Parking amendment goes to the City Council

By Evan Belanger
evanb@decaturdaily.com · 340-2442

Looking for a place to park?

With today's growing families and trends toward buying cars for children as young as 15, finding a parking space in one's own driveway can be a challenge at times.

But a proposed amendment to the city's zoning ordinance soon could make that task a little easier.

The Decatur Planning Commission approved Tuesday a change to the city's zoning ordinance that increases the minimum number of required off-street parking spaces for some residential areas.

The matter now goes to the City Council for final approval.

If approved, the changes would require at least two off-street parking spaces for each residential dwelling throughout the city.

Current regulations require only one space for dwellings in some zoning districts and 11/2 spaces for each apartment.

According to Building Department Director Jimmy Brothers, the changes came about when city officials realized there were gaps in the city code that allowed some zoning districts to have no parking at all.

Planning Department Director Michelle Gilliam-Jordan said they chose to require two parking spaces to make the rule more consistent and easier to follow.

The amended ordinance will not be retroactive.

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