Applicant seeks special permit and variance for accessory guest house at 6304 Melrose Street

The Douglasville Planning and Development Committee reviewed a request at its July 2 work session to hold a public hearing and consider a special land-use permit for an accessory guest house at 6304 Melrose Street (corner of Melrose and Estelle).

Community Development Director Dana Gray described the application and said the applicant is also seeking a variance because the corner lot has two frontages. Gray told council that for corner lots the accessory structure could be visible from the street and that the code generally limits accessory structures to side or rear yards unless a variance is granted.

Applicant Alex PPP, who identified his address as 8599 Estelle Street, told council the guest house is intended for "my grandmother for her long-term care." He said the structure will be no more than 50% of the main dwelling, will share utilities with the primary residence and will not have separate utilities or be available for rent. Alex PPP said he and his family have deep roots in the area and want the addition to be aesthetically compatible with the neighborhood.

Council members asked clarifying questions about how a guest house differs from an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Dana Gray said the forthcoming housing study (to be reviewed by council on July 16) will include analysis and potential code changes for ADUs, cottages and related housing options. The council opened a public hearing on the item but no members of the public spoke; the item was scheduled for formal consideration at the council’s July 6 voting meeting.

Why it matters: The request illustrates how the city is receiving and testing requests for accessory guest houses and ADU-like units while it considers broader housing code changes in a forthcoming study.