The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 9 held a variance request from Martin G. Ndungu that would change setback and impervious-surface requirements for a Millard Avenue property and asked the applicant to return with a revised plan.

The application, read by zoning staff, sought to increase the maximum allowable impervious surface from 35% to 41%, reduce a side setback from 10 feet to 5 feet, and reduce a rear setback from 35 feet to 10 feet. The applicant told the board he plans to demolish an aging house and build a new residence with a two-car garage; he said the work would use an existing concrete slab and that the house’s condition motivated replacement.

A BZA member who represents District 2 inspected the site and told the applicant the board was concerned about the proposed garage facing the street because it would alter the street’s character; the member recommended the applicant return with a plan showing the garage behind the house and with reduced impervious coverage. The board discussed mitigations such as removing portions of the large existing backyard concrete pad and working with stormwater staff on mitigation measures (dry wells, other techniques) if the applicant remains above allowed impervious limits.

The board voted to hold the case and set a deadline for revised plan submission. John Peterson, Cobb County zoning division manager, said the applicant should submit revised plans to community development by Aug. 22 for staff review; the board set the matter for the Sept. 10 hearing.

The applicant and board discussed impervious figures during the hearing. Transcript remarks include some inconsistent numeric references: the reading of the case listed a requested increase to 41% while the applicant referenced a different figure (stating the requested impervious change 'to 32' in applicant remarks). The transcript does not resolve that discrepancy; the board’s hold requires the applicant to submit a clarified, stamped site plan showing proposed impervious coverage and a revised layout prior to the Sept. 10 hearing.