Decatur City Commission To Vote On Lowering Sycamore Drive Speed Limit

The Decatur City Commission will vote Monday night on whether to lower speed limits and install traffic calming measures in the Decatur Heights neighborhood.

The city conducted speed studies and site evaluations. The public works department recommends the city commission approve one idea: lowering the Sycamore Drive speed limit to 25 from 35 mph from Pinehurst Drive to the northern city limits.

The city staff opposes the proposal of traffic calming devices at Sycamore Drive, Ridgeland Avenue and Springdale Street. The staff says the commission should consider an all-way stop signs in the Sycamore Drive curve at Grove Street.

The city commission is also scheduled to vote on improvements at .

The proposed changes include the elimination of four parking spaces on Sycamore Street so the church can expand the terrace at the church entrance, construction of a mid-block crosswalk, cutting down a walnut tree and widening the Church Street sidewalk.

The recommends approval of the terrace. The city staff opposes the crosswalk and wants to wait on the tree and Church Street sidewalk changes.

The commission will also conside liquor licenses for The Pinewood, a restaurant that will occupy the old Cakes & Ale space at 254 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., and Greene's Fine Foods at 141 W. Trinity Place. The city staff recommends approval.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Monday in city hall. City commission meetings (but not work sessions) are broadcast live on Comcast channel 25. They are rebroadcast at 2 p.m. the Saturday after the meeting.

The commission will hold a dinner session at 5:30 p.m. and a work session at 6:30 p.m. on .

The task force is looking at ideas such as expanding urban gardening, identifying areas for light manufacturing or coming up with innovative parking strategies.