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Commission approves group‑home zoning standards including one‑mile spacing rule
Summary
Johns Creek Planning Commission approved a staff‑initiated zoning text amendment to define group homes and add administrative‑permit standards, including a proposed one‑mile spacing limit, occupancy limits (4 unrelated or up to 6 including owner), and parking rules. Vote: 4–0.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a staff‑initiated text amendment (A‑25‑002) to add a definition and administrative permit standards for group‑home use in residential zoning districts.
Director Song read the proposed definition into the record and said the amendment would create standards to manage group homes that provide housing and supportive services for people with disabilities. “Group home will be defined … as a residential dwelling unit containing 4 or fewer persons, excluding resident owner or no more than 6 persons, including the resident owner,” Director Song said, reading the draft language.
Staff proposed four administrative standards, including a 1‑mile minimum separation between group homes, limiting a group home to a single dwelling unit, requiring common use of non‑bedroom space, and parking at the rate of one space per two bedrooms with visible on‑site parking capped at four vehicles. Song said the 1‑mile criterion was chosen to avoid local proliferation while remaining mindful of constraints under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Commissioners questioned the rationale for the 1‑mile spacing, whether existing group homes would be grandfathered, how ADA or accessibility upgrades would be triggered, and what enforcement mechanisms would apply if complaints arise. Song said the one‑mile spacing is intended to space facilities reasonably across the city and that existing group homes would not be forced to relocate; enforcement primarily relies on complaint‑driven code compliance and, as appropriate, involvement of police or other agencies.
Commissioner Himanshu Carnewell moved to approve the ordinance text amendment as presented; the motion passed 4–0.
