License and Variance Board Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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August 27, 2025 10:00 AM City of Smyrna License and Variance Board Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 2 of 8 walls are being moved, and the roof is being completely replaced, the home is considered new and must conform to the current Zoning Code per Section 1102 of the Zoning Code. The subject property is 11,021 square feet, while the R-15 zoning district requires a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. Since the subject property is an existing lot of record, originally platted in 1951, the hardship is not self-created. As mentioned, the existing one-story home is 768 square feet, which is far below the minimum house size of the R-15 zoning district of 2,000 square feet. With the new construction, the home will be a total of 2,036 square feet, bringing the property into compliance with the R-15 zoning district floor area requirement. The existing home, originally built in 1952, currently sits directly in the middle of the 10- foot side setbacks. Since the new home will reuse the existing foundation and driveway, there is no additional room to add any type of covered parking space outside the side setbacks without moving the structure to the rear of the lot and drastically increasing the amount of driveway required. Due to the existing concrete driveway, the most logical area to construct the carport is within the western side setback to decrease disturbance to the subject property and surrounding neighbors. The subject property is unique in that it has less square footage than what the R-15 zoning district requires. The hardship is not self-created as the property is an existing lot of record. The variances requested are the minimum variances needed to build a new single-family home on the subject property and provide covered parking. Community Development does not believe building a new single-family home on the subject property in accordance with the R-15 zoning requirements will negatively impact the surrounding properties as there is an existing home on the subject property. Similar variances have been granted at 1069 Mclinden Avenue in 2020 (V20-054) and 1068 Mclinden Ave in 2025 (V25-013) so there is a precedence for this type of variance in the immediate neighborhood. 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 City’s minimum lot area requirement and side setbacks established for the R-15 zoning district. 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. Community Development believes that the requested variances will not adversely affect surrounding properties. Therefore, staff recommend approval of the requested variances with the following conditions: 1. Approval of the requested variance shall be conditioned upon substantial compliance with the site plan and elevations submitted with the variance application. 2. Any damaged or broken curb caused during construction shall be replaced prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Brad Thompson, applicant, stated he understands and agrees to the two conditions read into record. Board Member Jones asked if the accessory structure/shed was going to remain on the property. Mr. Thompson said it would eventually come down.