Lennar Proposes 41 Townhomes at Former LifeSouth Blood Center Site in Dunwoody

Homebuilder seeks rezoning to build owner-occupied townhomes after community opposition to previous affordable housing plan

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:31pm

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Lennar, a major American homebuilder, is proposing to redevelop the vacant LifeSouth Community Blood Center site in Dunwoody, Georgia into a 41-unit townhome community. The proposal comes after the Dunwoody City Council denied a rezoning application last year for a high-density, subsidized housing project on the same site, which faced strong opposition from local residents. Lennar's plan adheres to the city's existing zoning code and calls for a mix of 20-by-44 and 14-by-40 foot townhomes ranging from 1,500 to 2,100 square feet and priced between $500,000 and $650,000.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of the LifeSouth site has been a contentious issue in Dunwoody, with the community previously rejecting a proposal for affordable housing due to concerns over density and location. Lennar's new plan for owner-occupied townhomes appears to be a more palatable option for local residents, who have expressed interest in features like elevators and green spaces. The outcome of this rezoning effort could set the tone for future development in the area.

The details

Lennar's conceptual site plan calls for 41 townhome units split between two distinct product types on the 3.42-acre LifeSouth site. The townhomes would be three stories tall and have a density of just under 12 units per acre, aligning with surrounding residential developments. The larger 2,100-square-foot units would be priced around $650,000, while the smaller 1,500-square-foot townhomes would be listed for approximately $500,000. Lennar has not yet submitted a formal rezoning application, as city code requires a six-month wait after the previous application's denial before a waiver can be filed.

  • LifeSouth's property at 4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road is currently listed for sale.
  • Lennar plans to submit a rezoning application in the coming months.
  • The Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting on January 18, 2026 was the first public presentation of Lennar's townhome proposal.

The players

Lennar

A major American homebuilder that is proposing to redevelop the LifeSouth Community Blood Center site into a 41-unit townhome community.

LifeSouth Community Blood Center

A Florida-based nonprofit that currently operates a blood donation center at the 4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road site, but is pursuing a sale and redevelopment of the property.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association

The local community organization that hosted the meeting where Lennar presented its townhome proposal, and previously opposed a high-density affordable housing plan for the same site.

Dominium Apartments

A developer that previously proposed a high-density, subsidized housing project for the LifeSouth site, which was unanimously denied by the Dunwoody City Council.

Nat Ackerman

The land acquisitions manager for Lennar's Atlanta Division who presented the townhome proposal to the Dunwoody Homeowners Association.

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What they’re saying

“I would think that what you guys are proposing and how you're proposing to do it might be a breath of fresh air for people in the room tonight.”

— Tim Brown, Dunwoody Homeowner Association President (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“This layout is conceptual but continues to show the overall organization, rather than the final engineering. We definitely place strong emphasis on long-term quality and appearances. That variation in durable materials obviously helps ensure that the community remains attractive over time.”

— Nat Ackerman, Land Acquisitions Manager, Lennar Atlanta Division (roughdraftatlanta.com)

What’s next

Lennar has not yet submitted a formal rezoning application to the Dunwoody Planning Commission, as city code requires a six-month wait after the previous application's denial before a waiver can be filed. The company plans to submit the rezoning application in the coming months.

The takeaway

The redevelopment of the LifeSouth site in Dunwoody has been a contentious issue, with the community previously rejecting a proposal for affordable housing. Lennar's new plan for owner-occupied townhomes appears to be a more palatable option, as it aligns with the city's existing zoning code and addresses some of the community's previous concerns. However, the outcome of this rezoning effort will still be closely watched, as it could set the tone for future development in the area.