Planning officials are proposing changes in  Conyers' zoning guidelines in an effort to encourage development of housing for the a growing senior population that currently has very few options within the city.

"There has been a change in the demographic, and we felt that now was the time to address housing for people who are getting older," City Planner JP Alexander told the Conyers/Rockdale Planning Commission during a meeting Thursday night. "We want to keep them in our community because they are an important part of our community and we want to allow them to age in place."

The zoning changes, which were approved by the commission and will now go before the Conyers City Council for final approval following a public hearing, make provisions to the city's Residential/Multi-Family District and the Office/Institutional District. The changes are designed to allow senior living developments to be built in close proximity to retail areas while also decreasing the square-footage to be realistic and affordable for one- to two-bedroom senior-only (55+) residences.

If approved, the new guidelines will require open spaces and walkable trails that accommodate all methods of mobility utilized by senior residents.