The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 13 deferred action on variance case v94, which would increase impervious coverage to 52 percent to accommodate a small backyard pool and associated decking, citing a neighbor’s concerns about runoff, construction access and protection of pool equipment and basement areas.

Why it matters: The request would raise impervious coverage above the county’s 40 percent standard for the lot and requires careful stormwater mitigation to prevent runoff to a lower-elevation neighbor’s yard and basement area.

Application and opposition: Homeowner David Walker said his existing lot is already over the 40 percent impervious limit (about 45 percent) and the proposed plunge pool and decking would increase it to about 52 percent. Neighbor Wendy Seiler, at the lower elevation, told the board she was concerned about “significant runoff,” unknown construction-vehicle access, the safety of a retaining wall near her pool equipment and the location of any replacement fence. Seiler said she had not received a specific construction access plan and asked that her property be protected during construction.

Stormwater response and options: Andrew Heath of Cobb County Stormwater Management said the applicant submitted a plan showing capture of runoff routed to a dry-well system. Heath advised that the outlet could be piped between the homes and discharged at the curb/street to avoid surface flow across the neighbor’s yard and reduce risk to the lower property; he said the current plan lacks that level of detail and recommended addressing outlet piping in permit-level review.

Applicant response: Walker said he is willing to run an underground pipe toward the curb line, reduce the amount of deck/paving if necessary and use matting and other best management practices during construction to protect the neighbor’s wall and equipment. Walker’s pool contractor estimated construction would take about 12 weeks with typical work hours, and the homeowner said they would use compact equipment sized to fit the side access.

Board action: Citing unresolved neighbor protections and construction-access details, a board member moved to hold the item until the next meeting so staff and the applicant could prepare a more detailed mitigation and access plan; the motion to hold carried.

Next steps: The applicant and staff will refine the stormwater/outlet piping plan and provide details on construction access and protection measures to address the neighbor’s concerns before the board considers the variance again.