The Decatur City Commission is accepting statements of interest from residents for volunteer service on the Environmental Sustainability Board, Active Living Advisory Board, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Descriptions of the board responsibilities and access to the Statement of Interest form can be found at decaturga.com/resident-boards-commissions. You can return the form via email to City Man-ager Andrea Arnold, Andrea.Arnold@decaturga.com or mail it to her attention at City of Decatur, PO Box 220, Decatur GA 30031.
About the Boards
Environmental Sustainability Board
The Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) provides recommendations to the City Commission regarding the city’s environmental regulations, plans and initiatives. The ESB also assists with implementation of city projects that affect the natural environment, to protect and improve the quality of life for citizens and property owners.
Four active committees are responsible for researching specific is-sues and making recommendations to the board: Natural Systems, Resource Conservation, Energy and Transportation, and Education and Outreach. Upcoming projects for the ESB include the Green Restaurant Recognition program, festival waste management, the Decatur Focus Green Insert, and serving as liaisons for the Stormwater Master Plan.
The board meets on the third Friday of each month at 8 a.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center.
Active Living Advisory Board
Active Living Advisory Board members are appointed by the Decatur City Commission to serve as advocates and advisors to the Active Living Division on projects and programs that help citizens safely incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. They also support the city’s ongoing efforts to improve sidewalks and intersections, calm traffic and expand the network of bike paths and walking trails. It seeks to educate residents about obesity and lifestyle issues and implement programs designed to change behavior and encourage healthier habits.
The board meets the first Tuesday of every month, 8 a.m., Decatur Recreation Center and welcomes ideas to help make Decatur a model healthy community.
Historic Preservation Commission
The HPC was established by local ordinance to ensure that renovations and new construction in Decatur’s five Local Historic Districts are consistent with the character of the neighborhoods. The five districts are McDonough-Adams-King’s Highway, Ponce de Leon Court, Old Decatur, Parkwood, and the Clairemont Historic District.
The Commission must approve exterior projects for homes located within these districts by issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness be-fore a building permit can be issued. Some projects may be administratively approved through the issuance of a Certificate of Exemption.
The board meets the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the City Commission meeting room at Decatur City Hall.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), established by local ordinance, con-ducts public hearings on appeals from decisions of the zoning administrator and of the UDO administrator, and considers requests for variances from zoning requirements.
The board meets on the second Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m., in the City Commission meeting room at Decatur City Hall.
