Douglasville planners hear applicant’s request for accessory guest house; applicant says it will house his grandmother

Community Development Director Dana Gray presented a public hearing on July 2 for item 26-189, a special land use permit to allow an accessory guest house at 6304 Melrose Street (corner of Melrose and Estelle). Gray said the structure would be an accessory guest house, not an ADU, and reviewed key limits: the guest house will be 50% or less of the main dwelling’s square footage, will not have separate utilities, and will not be rent‑restricted for separate leasing.

Applicant Alex Popham, who gave his address as 8599 Estelle Street, told the council the proposed guest house is intended for “my grandmother for her long‑term care” and said he and his family have deep roots in the area. Popham added he wants the building to be “aesthetically pleasing” and to complement the neighborhood.

Because the property is a corner lot with two frontages, the applicant also requested a variance (item 26-188) from section 3.03.b to allow the accessory structure to be located along the street frontage; Dana Gray explained that on a non‑corner lot an accessory structure would have to be in the side or rear yard. Gray and council members clarified that access would use an existing driveway off Estelle Street and that the guest house would not have separate utilities.

Planning Chair Nicole Miller opened the public hearing; no members of the public stepped forward to speak either in favor or opposition. Council indicated they will take the items up at the Monday voting meeting; no vote was taken during the work session.