Contested hearing held over proposal to open six‑resident personal care home in Douglasville neighborhood

Mayor Pro Tim and Councilwoman Nicole Miller presided over a public hearing May 14 after Planning staff introduced a special‑land‑use application by Honor Senior LLC to operate a six‑resident personal care home at 6339 Cornelia Drive.

The applicant, Dalia Wa, owner and operator of Honor Senior LLC, told council she operates an existing licensed personal care home in the county and is seeking city approval for a second house because of demand. “This expansion is not just for a business decision. It is an opportunity to serve more families, support our aging population, and strengthen our community,” Wa said, adding the home will follow state licensing, fire marshal inspections and staffing requirements.

Supporters at the hearing said smaller personal care homes can be an affordable alternative to larger assisted‑living facilities. Emanuel Japon, who described the applicant as family, said approving the permit would “invest into the seniors’ well‑being.” Other backers cited the applicant’s compliance history and the need for small‑scale senior care.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition. Ka Tilman said the neighborhood purchased homes for a residential character and warned such operations can “erode the quality of living.” Another resident, Andrean Hubbert, urged the applicant to “do it someplace else,” noting concerns about 24/7 occupancy and long‑term changes to the block.

Council members pressed staff for additional factual context. Planning staff (Chelsea Tubs) agreed to provide, at the May 18 meeting, an inventory of senior housing types in Douglasville (personal care homes, assisted living, senior apartments) and to verify parcel and building records (there was uncertainty in the hearing transcript about whether the house is listed as three or five bedrooms in property records). Councilwoman Nicole Miller also noted the Planning Commission recommended denial at its May 5 meeting and asked members to weigh neighborhood impacts before the May 18 vote.

The applicant and several speakers emphasized that the state regulator conducts inspections without prior notice and that the provider must meet state rules on room capacity and staffing. Wa said state inspectors “come randomly every three months” and will revoke a license if violations are found. Opponents questioned whether a small staff could safely care for residents with dementia or high medical needs and asked for clarity about parking and bedroom counts.

The council closed the public hearing and deferred a final decision to the May 18 voting meeting. The record before the council will include Planning staff’s inventory of senior housing, property‑record clarifications and any additional materials the applicant supplies.

The council did not take a vote at the work session; staff and commissioners said they would bring the item forward at the Monday meeting for final action.