[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",5974439,"mediaKeyId","5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0","parentId",5841079,"title","Board approves side-setback and driveway variances for Pretty Branch rebuild","audioSeconds",294,"startMs",1304000,"endMs",1598000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0&start=1304&end=1598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0/thumbnail_1304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974439/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Board-approves-side-setback-and-driveway-variances-for-Pretty-Branch-rebuild","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974439-92fb060e73554c35be55aaf160c8fb1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568981&Signature=nTRPKPKI53FVDhF7MpVv5Ait-Rjp5Um4bWHsNbKoPIUzxq4LVZ~OJJQuL-UXjLl376HhcqI8C6UmCbsog7V4DUl5RDm3wofVxjHQbgsGoCZ1SCmhDyEdWP3Sxb1qCrXkYugoHVr8eNUy521~9h5BZ3F2Gb52y6R5TIOdiX2Q0o6KRGdYZx-TfwKoeOHnyyoZoNPkz9gHCLV4cOrMdlhdMEt9lJPVgtVpRrQl6mB0tb2gMy4UWHU~x1BRIS~zPov5G1jWM2GH4P8ICyCUbzfATmTnMbWwRTm3tEFUHLNBRo9ilNv9aAyy3I4NFM5OWNUSazDDrbHAqPRSZ1ONZTwQAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Smyrna, Georgia Public Meeting Videos","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","On Sept. 24 the License and Variance Board approved two variances for a property at 3357 Pretty Branch Drive that will allow a rebuilt single-family house with a side-entry garage. Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, told the board the applicant, Nick Vinson, will demolish an existing house and rebuild in roughly the same location to limit land disturbance. To accommodate a side-entry garage and turning radius while keeping the existing curb cut, staff recommended reducing the northern side setback from 12 feet to 8 feet (V25‑090) and the driveway setback from 5 feet to 2 feet (V25‑091).

Crowe said the existing home, built in 1955, encroached more into the side setback than the proposed new foundation; moving the foundation slightly improves the nonconforming condition. She also cited recent, similar variances approved nearby in 2023 and 2024 as precedent. The board approved both variances with two staff conditions: substantial compliance with the submitted site plan and elevations, and replacement of any curb damaged during construction prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.

Applicant Nick Vinson confirmed he understood and accepted the conditions. There were no public comments on these items, and both motions passed unanimously.

Background: Crowe described the planned home as roughly a half-acre lot build with four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the lower floor and a small second-floor theater. The change to the driveway setback is intended to preserve the existing curb cut while allowing safe access into a side-entry garage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","License and Variance Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A homeowner rebuilding on Pretty Branch Drive received approval to reduce a northern side setback and shorten a driveway setback to permit a side-entry garage; staff said the new footprint improves an existing nonconforming condition and cited nearby precedent.","taxTitle","Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",4148,"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},5974444,"Owner cleared to expand detached garage and adjust setback at Concord Road property",277,800000,1077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0&start=800&end=1077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/5974444/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Owner-cleared-to-expand-detached-garage-and-adjust-setback-at-Concord-Road-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974444-86f256d36af62af227e1e65b3f64a309/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568981&Signature=TIFXuQoSYtBZEVnV4iPPThCaH6sXgx4vuA59rm4uEws1Qkee90N3REZ~yocCmquth~n-5O-xa83alLCWPIZ1xm0zredPpX9TjYWvjlT6ACXVrDssHg484muwl8y-MGB6WBPgLqgc~iEDFlI7zzaGRzhGg7gITGP~LlfH7rshN612Qal0SUKHGr4aOh95IaoHb~QyM4zsFDsVNgz4~KbY01aCNjEZ1N11ahIw42Eg-ulvqGdR~PIVU-gLMi4DdaHyzeFMpbacGMEe1uU2CTj2rjXwKhLoXA38SaXtRDPwAOTDMt00F2zBUCN0gqTpuAHGizJPHh~pnhOOhMec93Tx9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 24 the License and Variance Board approved two variances for a corner property at 280 Concord Road that together allow a reduced street-side setback and a larger accessory structure (detached garage). Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, said the owner, Harold Singer, proposes to extend the portion of the house closest to Haidu Drive and to relocate and enlarge the detached garage so more vehicles can be parked under cover.

Crowe said the property is a corner lot where the house and garage already contain nonconforming encroachments; aerial images confirm the nonconforming section existed at least as far back as 1952. Staff recommended approval for both V25‑088 (reduce street-side setback from 26.7 feet to 20.1 feet) and V25‑089 (increase accessory structure size from 25% to 48.2% of the primary dwelling) with the standard condition tying approval to compliance with the submitted site plan and elevations.

A neighbor, Charles Tooker, testified that past events at the property generated heavy on‑street parking that impeded traffic and posed safety concerns at the Concord Road / Highview area. Another speaker, Nigel Ingleton, said the crowding Tooker described was related to a wedding at the property and that building control told him no permit was required; he stated the event ended after police visits. \"I had all my family in from England. We had a great time. We didn't cause any problems for anybody,\" Ingleton said. The board approved both variances unanimously after the public comments.

