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Coweta commissioners allow log cabin and metal‑barn variances on condition of remediation, inspections and septic review
Summary
After reviewing a stop‑work order and unpermitted structures on a 30.63‑acre parcel, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners approved buffer and setback variances allowing a log cabin and related metal accessory structures to remain under conditions requiring engineering review, stormwater mitigation and Environmental Health oversight.
Coweta County commissioners approved a pair of variance requests affecting a 30.63‑acre property on Coweta Herd Road after staff described a stop‑work order issued in October 2022 and unpermitted structures on the site.
Staff said the property contained a pole building converted to a log cabin that encroaches county and state stream‑protection buffers and an adjacent metal “barn” composed of two accessory structures that also encroach on stream buffers and do not comply with required setbacks. No building or septic permits were obtained before the work. The board heard staff recommendations that allowed the structures to remain only if applicants provide building and engineering plans, inspections and certifications that show conformance with adopted building codes; if the building official determines those steps are not possible the structures must be demolished and the site stabilized.
Key conditions: Staff proposed, and the board adopted, conditions including submission of building and engineering plans and inspections for both the log cabin and the metal barn; approved stormwater‑runoff mitigation for encroachments into buffers as determined by development review staff and inspected by the county; a deed restriction or acknowledgment limiting the log cabin to guest‑house use if it remains; removal of the unpermitted septic absorption field or other measures as directed by Environmental Health; no additional encroachment into state and county stream buffers; and a requirement that the two accessory metal structures be unified into one structure unless the board approves a separate variance.
Applicant statement: Shelby Tarpley and family members addressed the board, explained the timeline (property purchased in 2017; the pole barn pre‑existed the purchase and was later enclosed), apologized for permitting errors, and said they had contracted various consultants over the past three years and sought staff assistance to resolve outstanding items. The applicants say they need temporary use of the accessory structures for storage of doors, windows and building materials already purchased for the proposed new home.
Board action and implementation: After discussion the board approved the variances subject to the staff conditions, with clarified language directing Environmental Health to determine remediation steps for the unpermitted septic system (removal, capping and stabilization or an alternative approach the agency accepts). The board also required that no plumbing or residential occupancy be approved for the log cabin unless the structure can meet building and septic permitting requirements.
Speakers (attributed): Nicole Blackwell, Zoning Associate (staff); Shelby Tarpley (applicant); Seth Lee Tarpley (property owner/family represented in hearing).
Clarifying details (from the record): parcel ~30.63 acres; pole barn converted to log cabin was built originally between about 2012–2015 (per Google Earth imagery) and the Tarpleys purchased the property in 2017; staff re‑emphasized that the primary home construction remains on hold until the variance and corrective conditions are satisfied; an on‑site unpermitted septic absorption field was identified and staff required its removal or remediation under Environmental Health direction; all buildings must be reviewed by a Georgia‑licensed engineer for code conformance prior to release of the stop‑work order for the primary residence.
Authorities cited: Coweta County Zoning & Development Ordinance (Article 21 — stream corridor protection buffers), county building codes and state plumbing/septic permitting rules.
Ending: The board’s approval permits the property owner to pursue engineering and remediation steps while preserving the applicant’s ability to use accessory structures for storage in the short term under strict permitting and environmental health conditions. Staff will not release the stop‑work order for new residential construction until the required documentation and mitigation measures are submitted and accepted.
