[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6519369,"mediaKeyId","5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587","parentId",5360720,"title","Planning commission backs variance for historic‑style fence at 107 Rope Mill Road","audioSeconds",5468,"startMs",186000,"endMs",5654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587&start=186&end=5654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587/thumbnail_186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519369/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-backs-variance-for-historicstyle-fence-at-107-Rope-Mill-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519369-acdbcc9f5db1e5cea66c6fb8d7e4dea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136853&Signature=STNErnhO9H-hjsGGkrU76sU1eTzPGPIXbCDq~9WS8Ikj7QqFbnGjuSUThNcLabT9HoeumRTPlX6bqN~CXNLVNb08Xe2JS~Vx1rJUYr~Ip2ejiuoNs9UieXVqW0~wSvIm6wMOC7Yta38EX5OrcbIJM~ruzt5U6CkvEb1DB57GBOunogG6v0QQCv-jcvD6ZI~awsfioCm-Vn80kFuZW3OvemfNCqN~EcD9Vb09brNfLkYXFFDaTu0tuRTPLn7alB5spjBH9eaCXDS7dIpiLJP~RuqEEQAA0OVS1EL6J2zZqwZLZaKxFB7bZ~aUZcWpnSBvlivQJTpTS5uNpdlbJMVA9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Woodstock GA ","date","2025-07-10T18:58:00Z","article","The Woodstock Planning Commission on a 5‑1 vote recommended that City Council approve a variance allowing a 60‑inch fence placed atop an 18‑inch knee wall at 107 Rope Mill Road, a property in the downtown historic overlay. Staff had recommended denial because the downtown code limits fences between the street and a principal façade to a maximum height of 40 inches.

The variance request concerned a vacant 1.35‑acre parcel at the corner of Rope Mill Road and Kyle Street where owners John and Erin (Aaron) Grigsby plan to build a two‑story, roughly 7,000‑square‑foot historic‑style single‑family residence. Planning staff presenter Hannah Menard told the commission the fence shown on the submitted site plan would require a variance because it exceeds the downtown 40‑inch maximum.

The Grigsbys told commissioners they initially received city correspondence in 2020 from then‑Community Development Director Brantley Day saying the project could proceed under the lot‑of‑record rules if they dedicated 2 feet of frontage to the city and split the estimated $5,640 cost of a 10‑foot Greenprint trail (their share: $2,820). John Grigsby said he and his wife accepted that arrangement, obtained a site plan under the earlier staff interpretation, and later reworked the plans after COVID and subsequent nearby development plans changed the project. The applicants said the proposed fence and knee wall reflect the house scale, pool safety needs and security for rescued greyhounds they keep on the property.

Public comment was heavily in favor of the Grigsbys’ design. Neighbors and nearby residents — including Rodney Strickland, Paul Tandera, Al Harrington, Dennis Conway and Joe Cook — described the lot as unique within the downtown historic overlay, supported restoring a historic‑style house and argued a taller iron fence would be visually appropriate. One speaker, Courtney Semculli, opposed the variance, citing safety concerns about brick pilasters near a sidewalk and the risk that a 5‑foot fence would not prevent a dog or child from leaving the property.

Commission deliberations focused on two tensions: the downtown code’s clear 40‑inch limit on street‑facing fences and a written 2019–2020 staff communication the applicants relied on that the earlier administration had interpreted as permitting their plan if they completed the dedications and payment. Commissioners said ordinances exist to preserve downtown character but that written commitments from city staff also carry weight. The motion that passed includes these conditions: the property must remain residential for the variance to apply; the Brantley Day 2020 items (two‑foot dedication of right‑of‑way and the $2,820 cost share for the 10‑foot trail) should be memorialized and fulfilled; the fence cannot be constructed before the house is built; and the variance would not carry forward if the property later converts to commercial use. The Planning Commission’s recommendation moves the case to City Council for a final decision.

