License and Variance Board Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 5 of 7 The subject property is unique in that it has less square footage than what the R-15 zoning district requires. The hardship is not self-created as the property is an existing lot of record. The variance requested is the minimum variance needed to build a new single- family home on the subject property. Community Development does not believe building a new single-family home on the subject property in accordance with the R-15 zoning requirements will negatively impact the surrounding properties as there is an existing home on the subject property. In fact, the same variance was approved next door at 1191 Medlin Street in April 2025 from the same applicant (V25-035). At the time of this report, Community Development has not received any calls in opposition to the request. The applicant is requesting to deviate from the City’s minimum lot area requirement established for the R-15 zoning district. According to Section 1403 of the Zoning Ordinance, variances must be reviewed under the following standards: (1) Whether there are unique and special or extraordinary circumstances applying to the property; (2) Whether any alleged hardship is self-created by any person having an interest in the property; (3) Whether strict application of the relevant provisions of the code would deprive the applicant of reasonable use of the property; and (4) Whether the variance proposed is the minimum variance needed. Community Development believes that the requested variance will not adversely affect surrounding properties. Therefore, staff recommend approval of the requested variance with the following condition: 1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon substantial compliance with the site plan and elevations submitted with the variance application. Harold Shoemaker, applicant, stated he understands and agrees to the stipulation read into record. A public hearing was called, and no one came forward in favor of or in opposition to this item. Board Member Bo Jones made a motion to approve item V25-040; seconded by Board Member Andrea Worthy. The motion to approve carried with the following vote: Aye: 3 – Chairperson Garland, Board Member Jones, Board Member Worthy Nay: 0 – None Recuse: 0 – None E. V25-043 Public Hearing - Variance Request - V25-043 - Reduce the front setback from 35 feet to 25.6 feet - Land Lot 453 - 945 Sharon Circle - David Gernatt Ward 3 Councilmember - Travis Lindley Caitlin Crowe, Planner I, provided the following background: The subject parcel is a 0.44-acre corner lot located on the northeastern side of Sharon Circle. The subject parcel and all adjoining parcels are zoned R-15 and are all occupied by single-family detached homes within the Smyrna Heights subdivision. The applicant currently has an uncovered set of stairs leading to the front door with no landing on the top. The applicant is proposing to replace the existing stairs with a 188