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Alpharetta panel approves setback variance for new Georgia Skyline Bank at Mansell and Old Roswell
Summary
A city hearing approved a variance to reduce front setbacks to allow redevelopment of a gas station into a two‑story 5,760 sq ft Georgia Skyline Bank with a drive‑through; staff recommended the change and attached seven conditions, including landscaping and painting a retaining wall in the public right‑of‑way.
Alpharetta planning staff and a majority of the hearing panel approved a variance allowing Georgia Skyline Bank to build a two‑story, roughly 5,760‑square‑foot bank with a drive‑through at 1190 Old Roswell Road by reducing front building setbacks along Mansell Road and Old Roswell Road.
The variance reduces the Mansell Road front setback from 65 feet to 32.5 feet and the Old Roswell Road front setback from 65 feet to 62 feet, according to the staff presentation. The property is a roughly 0.84‑acre, light‑industrial parcel now developed as a 10‑pump gas station with a 2,600‑square‑foot convenience store and car wash.
Staff told the panel the bank use is permitted on the parcel and that the applicant could redevelop under a code‑compliant plan without a variance, but staff preferred the applicant’s alternate plan because it places most parking behind the building, reduces the visible expanse of asphalt facing the streets, and improves the site’s aesthetics. “We believe staff does support this site layout. We think that it would improve the appearance of the property from Mansell and Old Roswell Street,” the staff presenter said.
Ryan Floyd, who identified himself as the proposed president and CEO of Georgia Skyline Bank, said the bank will serve small businesses and that the site will be the bank’s world headquarters. “People over 60 or 65 . . . still like to come to the bank. They want to sit down in front of somebody and talk to someone face to face,” Floyd said, describing why the proposed building and parking plan include room for customers.
Staff recommended approval subject to seven conditions that tie the approval to the submitted site plan (Carter Harkle Road Group, revised 05/13/2025), require Design Review Board approval of final building details, foundation plantings, decorative bioretention plantings, enhanced landscape strips to screen the drive‑through, and painting the existing retaining wall to blend with its surroundings. Staff also said the applicant submitted a citizen participation plan and reported no public comments.
Board members asked about parking demand, whether previously granted variances for the gas station would carry forward, and whether the retaining wall in the right‑of‑way was the city’s responsibility. Staff clarified that variances granted for the gas station were specific to that use and do not carry forward when the property is redeveloped, and that the retaining wall is currently in the city right‑of‑way. A board member suggested the LDP (land disturbance permit) process or an additional condition could address cut‑through traffic or speed mitigation near the site.
After public testimony, the panel moved to approve the variance with the seven staff conditions. The motion passed; the transcript records the vote as passed with no opposition.
The approval authorizes the setback reductions only as tied to the illustrated plan and the conditions listed by staff; any further changes (for example, different building orientation or removal of required screening) would require additional review.
