Young Harris, GA — The Decatur City Commission and city staff traveled Young Harris, Ga., last week for their annual retreat. On Friday, Feb. 25, the board set their goals and priorities for 2022 which include topics like affordable housing, transportation, master planning and equity.

Day one of the retreat on Thursday featured discussions on the highlights of 2021, priorities for 2022 and evaluating the city’s strengths and weaknesses and concluded with an executive session, a closed-door meeting that is legal under Georgia law.

Friday’s discussion featured an overview of the city’s 2021 work plan and the items that will roll over to 2022. In the first half of the year, the city commission will begin working on the downtown master plan, host engagement opportunities on the noise ordinance and hold another work session on the impact fee program and vote on the impact fees.

The city also plans to start working with City Schools of Decatur to design the athletic facilities that will be at Legacy Park. Also, related to the park, the city will continue getting feedback and figure out the financing for the South Housing Village at Legacy Park. The commissioners and city staff additionally discussed releasing a request for qualifications for the North Housing Village later in the year.

Open houses for the clean energy plan are underway. The city will host another open house on the plan on March 8 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and March 9 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The City Commission anticipates having a work session on the plan in the second quarter of the year.

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