontage space meets requirements, and on-street parking is allowed.

While these are modest and necessary updates, the City is already facing opposition. The Planning Commission will vote on whether to make a recommendation in support of these proposals on Tuesday, October 11 at 7pm at Decatur City Hall and on Zoom, and the City Commissioners will vote on these proposals on Monday, October 17 at 7:30 pm at Decatur City Hall and on Zoom (link pending).

Let the City Commissioners and Planning Commissioners know that you support these reasonable and vital zoning updates.