Planning commission approves Dairy Queen variances for Tri County Crossing site

The Spalding County Planning Commission on a unanimous vote approved a variance for a proposed Dairy Queen on Beaujames Street to deviate from several Tri County Crossing overlay design rules, including street-front setback, facade materials and limited parking between the building and the road. Bruce Ballard, chair pro tem, opened the item as application 2526B and asked staff for an introductory report. David Allen, community development staff, told commissioners the applicant faces the same constraint previously seen with a Zaxby’s proposal: national franchise templates limit site layout and building materials. "They cannot comply with certain facade materials and the street-front building line," Allen said, noting the restaurant’s standard plan places some parking in front of the building and includes a drive‑through circulation that conflicts with overlay expectations. The commission opened a public hearing; no members of the public had signed up to speak. Commissioners asked if the applicant had provided parking counts and staff said the information was supplied prior to the hearing. After discussion about whether parking could be shifted deeper into the lot and whether Tri County Crossing standards are harder to apply to single parcels, Commissioner Bryant moved to approve "with staff conditions." The motion passed unanimously. The commission then reviewed the site development plan for the same parcel under the Tri County Crossing Overlay district (no separate public hearing required) and approved the site plan by motion. Staff noted required items will be handled through the site plan review process, including facade details and any pavement/curb adjustments required to meet conditions. Action items and staff conditions will be documented in the development review file and enforced during permitting and plan review.