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Douglasville council approves variances and UDO changes, debates parking for a Highway 5 redevelopment
Summary
Council approved three planning items: a variance for 1425 Municipal Parkway (MHL Solutions), an amendment to a prior variance for 9465 Highway 5 (LJA Engineering) after debate about parking and unit sizes, and an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance to add a new zoning classification with design standards.
Douglasville City Council on July 20 approved several planning and zoning items after staff presentations, applicant testimony and council discussion.
Councilwoman Nicole Miller introduced the planning and development items. The council approved Item 26-220, a variance from Section 8.01 of the Unified Development Ordinance for a 2.0-acre parcel at 1425 Municipal Parkway (application by MHL Solutions). Council members asked whether suitable truck routes exist for deliveries; applicant Larry Hurst said the parcel is surrounded by heavy-industrial parcels and staff and council discussed a continuous truck route following Highway 92 and Veterans Memorial. After discussion, the council moved to approve the variance.
The council then considered Item 26-219, a request to amend a condition of a previously approved variance (RES-2025-30) for 1.30 acres at 9465 Highway 5 (application by LJA Engineering). Dana Gray of city staff said there were no new updates and the applicant presented. Terry Boomer of LJA Engineering described a change in market demand that led the applicant to reduce individual storefront sizes — providing figures in the record (proposed unit sizes around 1,742–2,233 sq ft) — and said the proposed parking was set at 33 spaces to match the revised internal layout. Boomer argued smaller shop spaces are more marketable and tend to produce short visits rather than long-term parking. Council members pressed on traffic and the precedent of parking exceptions: Councilwoman Miller said she was concerned about reduced parking and asked whether the council should require additional spaces; Mayor Pro Tem Terry Miller and others noted that retail uses often do not fill lots to capacity and expressed willingness to try the proposal and reassess if problems arise. After debate, the council moved and approved the amendment.
Finally, the council approved Item 26-226, an ordinance amending Article 3 of the Unified Development Ordinance to add a new subsection 3.08 and amend subsections 2.02 and 8.01 for a new zoning classification. Dana Gray outlined updates to the lot development and design standards: maximum lot area for new development set at 5 acres, minimum lot area 4,000 sq ft, covered porches minimum 6 feet deep, decorative column examples, and roofing limited to architectural asphalt shingles or standing seam metal in a neutral color palette; the community development director or designee will review designs for approval. The council approved the ordinance as presented.
Motion and voting details recorded in the meeting showed each item moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The approvals complete the planning committee’s agenda for the evening; council members asked staff to monitor traffic and parking outcomes if any issues emerge.
