Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Zoning Ordinance Update Task Force Meeting

Posted in Community, Meetings on August 29, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
7:00-9:00 PM
Decatur City Hall
509 North McDonough Street

The Zoning Task Force has been hard at work researching and crafting new city ordinances to help implement the 2010 Strategic Plan. You are invited to learn about the proposed changes to encourage Accessory Dwellings (e.g. garage apartments or granny flats) and define appropriate transitions between residential and commercial properties in downtown Decatur. From 7:00-9:00 PM city staff, task force members and PlaceMakers, LLC will be available to present the proposed changes, facilitate discussion and collect your comments. We need your input! The City Commission will consider the proposed changes in late October, 2012.

 

The following 2010 Strategic Plan tasks will be up for review and comment:

  • Task 3A: Adopt new transitional design standard to integrate commercial, mixed use and residential districts – In recent decades, Decatur has used buffers and height limits to transition between existing single-family neighborhoods and new developments in existing commercial and mixed-use zoning districts. These have focused on separating such areas, rather than unifying them. As an alternative, new design techniques should be explored to provide appropriate connection between new development and existing neighborhoods, such as improved architectural design, scale and massing and landscaping.
  • Task 3E: Improve the predictability and efficiency of the process for new development approval by establishing development standards and requirements that are consistent with the goals of the strategic plan
  • Task 15B: Adopt ordinance changes that allow smaller homes, support accessory dwellings and encourage other creative housing options that provide affordable housing in single family neighborhoods. Educate the public about their characteristics and benefits.

For more information contact Amanda Thompson, Planning Director at Amanda.Thompson@decaturga.com

 

 

Read Full Post »

Put A Little Art In Your Life

Posted in Art & Culture, Community, Events, Uncategorized on August 10, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Decatur is full of artists, art and creative performances.  This weekend you can see new work by sculptor Julia Trawick Knight and painter Kathy Meliopoulos at The Seen Gallery.  The show opens Saturday, August 11 with a reception from 7 – 10 p.m.

Julia’s work graces the Hall of Presidents at the Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville and at Georgia Highlands College.  Kathy’s goal with each piece is to create a dynamic 2-dimensional surface which “reflects an attention to anatomy, expresses emotional content, and a reverence for color, texture and light.”

If you prefer performance art, check out the vocal stylings of Ja’ Naan “Imprompt” on Sundays at Cozee Teas, a new tea shop located at 225 E. Ponce de Leon (under the Town Square condos).  Sip back, relax and enjoy these performances at either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.  Call now for reservations 404-373-2110.  Tickets are $8 with reservations and $9 at the door.

Ja’ Naan performed to a standing room only crowd at the Decatur Library Auditorium and received a rousing standing ovation.  Ja’ Naan was acknowledged earlier this year as The Ambassador to Sierra Leon, West Africa, Artist in Residence.  Her goal is to bridge culture by artistic interaction between international and local performers.  Her initiative uses various art forms to bring awareness to the need, provide resources and monetary assistance to health and wellness.

Art matters in Decatur so enjoy the show(s)!

Read Full Post »

Live from City Hall, it's Monday night!

Posted in Community, Meetings on August 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

The City of Decatur announces the launch of streaming video for the Decatur City Commission meetings beginning Monday, August 6, 2012.  The option has been in the Pilot Testing Phase and goes live Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

“This feature is part of our ongoing commitment to offering a variety of ways to access our City Commission meetings and information,” said Mayor Bill Floyd.  “We hope that those who have an interest will take advantage of this new service.”

To access the streaming video option, visit www.decaturga.com and click on City Government, City Commission, Streaming Video.  Once the service moves out of the Pilot Testing Phase at the end of August, there will be a button from the front page of the website that will take viewers directly to the streaming video page.

The City Commission meetings continue to be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 25 in addition to this new service.  We encourage your feedback and suggestions during this testing phase so that we can make any needed adjustments.

If you have questions or need more information, contact Linda Harris, Linda.Harris@decaturga.com, 404-371-8386 or Meredith Roark, Meredith.Roark@decaturga.com, 404-370-4102.

Read Full Post »

Scott Boulevard Power Outage

Posted in Community, emergency management on August 3, 2012 | 1 Comment »

August 3 • 1:30 p.m.
The work on Scott Blvd is complete.

August 3 • 9:00 a.m.
A power pole on Scott Blvd caught fire last night so the power is out on Scott Blvd from Willow Lane to Superior Avenue. Decatur Public Safety and Georgia Power are on scene and it is estimated that the repairs should take two to three hours. Be advised that the two in-bound lanes on Scott Blvd are blocked, so use alternate streets if you must travel in this area.

 

Read Full Post »

Calling Decatur Hometown Heroes

Posted in Community on July 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

2011 Decatur Hometown Heroes

Now is the time to think of your favorite Decatur Hometown Hero – that person who works hard, often behind the scenes, to make our community a better place to live and work. Nominate your choice for recognition as a 2012 Hometown Hero. Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 14.

