Council approves variance to convert existing workshop into 1,078-sq.-ft. accessory dwelling at 109 Sandy Way

The Statesboro City Council voted to grant a variance that allows conversion of an existing 1,078-square-foot workshop into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 109 Sandy Way, the city’s planning staff and applicant attorneys said Tuesday.

Miss Kirk, a planning staff member, told the council this is the city’s first ADU case under the newly adopted Unified Development Code. The existing workshop was permitted in 1997 and remains on the lot; the applicant seeks to renovate the interior for use as a short-term rental. Under the code, the accessory dwelling size limit is 749 square feet; the requested variance would permit the larger, existing structure to be used as an ADU.

Attorney Russell Jones, representing property owner Ramona Hagan, said the workshop will be renovated internally but not enlarged and that the owner intends to preserve some of the original tools and fixtures as interior character. Jones said the owner intends to limit maximum occupancy to six people and to use local contractors for the renovation.

Planning staff recommended approval with a condition that no building permit be issued that allows screening of the exterior porch (staff noted screening would otherwise affect the square-foot calculation). The planning commission previously recommended approval with modified staff conditions.

Councilors expressed support for the request and voted to approve the variance with the staff conditions. The vote was taken by voice; a roll-call tally was not specified in the meeting record.

The approval allows the owner to apply for building permits and move forward with interior renovations subject to city permitting and inspections. Staff emphasized the approval does not allow exterior enlargement of the structure and that site plan and screening limitations in the approval must be followed.