The Augusta Planning Commission tabled the contentious matter of a proposed group home in the Barton Chapel Hills neighborhood, Wednesday afternoon.
Dorinda Anin-Amponsah petitioned Richmond County for a special exception allowing her to establish a personal care home in a five-bedroom, two-bath house at 3602 Abbey Road for six elderly clients.
Anin-Amponsah, a pharmacist, told commissioners that she and her husband, a nurse, elected to start the business because of their years as healthcare professionals tending to seniors.
“When I did my research in terms of that specific area, it was a quiet area. There was a lot of elderly people living there already,” she said. “And mind you, these people are our brothers, our sisters, our uncles, our aunties. So they’re not weird, or they’re not they are individuals just like us, just needing that extra care and that extra help.”
Several residents from the neighborhood attended to oppose the request and the proposed care home. Charles Carson, speaking on behalf of the neighborhood as its president, told commissioners that he was unaware of Anin-Amponsah’s intention to open a care home and that she had not discussed the prospect with him.
Eric Gaines, another nearby homeowner, told the board that he and Anin-Amponsah did speak, but that he was under the impression she had intended to purchase the home as a personal residence.
“This isn’t one of those neighborhoods where the property has changed over multiple times as an existing older community quiet, and we don’t want this type of attention in the community,” said Gaines.
Responding to a question from Commissioner Donnie Smith, Anin-Amponsah disclosed she had spoken to some people in the neighborhood (though some vocally denied this), but had not spoken to her immediate neighbor.
Planning staff recommended approval of the request with conditions. Commissioner Smith asked legal to explain for the record what prohibited the commissioners from recommending disapproval. City attorney Lanetha Pitts responded that while the commissioners could vote to recommend disapproval, doing so could possibly leave them open to a lawsuit, as personal care homes have special protections.
The structure on the property is considered residential, Pitts explained, which is in character nature of the neighborhood — “which is why staff recommended approval.” Pitts further stated that individuals in such homes also have special protections, and that the commissioners would need specific, “concrete” reasons to recommend disapproval.
“I simply wanted that on the record, so that you good people that came down here would understand the position that we’re in,” said Commissioner Smith, noting that he “wholeheartedly” agreed with the opposing attendees. “I want you to understand the legal obligation that has been put upon us by our lawyers who represent the city.”
Commissioner Douglas Prince proposed postponing the case for October’s meeting, with which Commissioner George McKnight agreed, and for which made a motion. The board ultimately approved revisiting the item after 30 days, to give time for Anin-Amposah to discuss her proposal with neighbors.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
