Board denies 108-foot breezeway variance after neighbors cite commercial activity in residential neighborhood

The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 9, 2025, denied a variance request to increase the maximum allowable length of a breezeway from 25 feet to 108 feet at a residence on Marlanta Drive. The applicant sought the variance to connect a large accessory building to the principal dwelling so the structure could shelter multiple vehicles.

Applicant representative Don Hegmeister of Totally Dependable Contracting told the board his client, Derek Boyd (not present), uses the space and had poured an oversized slab; Hegmeister said the proposed two-story garage would provide indoor space for both personal and company vehicles and materials. Neighbors Gary and Barbara Rasmussen, who live adjacent to the property, opposed the variance and showed photos in the hearing record that they said depicted heavy equipment (front loaders, backhoes), construction debris, tires and stored materials pushed toward the rear property line and the adjacent creek.

Board members heard testimony from the Rasmussens expressing concern that permitting a large, connected garage would encourage or formalize running a business from the residential lot. The neighbors said the current activity and storage on the lot were already detrimental to neighborhood character and property values. The applicant's representative acknowledged site issues but said he was working to address a number of unpermitted improvements and that some improvements had made the house more attractive.

After public testimony, a motion to deny the breezeway/garage variance carried. The chair announced: "Variance is denied." The board also urged the property owner to work with code enforcement and to clean up stored construction debris and equipment cited by neighbors.

Ending: With the denial recorded, the board moved on to remaining housekeeping items for the meeting.