Mayor and Council approve rezoning for seven-home development on Bell Drive

Smyrna — The Smyrna Mayor and Council on Monday approved rezoning two parcels at 2731 and 2743 Bell Drive to allow the demolition of two existing homes and construction of seven new single-family detached homes.

The action came after a presentation from Rusty Martin, community development director, and comments from Kevin Moore, attorney for applicant EIB Properties, LLC. "This application is for 7 detached homes, in this, property that's just over an acre," Moore said, describing the project as infill development consistent with nearby townhome communities.

The proposal rezoned the sites from R-15 to RMC-8 (conditional) at a density of seven units per acre. Martin told the council the planning and zoning board had recommended approval on April 14 by a 4-0 vote and staff supported the rezoning with conditions. Conditions include facade material standards, an HOA to maintain the stormwater detention facility, utilities placed underground, decorative street lights, compliance with the city's tree ordinance and a required tree plan prepared by a registered landscape architect.

The developer requested a series of variances tied to the conditional zoning: minimum lot size reduction from 12,000 to 5,000 square feet, lot width reduction from 100 to 50 feet, front setback from 50 to 15 feet, side setbacks from 10 to 5 feet, rear setback from 30 to 25 feet and an increase in maximum lot coverage from 35% to 45% per lot. Martin said the site plan shows three homes facing Bell Drive and four facing Woodland Terrace with a five-foot sidewalk and two-foot grass strip along each street and a detention facility in the southwest corner that would connect to the city's stormwater system.

Kevin Moore said the developer prefers detached homes rather than additional townhomes to "finish this off very nicely" and avoid multiple new driveways onto Bell Drive and Woodland Terrace. He told council the expected price points would be in the low to mid-$500,000s.

Councilmember Lindley made a motion "do pass as presented," seconded by Councilmember Welch; the measure passed by voice vote 6-0. Lindley noted the site is part of a broader pattern of redevelopment in the area and said the project continues that effort.

The council tied approval to the site plan and elevations submitted with the application and to the 20 specific conditions listed in the staff report, including a 22-foot minimum driveway length, right-of-way dedication on Woodland Terrace to bring it up to the city's 50-foot standard, and screening for the retention pond.

The rezoning does not change the future land-use designation for the area, which is listed as Regional Activity Center. The planning and zoning board record and staff report remain the official sources for the list of conditions and variances attached to the approval.

Council members said they had no public speakers on the item during the hearing and that Councilmember Pickens, who represents the ward, was absent due to business travel but had conferred with Lindley before the vote.