McMansions Spark Debate in Decatur, Georgia

John Ruch took a drive with city of Decatur Planning Director Amanda Thompson to examine the city's McMansion issue. According to Ruch, "[Decatur] officials have learned that infill housing is consuming roughly 50 older houses and an uncertain number of trees a year."

"Infill has been happening in Decatur for decades, but in recent years the pace has been red-hot: 43 teardowns in 2012, 59 last year, 22 more so far this year. Last year, 72 percent of single-family homes built in the city were teardown or infill projects."

The city is taking the corresponding backlash and controversy over property rights and neighborhood character (including environmental concern's about the city's tree canopy) seriously, commissioning two studies and prepping "mitigation measures" that are expected for public discussion next month.

Decatur will also have a chance to address the growing controversy as it continues to revise its Unified Development Ordinance.