Villa Rica planning panel approves landscaping variances for proposed car dealership at 615 Industrial Boulevard

The Villa Rica Planning Commission approved three variances to the city’s landscaping standards for a proposed car dealership at 615 Industrial Boulevard, finding site topography and the intended use as vehicle inventory provided justification for reduced landscape strips and interior planting.

Bridal Carter, interim community development director, presented the application and said the property has an existing building and a retaining wall along the northern edge. Carter recommended adjustments from the ordinance: a frontage landscape strip reduced from 20 feet to 10 feet and a reduction along the northern retaining‑wall edge from 10 feet to 5 feet, and approval of reduced interior landscaping for parking area inventory. She said staff’s recommendation considered that vehicles proposed for sale would be parked as inventory and not produce significant through traffic in the parking rows.

A commissioner raised a public‑safety concern about pedestrians who sometimes walk in the landscaping strip along Industrial Boulevard; Carter replied that a sidewalk requirement for new development would be met and that the landscaped strip begins behind the sidewalk. Applicant representatives said much of the site sits 20–25 feet above the road and that there is an existing retention pond outside the property line; Tom Womble of Caliber 1 Construction said the development team could plant additional trees on the back side of the lot if needed.

A resident, Joshua Evans, spoke in favor, urging approval so the vacant property could be improved. After discussion and a public comment period, a motion to approve the three variances was seconded and carried with all members voting in favor.

Staff noted that five‑foot sidewalks are required when the developer submits construction plans and that accepted variances will be reflected in the development plan review process.