Milton Board recommends approval of pool construction variance despite permit violations

The City of Milton Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) convened on February 18, 2025, to address a variance request concerning a residential property in the Hopewell Plantation subdivision. The meeting focused on an appeal related to a pool construction project that began without the necessary permit.

The applicant purchased the property in September 2022 and submitted a pool permit application in July 2024. However, construction commenced in early September 2024, prior to the permit's approval. The applicant explained that the contractor mistakenly believed the permit had been issued. On September 16, 2024, a city building inspector discovered the ongoing construction during an unrelated inspection.

The property in question has a lot depth of 267 feet and a width of 176 feet, with an existing single-family home built in 1991. Since 2012, the City of Milton has mandated a maximum lot coverage of 20% for properties on public streets. Currently, the lot coverage stands at 36.74%, with the applicant proposing to reduce it to 30.24%, a decrease of 6.23% or 3,210 square feet. This reduction is part of the applicant's plan to remove existing pavers and gravel, while also incorporating a rain garden for stormwater mitigation.

During the meeting, the Design Review Board (DRB) expressed support for the variance request, acknowledging the applicant's efforts to comply with city regulations despite the initial construction oversight. The DRB noted that the existing structures, including a gazebo and a bird pond, were built before Milton's incorporation and thus predate the current lot coverage requirements.

The BZA discussed the implications of the proposed changes, including the necessity for water quality treatment for all new impervious surfaces as determined by the city development engineer. The board also considered the potential impact of removing the existing fountain and bird pond, which would further reduce the lot coverage by an additional 0.8%.

In conclusion, the BZA meeting highlighted the applicant's commitment to rectifying the situation and improving the property in compliance with city regulations. The board's recommendations and conditions for the variance will be crucial in guiding the next steps for the applicant as they seek to finalize their pool construction project.