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Contested hearing: Douglasville residents split over proposed six‑bed personal care home on Cornelia Drive
Summary
An applicant seeking a special‑use permit to operate a six‑resident personal care home at 6339 Cornelia Drive faced mixed public comment at a May 14 work session: supporters cited affordability and demand; neighbors warned of neighborhood character, unclear bedroom counts, and long‑term impacts. The planning commission recommended denial; council will take the item up May 18.
Douglasville — A proposed personal care home for up to six residents at 6339 Cornelia Drive produced a contested public hearing at the City Council’s May 14 legislative work session.
Planning staff (Chelsea Tubs) explained that the applicant, Honor Seniors Personal Care Homes, seeks a special land use permit to operate a personal care home in an R‑2 single‑family residential zone. Applicant Dalia (Dolly) Wa described the operation as a small, home‑like setting for residents ages 65–100, said she operates another licensed home in the county with six residents, and said state inspections and licensing will govern operations and room assignments.
"Honor Senior Care Home was founded with a simple mission to provide safe, respectful, high‑quality care for elderly residents in a home‑like environment," Wa said, adding that the business will obtain required state licenses, follow fire‑safety inspections, and employ professional staff including certified nursing assistants.
Several residents and family members spoke in favor, saying the proposed home would provide needed, more affordable options for seniors. Emanuel Japon and other supporters described family connections to the applicant and urged council to approve the permit.
Other neighbors urged denial. Kima Tilman, who lives on Elma Street near the site, said she has seen similar care homes change neighborhood character and lower property values and called this the "wrong community" for the use. Other opponents raised concerns about whether the house is properly permitted for five or three bedrooms on tax records, whether staffing ratios and dementia care needs are adequately addressed, and the potential for 24/7 operations to alter the residential character.
Planning staff and the applicant said state regulators inspect personal care homes on a recurring basis and that licensing and fire marshal inspections set occupancy and room standards; the applicant said state social workers periodically visit existing operations. Councilwoman Nicole Miller noted the planning commission voted to recommend denial at the May 5 planning commission hearing; councilmembers asked staff for a current inventory of senior housing in the city and requested verification of the tax‑recorded bedroom count prior to the May 18 voting meeting.
The council closed the public hearing and deferred action to its May 18 meeting so members can review additional information in the meeting packet and consider the planning commission recommendation.
