License and Variance Board Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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May 14, 2025 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 5 of 9 The proposed three-car garage will be accessed from the existing driveway off Hickory Circle, which will be reconfigured to be wider and angled slightly for a better turning radius from the street. (Note that there is a second driveway off Hickory Place, but any addition to this portion of the property would require additional land disturbance since it is a one- car driveway and a streetside setback variance would be required since the property is a corner lot.) The existing carport currently encroaches 2.3 feet from the side property line, which will be increased to 7 feet once the addition is completed. The nearest structure on the adjacent property to the west sits 50 feet away from the abutting side property line, so there should be little impact to the adjacent property. Community Development believes the variance requested is the minimum variance needed to maintain covered parking on the property. Due to the existing carport location on the western side of the home, the most logical area to construct the addition is within the side setback to decrease disturbance to the subject property and surrounding neighbors. No other variances are required since the property is below the impervious coverage of 35% and the front porch expansion will be maintained within the front setback. 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 development standards established by the City for the R-20 zoning district, which requires a minimum side setback of 12 feet. 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. After a review of the standards above, Community Development believes that the encroachment will not adversely affect surrounding residents; therefore, staff recommends 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. Christopher Spears, applicant, stated the home was built in 1964. He understands and agrees to the standard 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 V25-045; seconded by Board Member Mary Moore. The motion to approve carried with the following vote: Aye: 3 – Chairperson Worthy, Board Member Jones, Board Member Moore Nay: 0 – None Recuse: 0 – None