The commission vote was 5 in favor and 1 opposed (Commissioner Roth opposed). The case will now be considered by City Council at a future meeting. The commission noted applicants and the public may follow the Council agenda for the final vote.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article are drawn from the meeting record and are attributed to the speakers listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Woodstock GA - Planning Commission - Jul 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Woodstock Planning Commission on a 5‑1 vote recommended that City Council approve a variance to allow a 5‑foot fence on top of an 18‑inch knee wall at 107 Rope Mill Road, despite a downtown code limiting street‑facing fences to 40 inches.","taxTitle","Woodstock City, Cherokee County, Georgia","taxId",51313,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519357,"Planning commission recommends routine zoning map update",182,5105000,5287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587&start=5105&end=5287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587/thumbnail_5105000.jpg","/articles/6519357/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-routine-zoning-map-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519357-c8dda36b0270ce199c19bab34b900a5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136853&Signature=ias4hxnD-S62SCI11IW-L0rvrF3j2tvcgud-yD6FUgaHZUEHJFJgX3XZoKWoy0GppoQv4bbYgIhdzxEbSXREgEHkhNzavtL~p~dtNEfbeaHO~Vf6rkT5lmG7jwSQhXRqGqjTjCzw5246CR8~wgbRYP4tR2fonaBBk~4GKIYUskyTrTtljwghwmRWA6CJHd687x2ddQYGv31b3vXAGTBkXl1EI9~X-ajd~t3FX-x-hMnpJCPfXH6y6zjw~645~bO42rKrmBQ~mWmVd39Rdmz~LQo5~uBPyOfW1wsbRXPm8CFjlzThu35ndLCviq~EkrQDLClg2XQtRmtOIrAjwdGADA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council adopt the semiannual zoning map update. Staff said the update reflects rezonings and annexations completed since the last map adoption and includes a rezoning (Z‑162‑24) converting roughly 2.5 acres at the corner of Main Street and Dobbs from DTRO to DTCBD. The update also incorporates parcel boundary and Cherokee County parcel data corrections.

Staff advised the commission that the update is a technical map correction and recommended approval. There was no public comment; the commission voted to recommend adoption and the item will be forwarded to City Council.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article are drawn from the meeting record and are attributed to the speakers listed below.","Commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption of a semiannual zoning map update that records recent rezonings and parcel boundary changes, including a rezoning at Main Street and Dobbs from DTRO to DTCBD.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519363,"Commission partially approves amendment to Lovejoy Lane parking‑lot coating condition",384,6516000,6900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587&start=6516&end=6900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587/thumbnail_6516000.jpg","/articles/6519363/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Commission-partially-approves-amendment-to-Lovejoy-Lane-parkinglot-coating-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519363-14793756d3b287e1a9763ecac656ddcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136853&Signature=T2xLLdTjYWvQEy~ggueHgM9Dod85RxzJAsocJV2nTYlEe2~PxLjO8vddNwDd61NjC1W4AL-yGBO~jrEQu~gF6MFt-~3HP~qeGTZvsP6W4HT1DlmMRUJb0COWOWX5bNL3YjnT51rYDhRYBcY9SzQh9u5EGHiiK8TMAaSj1ikpDdABKBK1M6fB9EGJ4WC08Ljy56dshVeh7aXOJ01mFCDrr0DUkyIBcQs5FuThNRgZeSfhujAr3FkvZqTYo~ZaP3e44sZaXQyIj24qcWq0SVWS5BSXSe1UW0vqtdVXNcnpe7oyJlyNSGlPd7FUGTSPWWWJUClMxuAglD8-Au7Rzf1dCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission voted 5‑1 to recommend City Council partially approve a condition amendment for the medical office at 604 Lovejoy Lane that revises a 2022 rezoning condition requiring a solar‑reflective “cool seal” coating of the parking‑lot surface. The partial approval recommended by staff and the Development Process Committee requires the applicant to apply the cool‑seal coating to the parking lot drive aisles rather than the entire parking surface and to complete the work by Oct. 1.

