DECATUR, Ga. — The Decatur City Commission will meet Monday, Sept. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Decatur City Hall, located at 509 N. McDonough St., and virtually via Zoom. There will also be a dinner session at 6 p.m. and a work session at 6:30 p.m.
The work session will focus on energy and sustainability updates.
During the regular meeting, the city commission will discuss a report on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing.
The city has worked with the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Conservancy to develop the report. Naturally occurring affordable housing is…
“Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) is unsubsidized housing that is more affordable relative to market-rate housing,” the report says. “By contrast, subsidized affordable housing receives financial support to lower housing costs for tenants. Unsubsidized affordable housing is sometimes referred to as ‘naturally occurring’ because it is affordable within normal market conditions and without financial assistance.”
To access the meeting, follow these instructions:
To view the agenda, click here.
This meeting will be held in-person. Members of the public wishing to participate during either the “Public Comment” or “Requests and Petitions” portions of the meeting may attend the meeting in one of two ways:
1. Attend in-person by coming to Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St.
2. Register in advance at https://zoom.us/j/92444346799. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You may also participate by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering the meeting ID (The 11-digit number shown in the Zoom registration link.)
NOTE – This meeting will utilize virtual meeting technology. We cannot guarantee it will operate as planned. If your participation must be a matter of public record, attend the meeting in person or email your comments to City Manager Andrea Arnold at andrea.arnold@decaturga.com by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
Members of the public may also view the live broadcast of the Decatur City Commission meeting at https://www.decaturga.com/citycommission/page/streaming-video
“Even in the last five years, Decatur has lost several more-affordable units in their community,” the Georgia Conservancy website says. “However, the city has adopted policies and plans to help not only stop the loss but also encourage the creation of new affordable units.”
According to the report, the project looked at methods to preserve these affordable housing options and provides ideas to do so.
Affordable properties are at risk of being redeveloped as market pressures increase. Since 2019, the average sale price in Decatur has increase over 43 percent from about $650,000 to $900,000, according to the report.
“NOAH properties are not protected, and their status as affordable is at risk when properties are sold, renovated, or redeveloped,” the report says. “Rising prices for any reason (e.g. increased property taxes, increased insurance costs, and market pressure) can have an impact on the affordability of these properties.”
In other business, the city commission:
– Will consider purchasing 57 handguns and related equipment for the police department from GT Distributors Inc. for $55,600.
– Will consider approving an alcoholic beverage license for Roaring Social for consumption on premises of beer, wine and spirituous liquors.
– Will consider purchasing four Kubota vehicles for solid waste collection for about $170,000. The commission will also consider financing the purchase through the Georgia Municipal Association.
