Salvation Army seeks R5 rezoning in Dalton to expand transitional housing; commission approves recommendation

The City of Dalton planning portion of the meeting considered a request by the Salvation Army to rezone 1.74 acres on Trammell Street and Jones Street from C‑1 to R‑5 to legalize existing duplexes and permit construction of two additional duplexes for transitional housing.

Sebastian Arochi, representing the Salvation Army, told the commission the parcels already contain existing duplexes and that the organization is pursuing a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is coordinating with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to expand a transitional‑housing program. Arochi said the Salvation Army’s program provides six‑month to two‑year free transitional housing with the goal of moving residents into stable permanent housing and that recent program outcomes included high success rates.

Staff recommended approval, reasoning that the R‑5 zoning would be consistent with adjacent multifamily and duplex development, would bring nonconforming residential duplexes into conformity and would fit the town neighborhood character area identified in the comprehensive plan. Public commenters and neighbors did not register opposition at the hearing.

The planning commission voted to recommend approval; the recommendation will proceed to the City Council for final action. The Salvation Army said state agencies had suggested an expanded grant request up to $5 million to scale up the program, but the immediate request was for two duplexes under a $1.5 million grant application.

The commission’s recommendation seeks to align zoning with existing use and to enable the nonprofit to pursue HUD funding and expand local transitional housing capacity.