Decatur launched its Hometown Heroes recognition and celebration in the summer of 1996 at the close of the Hometown to the World Festival during the Olympics. Each year since 1996, Decatur has recognized and celebrated a new group of Hometown Heroes during the Decatur Business Association’s Holiday Meeting in December.

Applications are judged by a panel of professionals who work with volunteers throughout the state of Georgia and who do not know the nominees. Nomination forms are available at www.decaturga.com or at City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., second floor, Community and Economic Development department. You may also write an essay describing your Hometown Hero and what he/she has contributed to the Decatur community.

For more information call 678-553-6548 or email leeann.harvey@decaturga.com.

To read about Decatur’s past Hometown Heroes, click here.

Read Full Post »

Child Car Seat Safety Check This Friday

Posted in Community, Events on July 11, 2012 | Leave a Comment »


Photo

The Decatur Fire Department and Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute is holding a child car seat safety check and installation at the Walmart located at the corner of Memorial and Columbia Drive this Friday, July 13, 9-11 a.m.

For questions about child safety seats, call 678-413-4281.

Read Full Post »

It's hot out there!

Posted in Community, emergency management on June 28, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

With forecasted temperatures reaching above 100* this weekend, several City of Decatur locations have been designated as cooling centers:

Friday – June 29, 2012:

  • Decatur City Hall, 509 N McDonough St., Commission Room

Friday – Sunday, June 29, June 30, and July 1, 2012 between the hours of 12 noon through 5pm.

  • Ebster Recreation Center, 430 W Trinity Place – Theater
  • Fire Station One, 230 E Trinity Place –  Training Room
  • Decatur Police Department, 420 W Trinity Place – Lobby

The Decatur Fire Department will have a limited number of “Box Fans” to distribute to those who demonstrate a need. Contact the Decatur Fire Department at 404- 373-5092 for more information.

Read Full Post »

11 Alive Coming to the Square (Really Early) This Friday!

Posted in Community on June 27, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Calling all Decaturites – who are morning people! 11 Alive is filming its morning show on the square this Friday morning from 4:30-7 a.m. Yes, you read that correctly. That’s 4:30 AM! And we want you to come out and join us on the square. Wear your Team Decatur shirt, make a fun welcome poster, dress up in costume, roll out of bed and come in your pjs, bring your cup of coffee in your favorite travel mug, bring your dog (he/she will appreciate the early walk), or just stop by and wave to the camera. If you don’t plan on getting up to the square until, say, 5:30 a.m., that’s fine too. Just make sure to stop by before 7 a.m. Need some incentive? How about this:

  • The first 25 people to come to the square on Friday morning will get a free Revolution Doughnuts doughnut.
  • The first 20 dogs to come to the square (on a leash with their owners of course) will get a free Taj Ma Hound biscuit.

We can all have a sugar-high together at 4:30 a.m. on the square! If that doesn’t sound like a fun way to start your Friday, well then, I have nothing more to say to you. Except that Bookzilla will be there too!

You can’t turn doughnuts AND a giant lizard with a book for a head, right? See you there!

Read Full Post »

Drum Roll Please. . .

Posted in Community on June 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Do you remember when we kicked off the Go Local Slogan contest here? And then needed your help selecting from the top four here? If you don’t, here’s the gist: we’ve been looking for a slogan to encourage people to shop, dine and support local businesses in Decatur and decided to reach out to the community for help. Well, after receiving more than 250 entries, creating a Go Local committee made up of local business owners, narrowing down the entries to the top four, we’ve got our winning slogan:

“Keep it Indie-Catur” is the brainchild of Dave and Talia Blanchard (that’s right, one of the owners of Brick Store and the owner of Squash Blossom Boutique). It doesn’t get much more local than that!

In the upcoming months, you’ll start seeing local shop and restaurant employees wearing Keep it Indie-Catur shirts and matching signs in storefront windows. If you’re a fan of keeping it local, you’ll be able to purchase your own shirt at a local establishment soon. Stay tuned for details.

Read Full Post »

Father's Day in Decatur

Posted in Community on June 15, 2012 | 1 Comment »


Card by Kate Whitney available at Mingei World Arts

Here are a few Father’s Day-themed events/specials going on around town this Sunday (as in 2 days away!):

  • Father’s Day Brunch, 10am-3pm at Parker’s on Ponce: carving station, omelette station, pancakes, fresh fruits, shrimp and grits, eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, breads, desserts and more. Adults: $35, Seniors $25, Kids 7-12 $15, Kids 6 & under free. Call 404-924-2230 for reservations.
  • Sunday brunch buffet and Sunday Supper for dad at Wahoo! Grill.
  • Celebrate Father’s Day with Iberian Pig and receive a Father’s Day package to all Dads: $20 gift card good at any Castellucci Hospitality Group, golf analysis and lesson, car wash and a haircut at a top salon. Call 404-371-8800 for reservations.
  • Take Dad on a scooter ride at Twist ‘n’ Scoot or go with him to check out the new Evelo Electric Bicycles.
  • Mingei World Arts has some great unique gifts for dad including handmade cards.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »