The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 13 held variance case v99, in which Andy and Mashonda Ruffin requested a reduction of setback requirements to permit construction of a 25-by-50-foot accessory structure for RV storage near the rear of their 2.67-acre lot. The board asked the applicants to return in 30 days with a clarified site plan, a driveway access plan and confirmed public posting.

Why it matters: The proposed accessory structure and the hardened surfaces (concrete slab plus reclaimed-asphalt drive area) create potential stormwater and drainage implications; county stormwater staff estimated the site could exceed the 5,000-square-foot threshold for additional stormwater requirements based on reclaimed-asphalt and driveway areas. Driveway access and road safety also required review by the Department of Transportation.

Applicant presentation and hardship claim: Andy Ruffin said the family has an RV and that pine trees have damaged the RV repeatedly; they are seeking a 25-by-50 garage to protect the vehicle. He said a concrete slab already exists where the RV has been parked and that the cost to clear trees and build further to the right side of the lot was economically infeasible. He said they planned a reclaimed-asphalt approach (millings) to harden the circulation surface.

Staff and DOT comments: Cobb County Stormwater Management staff reviewed aerial and photo evidence and estimated the reclaimed asphalt and driveway areas plus the proposed structure could total roughly 5,735 square feet of impervious area; stormwater staff advised that trimming or reshaping the reclaimed-asphalt apron could reduce impervious area below the 5,000-square-foot threshold and thus avoid more stringent stormwater requirements. Wilson Collins of the Department of Transportation explained that any new or reconfigured driveway would require a driveway permit and that the driveway surface should be a treated (hardened) surface; millings can be acceptable if properly treated and permitted.

Public-notice and site-plan clarifications: Staff noted the sign posting for public notice had been placed but was damaged by weather; staff asked to see photographs of the posted sign. The board also asked for an accurate, scaled site plan showing the exact proposed building footprint and driveway configuration so members can verify proximity to the rear subdivision and the berm and drainage features behind the property.

Board action: The board voted to hold the case for 30 days to allow the applicants to file clarified plans, coordinate with DOT on driveway details, confirm the public notice posting and consider reshaping the reclaimed-asphalt apron to reduce impervious totals. A commissioner recused himself from the hearing due to a personal relationship with the applicants; the recusal was noted on the record.

Next steps: Applicants to provide a scaled site plan showing the building footprint and driveway, provide photographs of public notice posting, coordinate with DOT on driveway permit requirements and, if needed, reduce the reclaimed-asphalt apron to keep new impervious below the stormwater threshold.