Douglasville hears housing study and considers new 'MDR' zoning for cottage-style homes

Consultants from Matrix Design Group presented a housing market study to the Douglasville City Council on July 16, outlining demographic growth, affordability gaps and recommendations for zoning and incentives. Mayor Rochelle Robinson convened the work session where council members discussed the findings and agreed to place the study on the consent agenda for the Monday voting meeting.

The study, delivered by Matrix research lead Christian Karen and planning director Jen Todd Goins, reported that Douglasville's population recently crossed 40,000 and that homeownership and renter incomes diverge substantially. Karen summarized key measures: "The population recently crossed the 40,000 mark," and the firm found median rents near $2,000 and a median homeowner income markedly higher than renters. The presentation identified areas at elevated risk of displacement, notably the west and southeast near downtown, and highlighted that roughly 48% of households own their homes while rental market affordability falls short of most renter incomes.

Jen Todd Goins said the report combined quantitative sources (American Community Survey, Redfin, Zillow) with community engagement, noting the resident survey received 93 responses that underscored concerns about housing costs and demand for a wider mix of housing types. "The vast majority of people said that it was at least somewhat important, very important or important for the city to offer a wider mix of housing options," Goins said.

Council member Relayna Hudson (Housing & Community Affairs chair) introduced the presentation and then introduced a staff proposal to add a new zoning classification, MDR (Medium Density Residential), which staff described as intended to enable cottage-style single-family homes, accessory dwelling units and other smaller footprints for infill and downtown areas. Planner Dana Gray summarized the MDR draft: minimum lots of about 4,000 square feet, homes sized roughly 800–1,200 square feet, design standards (porches, compatible materials), and parking and garage guidance intended to preserve a cottage-scale character.

Council members asked detailed questions about where MDR would apply, minimum setbacks, and design guardrails. Council discussed limiting MDR to downtown and New Horizons as a test area versus making it available citywide; staff noted that because MDR would be a new classification, any project would require rezoning and come back to council for approval. Mayor Robinson and other members emphasized the need for clear design standards and monitoring provisions tied to any incentives.

The council indicated it was comfortable placing the housing study resolution and related zoning items on the consent agenda; formal adoption and any rezonings will be taken up at the next voting meeting. The presentation concluded with staff noting an implementation matrix that assigns short-, medium- and long-term tasks to responsible departments.

What happens next: The housing study resolution and the MDR ordinance proposal were placed on the Monday consent agenda for final action, and any developer-initiated MDR rezones would return to council for individual review.