Oakhurst: Historic district or not?

Metro Atlanta

Oakhurst: Historic district or not?

Oakhurst section of Decatur is bitterly divided over a proposal to make one section of the neighborhood a historic district.

The Oakhurst section of Decatur is bitterly divided over a proposal to make one section of the neighborhood a historic district.

Jaquarri Cooper, 10, pushes a scooter in front of his great-grandfather's huse on Cambridge Ave. His great-grandfather, Marshall Kendrick Jr., opposes the historic district.

Some residents say the modest, boxy houses are such an integral part of the neighborhood's character that they must be protected, particularly at a time when "teardowns" and "McMansions" have become part of the real estate lexicon.

Eric Flamm moves into the house he's renovating at 134 Feld Avenue. Flamm worries that historic status would bring too many regulations.

Two houses at the corner of Leyden Street and Feld Avenue show the comparison between an old and new house in the neighborhood.

Oakhurst grew up as one of Atlanta's streetcar suburbs and was an independent city before being annexed by Decatur in 1914. The Universal Joint is among businesses in the neighborhood's commercial district.

One the main intersections in the district. The neighborhood declined in the 1960s and '70s along with much of intown Atlanta before experiencing a renaissance in recent years.

Now, three residents have filed papers asking Decatur's Historic Preservation Commission to make part of Oakhurst a historic district, which would prevent most of the older homes in the area from being knocked down.

Various trees along the streets have markers describing their species.

Ko Yamamoto (left), with his children Matthew (center) and Aly as he repairs a stroller tire on the porch of his home on Third Avenue. He is against the historic district.

Katie Barton (left) and Spencer Barton, with their 4-month-old baby Blake, enjoy a pizza at Mojo Pizza in the business district.

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The Oakhurst section of Decatur is bitterly divided over a proposal to make one section of the neighborhood a historic district.

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