Commission recommends approval for accessory guest house at 6304 Melrose Street; applicant says unit is for family care

The City of Douglasville Planning Commission recommended approval of two related items that would allow an accessory guest house to be built at 6304 Melrose Street.

Staff explained the variance request (item 26-188) is for a corner lot where the accessory structure would face a street frontage, which otherwise conflicts with Section 3.03B of the Unified Development Ordinance. The follow-up special land use permit (item 26-189) would authorize construction of the accessory guest house under R2 zoning standards; staff said the proposed 413 heated square-foot structure meets the code limit that accessory units not exceed 50% of the main house’s heated area.

Aaron McCollum of HRC Engineers, representing the applicant, said both driveways have existed for years and that the accessory guest house is intended to provide overnight or daytime space for family and part-time caregivers for the applicant’s grandmother. “This accessory guest house will be... about 413 sq ft,” McCollum said, and he described the unit as having a full kitchen and bathroom.

Commissioners asked whether an accessory guest house could later be turned into a rental or a short-term rental. A staff representative said accessory units cannot be utilized as short-term rentals; the transcript also notes that the council removed a previous requirement for special land use approval for short-term rentals earlier in the year. The applicant said there is no intention to make the unit a short-term rental.

After questions, the commission moved and seconded recommendations of approval for both the variance and the special land use permit. The chair announced both motions passed and said both items will be heard by the mayor and city council at their June 11 legislative meeting and voted upon on June 15.

The commission’s action is advisory; final approval and any permit conditions will be decided by the mayor and city council.