Decatur staff proposes residential infill procedure with fee reimbursements, sales‑tax rebate and permit flexibility

City staff on Tuesday presented a draft residential infill procedure intended to encourage rehabilitation or new construction on underutilized lots inside Decatur by offering permitting incentives, regulatory flexibility and streamlined review.

Key measures in the draft

- Minimum investment: Projects must involve at least $50,000 of residential investment to qualify for incentives, staff said.

- Fee reimbursement: Staff proposed reimbursing up to 50% of application, permit and inspection fees as a reimbursement after the structure is declared ready for occupancy. The staff presentation said reimbursements could cover the totality of fees incurred during the permitting review if multiple stops are required.

- Sales‑tax rebate: The draft includes an option for a sales‑tax rebate of up to 50% of the city portion on locally purchased building materials; staff said legal review would be required and an agreement would be needed…