License and Variance Board Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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December 10, 2025 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 8 of 20 attached carport, and new front and back porch. The home will be accessed from the existing driveway off Sharon Drive. Since the home is being doubled and the roof is being completely replaced, the home is considered new and must conform to the City’s current codes per Section 1102 of the Zoning Code. The subject property is 14,763 square feet, while the R-15 zoning district requires a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. Since the subject property is an existing lot of record, originally platted in 1951, the hardship is not self-created. If it were not for the nonconforming lot, no other variances would be required to build the new home. Additionally, the existing one-story home is 962 square feet, which is below the minimum house size of the R-15 zoning district of 2,000 square feet. With the new construction, the home will be 2,695 square feet and be brought into compliance with the R-15 zoning district floor area requirement. 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. 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 conditions: 1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon substantial compliance with the site plan and elevations submitted with the variance application. 2. An as-built survey shall be submitted prior to foundation pour due to the proximity to the setbacks. 3. Any damaged or broken curb caused during construction shall be replaced prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Harold Shoemaker – applicant/licensed general contractor – stated he understands and agrees to the three conditions read into record. A public hearing was called, and no one came forward in favor of or in opposition to this item. Board Member Andrea Worthy made a motion to approve item V25-108; seconded by Board Member Eric Randall. The motion to approve carried with the following vote: