Board approves special exception for a 201 South Kate Street infill lot

The Decatur Board of Adjustments approved a special exception (BOA260002) for a proposed single-family home at 201 South Kate Street, allowing deviations from the city’s standard lot width and lot-area requirements.

Planning Director Lisa Hannan presented the staff report and recommended approval. Hannan said the applicant proposes a lot width of 48.4 feet (code requires 50 feet) and a lot area of 4,353 square feet (code requires 8,000 square feet) and that 24 property owners were notified with no written responses. "This is one of our infill development properties," Hannan said as she entered the report into the record.

Applicant Cliff Spence, who identified himself as a builder and developer with Spence Residential Properties, told the board the intent is to build a starter/move-down house of about 1,600 square feet with front-porch design elements compatible with the neighborhood. "It's gonna be about 1,600 square feet… it'll kinda be like it," Spence said, describing the house as a two-story layout because of the narrow lot.

The Chair opened and closed the public hearing with no other speakers and then called for a motion; the board approved BOA260002 by voice vote (motion announced as from Buster, second from Jay). The board’s approval was recorded as BOA260002 approved in the meeting minutes.