Mayor and Council Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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April 07, 2025 7:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 4 of 9 1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon substantial compliance with the site plan submitted with the variance application. 2. The ice vending machine must not impact Fire Department access to and around the building and must not negatively impact the Fire Department access to any of the adjacent parcels which are recognized with cross-parcel access. Councilmember Lindley asked if this had gone through the variance process, it would have been allowed. Mr. Martin stated that Community Development recommended approval and the License and Variance Board would likely have approved it. Councilmember Wilkinson asked where people will park to get ice. Mr. Martin stated that on the streetside of the building there is approximately 50 feet, and there is additional parking on the west side. The vending machine process is about one minute and does not affect existing parking for the restaurant. Doug Stoner, Silver Lodestone, Inc., stated this used to be a Dairy Queen, and it was sold to Hibachi Express. There will be a lease with the owner of Hibachi Express. They have been operating this type of machine for about seven years throughout Cobb County. At the proper time, they will adhere to any future sign requirements. The machine bags the ice and presents it immediately. They want to put these machines in sites that are reputable with good property owners. Councilmember Wilkinson asked if there is a maintenance or service schedule that occurs. Mr. Stoner stated that the company has car washes that has its own in-house maintenance crew who will maintain the machine. Preventative maintenance is done twice a year. There will also be a trash can, cameras, and good lighting on site that will be maintained by the company. A public hearing was called. Terry Stookey, owner of Reliable Hydraulics, Inc. (2600 S. Cobb Drive), stated he was not sure about the one-foot variance off the property line because it is a very congested area. During the work week there is a lot of truck traffic. Councilmember Welch asked what he would feel comfortable with. Mr. Stookey was not sure it made sense, and one foot is very close. Councilmember Wilkinson expressed she has concerns about the traffic congestion, including the truck traffic in the area where the machine would be. Mexico Lindo restaurant is also right there. She is not convinced that people who stop to get ice will utilize the Hibachi Express area and will congest other areas. Councilmember Susan Wilkinson made a motion to deny item V25-017; seconded by Councilmember Charles Welch. The motion to deny failed with the following vote: Aye: 1 – Councilmember Wilkinson Nay: 6 – Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley, Councilmember Welch, Mayor Pro Tem / Councilmember Gould, Councilmember Oglesby Recuse: 0 – None