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Decatur ARB approves amended COA allowing front ribbon driveway, solid rear pad
Summary
The Decatur Architectural Review Board approved an amended Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) allowing a ribbon driveway from the curb to the midpoint of the house with a solid exposed-aggregate pad toward the rear; the board left ribbon width and final details to staff and the applicant to finalize.
The Decatur Architectural Review Board on Nov. 13 approved an amended Certificate of Appropriateness permitting a ribbon driveway across the front of a historic lot with a solid vehicle pad toward the rear.
Staff presented the application in the Kaver Historic Overlay, explaining precedent and design guidelines that favor ribbon driveways at the street to preserve the historic streetscape. Staff recommended a motion to require ribboning from the curb cut to the midpoint between two front windows and to allow a continuous solid exposed-aggregate pad from that midpoint to the rear of the lot, with ribbon width and final construction details to be set by staff in consultation with the applicant.
A member moved to accept the amended COA as proposed; the motion was seconded and the board voiced its support. The transcript records affirmative “aye” responses but does not record a roll-call tally by individual member name.
Board materials and staff commentary noted the practical reasons behind the compromise: ribbon driveways preserve front-yard character while a solid rear pad reduces mud and makes parking and trash handling easier for residents. Staff said the motion will allow them to finish technical measurements and finalize the ribbon width without requiring the applicant to return to the full board.
The COA approval is limited to the design as described; specific materials and dimensions will be confirmed in staff correspondence with the applicant. The board did not record any additional conditions in the hearing beyond the motion’s language.
Next steps: staff will finalize the ribbon width and other details with the applicant and then issue the COA according to the city’s established procedures.