The site was annexed and rezoned in 2022 with a condition that the applicant install underground infrastructure for five EV chargers and apply a solar‑reflective coating to the parking lot surface; the rezoning also allowed a parking‑overage variance. The developer installed the underground conduit but did not install the coating prior to receiving its certificate of occupancy; staff accepted an escrow of $26,950 and required installation by a set date. The applicant later missed that deadline and applied for a condition amendment, saying the cool‑seal coating has seasonal temperature constraints and the original escrow did not specify scope or square footage.

Staff and the Development Process Committee reviewed site constraints — including a large power easement and limited options for tree canopy — and concluded drive aisles are the portions of pavement most exposed to sunlight and heat gain. The DPC unanimously recommended partial approval; commissioners adopted staff’s recommendation 5‑1. The applicant argued the full‑lot coating would be costly (staff estimated a higher figure than the escrow) and that coating drive aisles provides a targeted mitigation consistent with the original sustainability intent while limiting business disruption.

Commissioner Laney voted against partial approval. The commission’s recommendation now goes to City Council for final action; staff noted the Council packet should include the original 2022 rezoning language, the escrow documentation and the applicant’s cost estimates to support Council review.

Speakers and documents quoted or paraphrased are drawn from the meeting record and applicant correspondence on file with staff.","The commission recommended partial approval of a condition amendment for the medical office at 604 Lovejoy Lane, allowing a more limited cool‑seal coating of drive aisles rather than coating the entire lot. Decision was 5‑1; the applicant had escrowed $26,950 but later sought a narrower remedy citing weather and cost constraints.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519367,"Commission backs variance to allow separate units at two Linton Street buildings",852,5610000,6462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587&start=5610&end=6462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5360720-b9aa727a20019b0b60829fc6acf8d587/thumbnail_5610000.jpg","/articles/6519367/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Commission-backs-variance-to-allow-separate-units-at-two-Linton-Street-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519367-3c26d8876bf87f76bbf96fb4015c215a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136853&Signature=dSXtxYa7JMrE2unAiDDwTfpIT5azzk~GBp0e55H70q-Bj6lDUkZDXq-UGIoFpg~jR2EutCVQJxz~U4vgtW8od-MQ5MjHwY8ERwPEIH17zb7S4NM6ictIBpDCQ-9xd9yC7Uou-uxtp-Kmzv0QxdnEyEu2G20CeaCSb9-f9XVLYbe9olAnGV2MjlMvINK2PrajBSzr~cdawwAOswv~7TB4CpCLvxIew3YmrUfOnF1Y9Hy5x-1DSeWH0QZUf6umlf79XaqsMdW-7vf0igA-Teetg~4DZywWWcQtUmB3jxxG6lt7U5DR~UvHEaqkzXQwn822jh1ahODs8TQGgxFsmQ~mhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodstock Planning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council approve a variance permitting the two residential floors of each mixed‑use building at 64 and 68 Linton Street to be deeded as separate units rather than a single unit, provided historic overlay requirements remain in force.

Staff explained the three largely identical mixed‑use buildings along Linton Street sit in the downtown central business district within the historic overlay. The site plans were drawn so the two upper floors could function independently, but the historic overlay limited each building to a single residential unit unless a variance were granted. A similar request for 60 Linton Street was approved the prior year.

Staff and the Development Process Committee recommended approval with the same conditions used for the earlier case: allow a maximum of two residential units and require compliance with the historic overlay’s design standards. Commissioners and staff discussed parking implications: updated downtown parking code changes reduced commercial parking requirements and the development’s existing on‑site and public parking were judged adequate to meet residential needs. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval; the item will proceed to City Council for final action.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article are drawn from the meeting record and are attributed to the speakers listed below.","Planning commission unanimously recommended City Council approve a variance allowing two residential units (deeded separately) in each of two mixed‑use buildings at 64 and 68 Linton Street, matching an earlier approval for 60 Linton Street and subject to conditions requiring historic overlay compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission backs variance for historic‑style fence at 107 Rope Mill Road

Planning commission recommends routine zoning map update

Commission partially approves amendment to Lovejoy Lane parking‑lot coating condition

Commission backs variance to allow separate units at two Linton Street buildings