Summary
The City Commission appointed the 11 member Zoning Ordinance Revision Task Force (ZTF) to recommend changes to the zoning ordinance as part of the ongoing implementation of the 2010 Strategic Plan. The plan can be found at www.decaturnext.com. The ZTF has spent the past year considering several tasks from the Strategic Plan and they are ready to make a recommendation.
They would like your input on the following recommendation:
"The ZTF recommends that the city establish a definition for Light Manufacturing, allow this use in the C2 General Commercial and C3 Heavy Commercial districts and limit the size of these types of buildings.
Proposed Definition:
Light manufacturing: the assembly, fabrication or other industrial process of finished parts or products, primarily from previously prepared materials, or the indoor provision of industrial services where there are few external effects (such as noise, dust, glare, odors or vibration) across property lines. This term includes but is not limited to, a business engaged in the processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment or packaging of food, beverages, textile, leather, wood, paper, chemical, plastic or metal products. These uses are characterized as lower in intensity, cleaner, and more compatible when located adjacent to commercial areas than are heavy manufacturing uses.
Light manufacturing size limitation:
Light manufacturing building footprints shall not exceed 50,000 sq. ft. Light manufacturing lot widths shall not exceed 250 feet in width."
Background
While Decatur is poorly suited for conventional manufacturing, nice industries could include artisanal food processing, artist studios, clean technology and the production of high-value consumer goods. Currently, manufacturing type uses are limited to the C3 – Heavy Commercial Zoning District. There is no language in the zoning ordinance to recognize artisanal food processing, clean technology or the production high-value consumer goods. Examples could include breweries, glassblowing shop and solar panel fabrication.
Have Your Say
Should the City adopt the proposed changes? Choose your preferred option and then click on POST to have your say!
