License and Variance Board Meeting — Minutes
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March 25, 2026 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 3 of 8 The applicant is proposing two variances to develop a vacant lot at 2881 Jonquil Drive: reduce the northern side setback from 15 feet to 0 feet and reduce the front setback from 50 feet to 25 feet. Section 717.162 controls the setbacks for properties within the Spring Road Corridor Design District (CDD-2). The subject parcel is a 0.33-acre lot located on the east side of Jonquil Drive, just north of Spring Road. The subject parcel and the adjacent parcels to the north, east, and west are zoned GC (General Commercial) while the adjacent parcel to the south is zoned NS (Neighborhood Shopping). All are occupied by a variety of commercial uses, with the exception of the subject property and the adjacent property to the north, which are both vacant. The subject property is currently occupied by a billboard at the rear of the property (near Spring Road) and a train caboose, which was placed on the property in October 2025. The applicant is proposing to renovate the 400 square foot caboose structure to be used as an ice cream parlor. To support the proposed business, the applicant will also be adding a 192 square foot bathroom structure and 2,307 square foot raised deck for seating and access; since all will be connected, the entirety is considered one overall structure per Zoning Code. A designated food truck parking space and sidewalk access along Jonquil Drive are also proposed to enhance the site ‘s functionality. Due to the property’s location within 1,800 square feet of Spring Road, a redevelopment of the property requires that the site meet Spring Road Corridor Design District (CDD-2) overlay requirements as well as the current Zoning Code. The existing billboard at the rear of the property includes a 35-foot maintenance easement, which exceeds the required 30-foot rear setback. As a result, the proposed structures must be positioned closer to Jonquil Drive in order to remain outside of the easement area. Additionally, there are two large Water Oak trees on the property (measuring 68 inches and 39 inches in diameter), which are being preserved as an essential part of the project. To protect the trees and their associated critical root zones, the proposed raised deck is designed to minimize ground disturbance. The deck will connect to the front parking area, reducing the need for additional concrete installation near the tree located adjacent to the parking area. The adjacent property to the north is currently vacant but is also owned by the applicant. The applicant has expressed interest in potentially developing this property in the future to complement the proposed project, though specific plans have not yet been finalized. To allow for potential future connectivity, the applicant is requesting the elimination of the northern side setback to connect the deck walkway to the existing concrete pad on the adjacent property. This connection would also provide a safer pedestrian route for customers who may park on the vacant parcel, allowing them to avoid walking along busy Jonquil Drive. Community Development believes the variances requested are the minimum variances needed to allow for a redevelopment on the subject property. At the time of this report, Community Development has not received any calls in opposition to these requests. The applicant is requesting to deviate from the City’s Spring Road Corridor overlay district requirements. 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.