The East Point Planning and Zoning Commission voted to grant a parking variance for 2882 Sims Street, allowing the property owner to provide fewer off-street parking spaces than current code requires. The applicant, Tanisha Gordon, sought the variance to permit a duplex configuration on a lot she said is too small to meet the city's parking formula.

Commissioners voted to accept staff's recommendation to approve the variance. Director Smith told the commission staff recommended approval, saying the lot is smaller and that the house dates to 1925, which meets the code's variance criteria. Attorney Wiggins reminded commissioners that a variance decision by the commission is final and would not proceed to City Council if approved.

Gordon told commissioners the property is an older building with a single-family unit in front and a duplex in back and that the lot's unusual shape makes it "impossible to have six cars parked in the parking lot." She said the proposal would create two off-street parking spaces and rely on available on-street parking; she added the owner plans to seek an administrative permit to rehabilitate the home and to test for asbestos prior to renovation.

Director Smith summarized the staff report and said staff recommended approval because the application met the variance criteria, citing the lot's small size and the building's 1925 construction date. A commissioner moved to accept the staff recommendation and, after a second, the motion passed with no recorded opposing votes. The commission's vote makes the decision final and it will not go to City Council.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the parking configuration described at the hearing; Gordon said she would follow up with the required administrative permit and rehabilitation work.

Details from the hearing: the application was listed as case P2025V-002-02 and cited section 10-20-94.1 (duplexes and triplexes) of the zoning code.