Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 05 Super District 07
Application of Tawanda Vauss for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow for a personal care home for more than six (6) individuals in the RSM (Small Mix Residential) zoning district, at 7566 Union Grove Road.
Body
PETITION NO: N7-2025-0630 SLUP-25-1247471
PROPOSED USE: Personal care home, for more than six (6).
LOCATION: 7566 Union Grove Road, Lithonia, Georgia 30058
PARCEL NO. : 16 186 01 007
INFO. CONTACT: Lucas Carter, Planner
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of Tawanda Vauss for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow for a personal care home for more than six (6) individuals in the RSM (Small Mix Residential) zoning district.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: (June 2025) Approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION: (July 8, 2025) Pending.
PLANNING STAFF: Approval with one (1) condition.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant requests a Special Land Use Permit to increase the capacity of an existing personal care home from six to more than six individuals. The property, known as Edna Mae Lockett Personal Care Home, is located on a 2.91-acre parcel and has been operating since 2017 with state and county licensure for up to six residents. The site is developed with a single-story residential structure, and the applicant proposes no building additions, no exterior modifications, and no signage. The request is made in conjunction with a rezoning application from R-85 to RSM. The site meets the dimensional standards and off-street parking requirements of the RSM district and has sufficient land area to support the proposed increase in occupancy. The subject parcel includes four private rooms and three shared bedrooms, allowing accommodation for up to 10 residents. Staff has verified that the site complies with supplemental regulations for personal care homes under Section 4.2.41 of the Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, there are no other facilities of this type within 1,000 feet as the nearest is over 3,000 feet away, and the existing driveway is adequate to accommodate required staff and visitor parking. The proposal is consistent with the goals of the 2050 DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan, which supports expanding housing choices and allowing residential care options in suburban neighborhoods. Policy statements in the Plan encourage personal care facilities to be integrated into the community fabric to allow aging-in-place and to respond to growing demand for senior and disability care (page 39, 2050 Comprehensive Plan). The use is suitable given the development of surrounding properties, which consist predominantly of single-family residential homes. The personal care home retains residential form, scale, and intensity, and no adverse operational or traffic-related impacts are expected. The parcel is located along Union Grove Road, a two-lane public street with adequate capacity and frontage for emergency access and routine travel. Utilities, fire service, and septic infrastructure are in place or readily upgradeable if needed. No objections were recorded at the required community meeting. Upon review of Section 27-7.4.6 of the Zoning Ordinance (SLUP Criteria A-T) and Section 4.2.41 (Supplemental Regulations for Personal Care Homes), staff finds the request to be consistent with Comprehensive Plan policies, compatible with surrounding uses, and supported by site conditions. Therefore, staff recommends "Approval with one (1) condition" of the Special Land Use Permit to allow more than six individuals at 7566 Union Grove Road.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: (July 8, 2025) Pending.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: (June 2025) Approval 6-0-0.