Planning commission approves accessory dwelling unit at Woodhill Lane property

The East Point Planning Commission on Oct. 16 granted a use permit for a habitable accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 2478 Woodhill Lane, authorizing a roughly 450-square-foot accessory unit behind an existing single-family house, subject to compliance with applicable state and city building codes.

Applicant representative Richard Winfrey presented site photos, a site plan and interior layout showing a one-bedroom ADU with kitchen and porch. He told the commission the ADU footprint is about 30 by 15 feet (450 square feet) and that the proposed arrangement meets the land-use and setback requirements for the property’s zoning and lot size.

A neighbor, Deborah Joseph of 2469 Woodhill Lane (across the street), spoke in opposition, saying the block is primarily single-family, noting the neighborhood’s older residents and asking whether the ADU would change density, create a separate driveway or raise safety concerns. The applicant’s representative and staff responded that the application met public-notice and community-information requirements, that the applicant will comply with building and plumbing code requirements through the permit process, and that staff had recorded six citizens attending the pre-application community meeting (virtual). The applicant said parking/access questions would be resolved during site-plan and building-permit review.

Staff recommended approval with the condition that the project adhere to all applicable state and city codes. Commissioners voted to accept staff’s recommendation and approve the use permit.

The approval allows the homeowner to proceed to building-permit review; the ADU must meet code, parking and utility-connection requirements before it may be occupied.