Dunwoody Council Amends 20-Year Plan Amid Senior-Living Debate

Major Revisions to Dunwoody's 20-Year Comprehensive Plan

During a lengthy and intense Dunwoody City Council meeting on July 28, the council made substantial revisions to its proposed 20-year comprehensive plan. This document will serve as a guiding framework for future commercial and residential development in the city. The draft, although non-binding, is expected to influence major decisions regarding land use and zoning.

The revised plan will now be sent to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for review. After this process, it will return to the council for another public hearing before it can be officially adopted. The timeline for final adoption remains uncertain, with city staff indicating that the plan may not be finalized until later in the year due to the review process and potential additional changes.

Focus on Character Areas and Senior Housing Proposal

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing acceptable uses for each of the defined character areas within the city. One of the most contentious topics was the Ashford character area, located along Ashford Dunwoody Road near Ashford Center Parkway. This area has become a focal point due to a proposed low-income senior housing complex.

Dominium, a property management and development company, has requested a rezoning of the property from O-I (Office Industrial) to PD (Planned Development). This change would allow the site to be redeveloped into an age-restricted, income-restricted housing community featuring 220 rental units, along with a 240-space underground parking garage and eight surface visitor parking spaces.

Despite strong opposition from some residents, the city’s planning commission recommended the proposal by a 4-1 vote on July 8. The project will now move forward to the council for a public hearing and first reading on August 11.

Community Concerns and Designation Changes

Opponents of the Dominium project sought to reclassify the senior-living use from green (appropriate) to red (inappropriate). Former Georgia State Senator Dan Weber, during public comments, argued that limiting the density of the proposed apartments (64 units per acre) would help preserve the character of neighborhoods.

While the council did not approve moving the senior-living use to red, it was shifted to a yellow designation. However, this change may not have a significant impact on the Dominium proposal, which is set for consideration in August. The new comprehensive plan is unlikely to be adopted for several months due to the required reviews and possible modifications.

Ongoing Debate and Public Response

Robert Wittenstein, a former Dunwoody City Council member and vocal opponent of the Dominium project, expressed disappointment with the outcome but acknowledged that the council had a professional and thorough discussion. He also noted that the new plan represents an improvement over the existing one.

Su Ellis, another resident who opposes the project, shared similar sentiments. While disappointed with the decision, she felt that the community’s concerns were being heard. “We are happy with the recognition that maintaining our neighborhoods is the top priority,” she said. Ellis added that she expects this philosophy to guide future zoning and development decisions.

Additional Actions Taken During the Meeting

Throughout the meeting, council members made numerous motions regarding acceptable-use designations. In many cases, senior-living, multi-use, and mixed-use developments were moved from green to yellow in several character areas.

In other actions, the council: * Recognized Sarv Dharavane, a fifth grader who placed third in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. * Discussed potential solar energy options for the city hall building. * Received a report that the city’s 2024 audit revealed no significant findings.

Next Steps and Future Developments

Dunwoody city staff is still analyzing the various changes made to the comprehensive plan during the meeting. Further details on the revisions will be reported once the city releases its official meeting summary.

As the process moves forward, the debate over the Ashford character area and the senior-living proposal is likely to continue, reflecting the ongoing tension between growth and preservation in the community.