License and Variance Board Meeting - Council Chambers — Minutes
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July 22, 2026 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 2 of 5 The applicant is requesting to retain the full kitchen within the basement to include a refrigerator, dishwasher, and stovetop range. The homeowner has finished the basement to include a full bedroom, bathroom, family area, and kitchen when completed. The basement is to be used as entertainment space for family and is not to be rented or occupied for gain. Section 402.24 of the Zoning Ordinance defines a dwelling unit as, “a building or portion thereof, designed, arranged and used for living quarters for one family only, but not including units in hotels or other such structures designed for transient residence. An individual bathroom and complete kitchen facilities, permanently installed, shall be contained within each dwelling unit.” City’s Zoning Code restricts one complete kitchen per single-family dwelling; therefore, a variance is needed to retain the second kitchen in the basement of the home. The finished basement will appear as part of the main structure and will not be divided by any fire wall. Additionally, there is limited access to the basement door from the outside, which is only accessed from the rear via a moderate slope. Thus, the addition could not easily be converted to a separate rental unit by future owners. Were it not for the kitchen, no other variances would be needed to finish the basement. Community Development has been supportive of similar variances where the second kitchen has been proposed for family only and where the second kitchen could not easily be converted into a rental unit or duplex. Furthermore, similar variances have been approved nearby in the Vinings Estates and Enclave at Cooper Lake subdivisions. These previous variances have been for homes of similar size and type with no known detriment to the surrounding areas. The applicant has requested a variance to permit a second kitchen in a single-family home. 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 second kitchen will not adversely affect surrounding residents, nor set a negative precedent for future homebuilding in the area. Community Development recommends approval of the requested variance with the following stipulations: 1. Approval of the requested variance is conditioned upon substantial compliance with the floor plans submitted with the variance application. 2. The basement shall not be rented or occupied for gain, except as permitted in Article IX of Chapter 22 as it pertains to the operation of short-term rental units. 3. These conditions shall run in perpetuity with the property and as such are also applicable to any future owner. Chairperson Jones asked how the city learned about the kitchen that had not been submitted for a variance. Ms. Crowe stated that it was discovered at final inspection. When inspectors arrived, it did not match the plans that had been submitted. Vikram Bollineni, applicant, came forward. Chairperson Jones asked Mr. Bollineni how the plans submitted did not include the kitchen. Mr. Bollineni explained that it was a timing issue. There were so many delays along with not understanding how the variance process worked. Once the stone was installed, it triggered the variance requirement. Mr. Jones asked what the intent of the second kitchen is. Mr. Bollineni stated it is for his growing son, visiting friends, and visiting family. It will not be used as a rental. He stated that the