Commissioners defer change to R75/R85 minimum unit size after wide public comment; plan for more outreach

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners deferred for 90 days a proposed amendment to Chapter 27 that would reduce the minimum unit size for single-family dwelling units in R75 and R85 zoning districts.

The item drew multiple public speakers in favor, who said smaller units can help fill vacant lots and allow for affordable infill. “It seems like in the past, houses didn't have to be 1,600 or 1,800 square feet,” said Steven Benny, a resident who urged the change. Another speaker argued sidewalks and easement issues make larger builds impractical in some neighborhoods.

Opponents and several commissioners raised concerns about property values, tax base impacts and unintended density effects. Commissioner Davis Johnson said developers have told him that smaller homes can sometimes cost more per unit and concentrated infill could affect the tax base. Commissioner Long Spears (PO Long Spears) emphasized the need for additional comparative pricing data and for community councils to weigh in; the record notes community councils 1, 2, 4 and 5 had approved the change while council 3 asked to wait until a District 3 commissioner was in place.

After discussion, Commissioner Long Spears moved to defer the item for 90 days so district and community council input could be gathered; the motion passed. Staff noted that the change to minimum unit sizes last occurred in the late 1990s and that RSM minimum currently is 1,200 square feet.

Outcome: Deferred 90 days to the second business meeting in July, with instructions to send the item to Community Council 3 for review and to provide comparative pricing and housing-affordability data ahead of the return hearing.