Posted in Sustainability, tagged Public Works, recycling, snow, trash, weather on January 28, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Due to the weather, residential recycling pick up was suspended before today’s routes could be completed. If your recycling is normally picked up on Tuesday but was not picked up today, it will be picked up later this week. Please continue to check back here for updates on trash and recycling pick up.
Posted in Meetings, Sustainability on January 15, 2014 | 2 Comments »
The proposed Decatur Tree Conservation Ordinance is available along with the administrative standards that will be use to implement the new provisions. Several elements of the proposal would significantly change the City’s approach to tree conservation as compared to the current ordinance, and we want your opinion.
In October 2013, the City Commission passed a 90-day moratorium on tree removal. Additionally, they fast-tracked the development of a new tree ordinance that would reflect current best management practices in the industry.
That effort has been underway with the assistance of tree consultant, Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, and the City Commission is scheduled to consider the recommendations at their regular meeting on January 21st at 7:30pm. Please review the materials and provide your opinion using Open City Hall. The forum for this discussion will be open from January 16th – January 21st (noon).
Summary of Tree Conservation Ordinance
Common Questions about the Tree Conservation Ordinance
Decatur Tree Conservation Ordinance
Draft recommendations were presented to the City Commission during a work session on January 6th. A recording of the presentation is available online here.
What are the major changes proposed in the new ordinance?
We welcome all comments and questions. Please review the materials and provide your opinion using Open City Hall. The forum for this discussion will be open from January 16th – January 21st (noon).
Posted in Meetings, Sustainability on January 6, 2014 | 2 Comments »
Draft recommendations for a new tree ordinance were presented to the City Commission during a work session on January 6th. Recent community concerns have brought an increased level of urgency to the subject, prompting city commissioners to pass a 90-day moratorium on tree removal in October, 2013. Additionally, they fast-tracked the development of a new tree ordinance that would reflect current best management practices in the industry.
That effort has been underway with the assistance of tree consultant, Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board, and engaged stakeholders who have provided their input to the process.
A recording of the presentation is available online at decaturga.com
The presentation documents are provided below, which accurately reflect the policy goals and operational structure of the proposed ordinance. The ordinance draft is currently being revised to ensure consistency with these goals, and will be available shortly. We apologize for the delay.
Questions or comments can be submitted online at DecaturNEXT.com or by contacting Amanda Thompson at amanda.thompson@decaturga.com, or 404-370-4104
Posted in Events, Sustainability on December 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Just a quick reminder to join us tomorrow evening!Trees! Crafting Decatur-Appropriate Regulations
December 11 | 7-9pm
City Hall Commission Meeting Room
509 North McDonough St.
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The meeting will begin with a 30-minute presentation by the city’s tree consultant, Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, followed by an opportunity for attendees to consider various policy direction alternatives and provide feedback on their preferences.
MEETING MATERIALS:
Current Tree Protection Strategies
Impact of Development on Trees
If you have any questions, contact Amanda Thompson at amanda.thompson@decaturga.com or 404-370-4104
Posted in Meetings, Sustainability on December 4, 2013 | 1 Comment »
Join us to review and comment on Decatur’s tree ordinance
How Decatur manages its tree canopy has always been a component of the Unified Development Ordinance initiative currently underway. However, recent community concerns brought an increased level of urgency to the subject, prompting city commissioners to pass a 90-day moratorium on tree removal and fast-track the UDO’s tree-related requirements. That effort is now in process and its work-in-progress will be presented and discussed Wednesday, December 11.
Trees! Crafting Decatur-Appropriate Regulations
December 11 | 7-9pm | City Hall Commission Meeting Room
The meeting will begin with a 30-minute presentation by the city’s tree consultant, Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, followed by an opportunity for attendees to consider various policy direction alternatives and provide feedback on their preferences.
Resident input will then be factored into the working draft and finalized recommendations will be completed in early January. Those recommendations will be posted on the DecaturNEXT website for review prior to the Commission’s consideration, which will take place January 21, 2014 at 7:30pm in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room.
Join us at the meeting then check back often for updates. And in the meantime, provide your comments and questions directly to the city here.
If you have any questions, contact Amanda Thompson at amanda.thompson@decaturga.com or 404-370-4104
Posted in Events, Sustainability, tagged Agnes Scott, Agnes Scott College, Decatur Cemetery, Oakhurst, oakhurst greenspace, sheep, Trees Atlanta on December 2, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Missed the sheep when they feasted at Decatur Cemetery in September? You’ve got a second chance to meet them, this time in the Oakhurst Greenspace just south of Agnes Scott College.
“Meet the Sheep” is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The sheep should be around for four or five days, depending on how quickly they eat invasive species like kudzu and Chinese privet.
More info can be found on the Trees Atlanta website.
Posted in Events, Sustainability on October 16, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
WHEN: Saturday, October 19, 2013, 8:00 a.m.- noon
WHERE: DeKalb County Sanitation Division
Central Transfer Station
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, Ga. 30030
This event is free for DeKalb County residents, including residents of City of Decatur (ID required). Household hazardous wastes are products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals which should not be disposed of in regular trash because of the environmental damage they can create. Examples of acceptable items include: batteries, fluorescent bulbs, paints, paint (10 gal max) and lawn-care products.
Get all the details in the event brochure!
Posted in Events, Sustainability on October 7, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Back for its 14th year, the annual Trees Atlanta Tree Sale promises to be bigger and better than ever! Approximately 200 species of trees, plants, and tree-friendly vines will be sold, and there is something for every tree lover. Free to attend, the tree sale takes place Saturday, October 12th, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, located at 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316.
October is the perfect time to plant trees in North Georgia. The Trees Atlanta Tree Sale is a prime buying and planting opportunity for first-time tree planters and long-time tree enthusiasts alike. Come early because some species sell out fast. Some new additions this year include citrus options, like orange, lemon, and lime!
Posted in Historic Preservation, Sustainability, tagged Decatur Cemetery, Fox 5, green, news, sheep, Sustainability, TV on September 30, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
In case you missed it, Fox 5 Atlanta aired a story Friday morning about the sheep eating Japanese hops & kudzu in Decatur Cemetery. Check it out: City calls in sheep for clean up at Decatur Cemetery
Posted in Sustainability, tagged Decatur Cemetery, dogs, Living Green, sheep, Sustainability on September 24, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
For those of you wondering when the sheep in Decatur Cemetery will arrive, good news: the sheep are here! They should be at the cemetery for the next 7 – 10 days, depending on how quickly they eat. (The rule of thumb is 100 sheep can clear one acre in one week.) The community is welcome to come see the sheep and their guardian dogs anytime the Cemetery is open.
More photos on Facebook
Additional information about using sheep to control invasive plant species can be found at the Trees Atlanta and Ewe-niversally Green websites.
