DeKalb City Council approves development plan for Adventure Works expansion

DeKALB – A local outdoor counseling organization is about to tie up some loose ends in its zoning plans with an eye on potential expansion following a recent DeKalb City Council vote.

The City Council voted, 8-0, to approve zoning map and ordinance amendments for Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Inc. during the council meeting this week. All aldermen and Mayor Cohen Barnes were present at the meeting.

According to city documents, the counseling center submitted a petition to rezone the property at 1221 Sycamore Road from the SFR2 Single-Family Residential District to the PDR Planned Development Residential District. The petitioner is also requesting an amendment to Ordinance 2018-068 to allow for the expansion of the Adventure Works outdoor activities area along Sycamore Road to the vacant lot at 1221 Sycamore Road.

“The petitioner bought the vacant lot in December 2019 and had the dilapidated home on it demolished,” city officials wrote in the documents. “The PD-R zoning will match the zoning currently on the Adventure Works properties at 1211 and 1215 Sycamore Road.”

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas said during the Monday meeting that Adventure Works also was seeking approval of a waiver to the Unified Development Ordinance for a planned development of less than two acres. The subject site is 0.17 acres, with the lot being combined with two other lots owned by Adventure Works, resulting in a total of 1.15 acres.

“But this is certainly a planned development – more planned than any less than two acres in town,” Nicklas said. “And it’s all good.”

A waiver to that requirement has been approved multiple times before, most recently with rezoning requests at 304 N. 10th Street and 1221 W. Lincoln Highway, city staff wrote.

The update comes after the DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission voted, 5-0, during its Sept. 6 meeting to recommend the Council’s approval.

“The welcome intent of the petitioner is to tidy up various zoning ‘loose ends’ and establish a unified development plan for its several small parcels,” city officials wrote.

Katie Watts, executive director for Adventure Works, attended the Monday City Council meeting but did not provide public comment before or after the council vote. Watts wrote in a Wednesday email she was “really happy with the Council’s vote on Monday.”

“I’m grateful for the amazing community support that is present in DeKalb,” Watts wrote. “At Adventure Works, we are dedicated to providing outdoor therapeutic experiences for youth and families throughout DeKalb County. The rezoning of the vacant lot helps us continue the great work and expand our challenge course and green space.”