Committee of the Whole - HR Training Room — Minutes
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February 12, 2026 6:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Human Resources Training Room Page 2 of 5 Staff Recommendation: Approval of the zoning amendment to revise the site plan and elevations of Z21-014 within the MU-Conditional (Mixed Use) zoning district. Planning & Zoning Commission: Approve by a vote of 3-2 at the January 5, 2026, meeting. The proposed development will decrease the density and floor area of the previously approved plan. There are 45 townhome units proposed, which would reduce the residential density from approximately 25 units per acre to 10 units per acre. Additionally, a single drive-thru restaurant is proposed which would reduce the commercial area from 20,409 sq. ft. to 5,023 sq. ft. and reduce the overall required parking from 369 spaces to 172 spaces. The development includes 45 townhome units on 4.47 acres, with 21 being rear-entry and 24 being front-entry. An internal sidewalk is proposed for connectivity within the development with a connection to external sidewalks on Oakdale Road and S Cobb Drive. An amenity lawn is proposed in which 14 lots will have front yard connections. A mail kiosk is proposed at the north west corner of the amenity lawn. A new road is proposed within the development that will be built to public road standards. A full access drive is located on S Cobb Drive with a proposed deceleration lane, as well as a full access drive on Oakdale Road. Variances associated with the townhome development include: 1. A reduction of the side setback from 25 ft. to 12 ft. The drive-thru restaurant will occupy 2.4 acres with a building of 5,023 sq. ft. and 67 parking spaces. The restaurant facility includes a queuing lane with sufficient capacity to maintain traffic within the restaurant property. A detached canopy is proposed at the north for ordering and an attached canopy for pick-up. A 10 ft. landscape buffer is proposed along Oakdale Road as well as between the restaurant and townhome units, and a 5 ft. landscape buffer is proposed on S Cobb Drive. The buffers will consist of streetscape trees which are overstory trees planted every 40 ft. along Oakdale Road and S Cobb Drive as well as evergreen trees used for screening purposes for the restaurant and along the northern boundary of the townhome development. A full access drive is proposed on Oakdale Road with a deceleration lane for right turns entering the site. An additional full access drive is proposed on S Cobb Drive with a deceleration lane for right turns entering the site and a right and left turn lane exiting the site. All improvements along S Cobb Drive will require GDOT approval. Several variances were granted for the previously approved site plan. Additional variances associated with the restaurant include: 1. Allow a drive-thru restaurant in the MU zoning district. (Sec. 720.2.11) 2. Allow drive-thru facilities and associated queuing lanes be located between the building and the adjacent street. (Sec. 720.8.11) 3. Allow an additional accessory structure (Sec. 501.11) 4. Allow a garbage dumpster visible from the public street. (Sec. 717.81 (c)) and (Sec. 717.82 (a)). The City Engineer has reviewed the proposed rezoning with respect to transportation. The City Engineer has requested a sidewalk along S Cobb Drive and Oakdale Road for the length of the project, as well as connections to the buildings. Additionally, decelerations lanes are proposed for right-turns into the restaurant property on Oakdale Road, and deceleration lanes are proposed for right turns into the restaurant and townhome property along S Cobb Drive. Any improvement along S Cobb Drive will require Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) approval. The applicant is proposing two below ground stormwater management facilities for the townhomes and restaurant within the development. The City Engineer takes no exception