Commission recommends approval of personal care home at 4989 Thompson Mill Road

The Stonecrest Planning Commission on March 4, 2025, voted unanimously to recommend approval of Special Land Use Permit SLUP25-001 to allow a personal care home at 4989 Thompson Mill Road, forwarding the item to City Council with conditions.

Staff presented the property as a single-family dwelling in the Millers Cove subdivision on approximately 0.46 acres with a 2,258-square-foot dwelling built in 1972. Staff reported the closest personal care home is about 1,250 feet away, noted that public notice was mailed to properties within 1,000 feet and said two neighbors spoke in support at the CPIM.

Applicant Raffaro Edwin Moyo spoke to the commission about the proposal and described the property layout, parking and plan for on-site staffing. "Also nearby the hospital as well, and also nearby the fire department," Moyo said, noting proximity to pharmacies and emergency services as a benefit for medically vulnerable residents. The applicant said the house has six bedrooms and that he would hire a full-time nurse and caregiver to provide 24-hour on-site coverage if the permit is approved.

Supporters spoke in favor during the public comment period. One speaker who identified himself as Michael described his personal experience navigating long‑term care options and said he favored the applicant because the proposed model included an owner‑resident requirement and an expectation of upkeep. Jane Moyo, a Stonecrest business owner, addressed state rules and noted that personal care homes with fewer than 24 residents do not require a nurse on-site under state regulation but operators must be trained to assist with medication management.

Staff recommended conditional approval and listed conditions that the city must verify: state licenses and Stonecrest permits must be obtained prior to operation; if the owner is a corporation/LLC the identified administrator must reside at the home; an individual operator must live at the facility; licenses must be visibly posted; signage must conform to code; and City permits are non‑transferable.

Commissioner Eric Hubbard moved to recommend approval with the staff conditions; Commissioner Lemuel Hawkins seconded and the commission voted 3-0 to forward the conditional approval to City Council.

Next steps: the recommendation goes to City Council for final action; the applicant must obtain all required state licenses and the Stonecrest business license and meet the staff conditions before operating under the city permit.