Alpharetta planning commission approves parking reduction and gated access for Dogwood Square senior housing

The Alpharetta Planning Commission on June 5 approved a parking special exception and a variance to allow gated access for Dogwood Square, a 100‑unit low‑income senior housing development at 555 Janice Lane, as part of a planned rehabilitation of the property.

Staff described the request as a reduction in required parking from 90 spaces to 86 spaces (a decrease of four spaces) and a variance to permit gating of the private Janice Lane. Staff said the building serves very low‑income seniors and physically handicapped residents and that the requested changes would support rehabilitation work, improve resident safety and deter spillover parking from the adjacent Maxwell mixed‑use development.

Michael (planning staff) explained that Dogwood Square is a 3.1‑acre, five‑story residential property built in 1987 that provides 100 units and serves low‑income seniors and physically handicapped individuals. He said a parking variance was previously granted in the 1980s that reduced parking from an original 100 spaces to 90; the current request seeks an additional reduction of four spaces to allow exterior amenity, ADA and emergency access improvements. Michael summarized staff’s seven recommended conditions, which include developing site improvements substantially as shown on the submitted plan; permitting Janice Lane to be gated with private maintenance; gate access equipped with siren, keypad, Knox key and compliance with IFC 503.6 as referenced; allowing the parking reduction; placing "no parking" and "no turnaround" signage as approved by staff; dedicating a 10‑foot public access easement for the Alpha Loop at the property end subject to HUD approval; and replacing a chain‑link detention pond fence with decorative black metal and perimeter shrubs.

Susie Watson, representing ManSmart Development and the project applicant, described an interior and exterior renovation program that will relocate residents temporarily, fully renovate units and common areas, and add amenities such as an expanded community room, kitchen with two ovens, computer stations, fitness space and raised, accessible garden beds. Watson said the project has secured low‑income housing tax credits from the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and that the owner—a nonprofit with a mission focus—intends to maintain affordability; she said the mortgage will be paid off in 2027, at which point affordability restrictions would no longer be required under the current financing structure but the current owner intends to preserve the property’s mission. Watson told the commission there were about 37 people on the site’s waiting list and that the project aims to break ground in August or September and finish construction before the end of 2026.

Commissioners asked about parking counts, ADA spaces, and measures to prevent spillover parking from the Maxwell development. Staff and the applicant said the site plan includes red‑striped curbs and signage to allow enforcement, and staff recommended signage and striping be required as part of the approval. A commissioner also asked about sidewalks; staff pointed to the adjacent Alpha Loop alignment and said an easement for a potential future connection is included as a condition, though no funding was identified in current plans.

A commissioner moved to approve the application subject to the seven staff conditions and the punctuation clarification on the signage condition; another commissioner seconded. The chair recorded the motion as carried. Staff said the commission’s recommendation will go before the City Council in June.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the planned rehab while reducing on‑site parking by four spaces and installing a gated entrance and other measures intended to improve resident safety and site amenities. Several commissioners emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate enforcement and accessibility given the resident demographic and the city’s broader concerns about parking supply as redevelopment continues.