The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 9 held a variance request from property owner Hans Michael for a home at Pindells Pass that would move the build line forward and allow exposed retaining walls exceeding the 6-foot maximum.

Architect Paulo Garcia told the board the lot’s steep topography requires the house move toward the street to reduce retaining-wall heights and to provide livable space. The application asked to reduce the front setback from 45 feet to 20 feet and to allow exposed retaining walls to exceed 6 feet in height; Garcia said existing exposed walls at the site reach about 40 feet and that the proposed design will use terracing to reduce exposed heights to around 20 feet per terrace, though still above the 6-foot limit.

A board member requested visuals and preliminary civil/ stormwater plans. Garcia said a civil engineer and structural engineer are preparing plans and committed to submit progress plans within two weeks. John Peterson, zoning division manager, confirmed that staff could review submittals in two weeks and that the matter could be held for the August meeting if the materials are provided.

The board voted to hold the case and instructed the applicant to submit visuals and civil stormwater information to address runoff and the terraced-wall design. If the board later approves a variance, any authorization would be structured to reflect terraced walls and applicable stormwater conditions, the chair indicated.