Background and staff findings: Crowe noted that the proposed garage would be screened from the public right of way by an existing fence and foliage, reducing visual impact. The applicant said he stores a vehicle collection and wants a covered area. The board’s approval was conditioned on substantial compliance with the submitted plans.","The board approved two linked variances for 280 Concord Road: a reduction in street-side setback and a larger accessory structure to accommodate a relocated and expanded garage for vehicle storage; a neighbor raised safety concerns about on-street parking during events.",{"_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},5974448,"Board okays street-side setback reduction for Wisteria Lane corner lot",235,564000,799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0&start=564&end=799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0/thumbnail_564000.jpg","/articles/5974448/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Board-okays-street-side-setback-reduction-for-Wisteria-Lane-corner-lot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974448-70c82f4e65ab0a3c0cf01916dd45e72e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568981&Signature=IlGyeoxzPID~UMNWwH0Y79Cj9MOTiaqy8d~Fth4i6sM76z5OLpTS0JUFZNndGEBN9RuDT0mleMycXMFs4zhlqD2rwIQOfXd6sjpNazJVCbe8Mpzs3LjeOV80mJy3PPtXot0bKekJw-OjQO6n8ys5azNyeZ6sLE5S2Q7IFWXtA2x26Hei3~Ju7lA4ykpBg1PeoQ4OqD~4cFUQoLEhxNUJyvPCfwIchpChgxQuhcTxOxsLWRxl28F2cQltnEGUIHIXtCTPtIzJVxx~a77ytSzC~I7rxmZlb30eU6KZcoz2H8Y8MX7rWay7OD6YA7usxfVNrhzKmWoN3RzdI0BOaLHvTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The License and Variance Board on Sept. 24 approved a variance to reduce the street-side setback from 23.3 feet to 12.4 feet for a corner lot at 3731 Wisteria Lane so the owner may extend the house rearward in line with the existing façade. Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, said the existing home is about 1,100 square feet and the addition would bring it to roughly 1,800 square feet, moving it closer to the R‑15 minimum house size of 2,000 square feet.

Crowe told the board the house predates the 1974 adoption of the current zoning ordinance and that the street-side encroachment is an existing nonconforming condition. Because the proposed addition would be aligned with the current nonconforming footprint, staff concluded the hardship was not self-created and recommended approval with the standard condition that the approved work substantially comply with the submitted site plan and elevations.

The applicant, Jeremiah Keith, confirmed he understood and would adhere to the stipulation. After a public hearing with no speakers, the board voted unanimously to approve the variance.

Background: Crowe said the parcel is a corner lot at Wisteria Lane and Brentwood Drive and that staff viewed this location as the logical area for an addition given the existing footprint. The approval was limited to the site plan and elevations submitted with the variance application; no other variances were required according to staff.","A corner-lot homeowner on Wisteria Lane received approval to reduce the street-side setback from 23.3 feet to 12.4 feet to allow a rear-line addition; staff said the change brings the house closer to compliance with R‑15 standards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":78,"_43":102,"_45":91,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974453,"Board approves small impervious-surface increase for Teasley Drive addition",287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0&start=287&end=564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5841079-4f79ff41dcf488fbfd721bd46f8df6a0/thumbnail_287000.jpg","/articles/5974453/Smyrna/Cobb-County/Georgia/Board-approves-small-impervious-surface-increase-for-Teasley-Drive-addition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974453-45def4590c4d9ec83b8af663df3f61d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568981&Signature=nbI3WsPlowsZKanwdn2zLeqnkB5CquHNJ60VXhf7wI1Q~vS7bNDuU3EbEqRsTcdJXC33vLVAUQZ7YwirIZwVoTQKTIq4N~agwvwoAr1qFr2fu0h8rltTGv2lrgR-yGrcQSPOqUojQ~-9tZ7cjEA3eFl9pB5npbhAPZi31hiTTrOMK6KKXc17UmbRYL5AKqkphnLbpfNe9m08b5sVrr7BqKS0zIRLq5kQcPZJYulknCCDipIt~YKzCHR08of-L9EJFWpeeZl~tM-8hXJ7SCsE6CHBTfGYHBjbCav9FyW2iNIBj95dAsVSSnia1I9j8jwFP-364eA6yPGl~jBw0ylXqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The License and Variance Board on Sept. 24 approved a variance allowing a Teasley Drive homeowner to increase the maximum impervious surface on a residential lot from 35% to 37% to permit an expanded rear addition. Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, told the board the applicant would exceed the limit by about 2 percent—roughly 175 square feet—and proposed installing six 50-gallon flow wells north of the addition to mitigate runoff.

The board’s approval followed a staff recommendation that the increase is the minimum necessary and that engineering has reviewed and supports the mitigation. \"This is V25-086 to increase the maximum impervious surface area from 35% to 37%,\" Crowe said. Claire Hodges of the engineering department confirmed she had reviewed the plan and said, \"they are treating slightly over what would be required based on the impervious surface that they are over.\" The applicant, William Blunt, said he understood and agreed to the stipulations.

Why it matters: the parcel’s increase in impervious area requires measures to control stormwater runoff and a recorded maintenance agreement to protect downstream drainage and comply with city standards. Staff recommended approval with three conditions: substantial compliance with the submitted site and mitigation plans; a stormwater inspection and maintenance agreement recorded with the Cobb County Superior Court before issuance of the building permit; and submission of a stormwater as-built certification to Community Development before issuance of a certificate of completion.

Following public hearing (no public speakers), the board moved to approve the variance; the motion passed unanimously. The record shows the applicant agreed to the three staff conditions and the engineering reviewer verified the mitigation approach.

Background: Crowe said the existing house was under the R-15 minimum house size of 2,000 square feet; with the proposed addition the house will exceed 3,000 square feet and thereby comply with the minimum-for-R-15 standard. The board’s file shows staff and engineering judged the mitigation steps sufficient for the modest overage in impervious surface.","The License and Variance Board on Sept. 24 approved a variance to raise the allowed impervious surface on a Teasley Drive parcel from 35% to 37% to accommodate a home addition; staff required stormwater mitigation and recorded agreements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves side-setback and driveway variances for Pretty Branch rebuild

Owner cleared to expand detached garage and adjust setback at Concord Road property

Board okays street-side setback reduction for Wisteria Lane corner lot

Board approves small impervious-surface increase for Teasley Drive addition