2026-41 Ordinance Granting Conditional Use Permit for Historic Neighborhood Preservation Use at 357 West Decatur Street

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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION In 2009, the City of Decatur adopted the Decatur and Macon County Comprehensive Nan. The Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan designates the lots as "Residential-Low Density"and it borders a"Mixed Use-Commercial/Residential Use"area. PROPRETY CONDITIONS AND HISTORY The home was built between 1909- 1910 as a private residence for Charles Powers. The property was restored in the late 20th century by the Bachrach Family. It is once again in disrepair and will require extensive work to restore the roof, fix water damage to the walls, floors and balconies and reverse numerous years of deferred maintenance. The necessary repairs are extensive enough that it is unlikely to be undertaken by an owner for solely residential use. When the property was recently listed, it received communications of interest by well over 100 individuals from across the country, all of whom(with the exception of the applicant) decided to pass on making an offer due to the amount of deterioration of the property. The current applicant is willing to take on the project, and live in the home, if it can also be used as a "destination wedding"and other event venue. In this way, it can also be used to generate revenue to help cover the stabilization and restoration of the property. Under past ownership(especially under the ownership of the Bachrach family),the mansion served as both a home and as a venue for business meetings, training and open houses for community events, similar to what is being proposed by the potential purchaser. Currently the City's Zoning Ordinance does not have a stated use for"Wedding Venue"but does allow a wide latitude of uses as part of a"Historic Neighborhood Use"which is a Conditional Use in the R-6 district. The applicant does not propose to alter the exterior of the mansion (except for roofing, balcony stabilization,and if necessary, window replacement). The applicant is stating that the restoration will take 1-5 years to complete and have fully operational as a wedding and event venue space. DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT The current owner will sell the property to Amanda Lyberger after the Conditional Permit is approved by the City of Decatur. Lyberger is proposing to turn the residence into a wedding venue.