Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals approves multiple variances, denies/postpones one; hotel sign and industrial fence get conditional approvals

Augusta City’s Board of Zoning Appeals on May 20, 2025, considered seven petitions covering setbacks, accessory buildings, fences and signage and voted to allow most with conditions, withdraw one after an administrative permit was issued and postpone one request for more information.

The board opened the meeting by accepting a withdrawal in BZA 2,501, a petition by Atlanta Gas Light Company, after staff said the company had received administrative permit approval and no variance was required. The board then considered petitions from homeowners, developers and public agencies seeking variances from the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for setback and size limits, and for alterations to standard fence and sign heights and locations.

Why it matters: The approvals clear the way for several projects around the city — private accessory garages in residential neighborhoods, a security fence and gates at Augusta Corporate Park, a freestanding hotel sign closer to the road than normally allowed and townhomes on Laney Walker lots — while attaching conditions intended to limit visual, safety and floodplain impacts.

Most significant actions and explanations

- Withdrawal: BZA 2,501, Atlanta Gas Light Company — withdrawn without prejudice after staff said the permit had been administratively approved. No variance vote was required.

- Accessory building variances approved with conditions: Two homeowners in Pepper Ridge (3619 Bremen/Brighaman Drive, BZA 2,508) and Meadowbrook (3615 Melbourne Drive, BZA 2,509) received approval to exceed accessory-structure area limits and, in one case, reduced side/rear setbacks. Staff recommended denial on both applications because the requests did not meet the ordinance’s variance criteria, but the board approved each petition after applicants agreed to staff conditions that the buildings not contain sleeping or cooking facilities and not have separate electrical service. Applicants said the structures are intended for vehicle and equipment storage and that they had adjusted sizes after staff review.

- Industrial park fence and gates: BZA 2,513, filed by Thomas & Hutton for the Development Authority of Augusta, sought to raise the permitted front-yard chain-link fence height from 6 feet to 8 feet and add barbed-wire atop the fence at a site in Augusta Corporate Park (430 Valencia Way). Staff recommended denial but offered a conditional approval path; the board approved the variance with the condition that the barbed-wire topper not exceed 10 inches in height above the 8-foot fence. The applicant said the taller fence is to protect a multi-million-dollar investment and match other park facilities.

- Hotel sign setback: BZA 2,514, a request by Signal Signs of Georgia on behalf of Grovetown Hotel Group LLC (2853 Washington Road) to place a freestanding sign 7.5 feet from the public right of way where 10 feet is normally required, was approved with the condition that the sign be placed as shown on the submitted site plan.

- Residential privacy fence postponed: BZA 2,515 (2917 Bransford Road), an applicant seeking an 8-foot wood privacy fence in a neighborhood outside the Somerville Historic District, asked to postpone after staff told the board the fence design must comply with the flood prevention ordinance and the applicant said he wanted time to review those technical requirements. The board voted to postpone to the next meeting.

- Laney Walker townhomes rear-setback variance approved: BZA 2,516, filed by Augusta Housing & Community Development for the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority, requested a reduction of the rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 15 feet for six reconfigured parcels along Twelfth Street to allow construction of nine single-family attached townhomes. Staff recommended denial on the grounds the request did not meet variance criteria, but the board approved the variance with conditions that front and side setbacks shown on the concept plan must be adhered to or additional variances will be required.

Votes at a glance

- BZA 2,501 (Atlanta Gas Light Co.) — Withdrawal without prejudice (administrative permit received). Motion: withdraw; outcome: withdrawn; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,508 (3619 Bremen Drive, applicant Janine Krakowski) — Approved with conditions limiting accessory use (no sleeping/cooking, no separate electrical service) and allowing reduced side/rear setbacks and increased accessory area as stated by staff. Motion: approve with staff conditions; outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,509 (3615 Melbourne Drive, applicant Cheryl Lovett) — Approved with the staff conditions described above to allow a 744 sq. ft. accessory building; applicant reduced initial request before the meeting. Motion: approve with staff conditions; outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,513 (430 Valencia Way, Development Authority) — Approved with condition that barbed-wire topper not exceed 10 inches above the 8-foot fence. Motion: approve with staff condition; outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,514 (2853 Washington Road, Grovetown Hotel Group LLC) — Approved with condition that the freestanding sign be placed no less than 7.5 feet from the Sherwood Drive right-of-way per the submitted plan. Motion: approve with staff condition; outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,515 (2917 Bransford Road, D. White McLeod) — Postponed at applicant’s request to allow review of flood prevention ordinance compliance for the proposed 8-foot fence. Motion: postpone; outcome: postponed; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

- BZA 2,516 (Twelfth Street townhomes, Augusta Housing & Community Development/Land Bank Authority) — Approved with condition that front and side setbacks shown on the concept plan must be met or additional variances will be required. Motion: approve with staff conditions; outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified in the transcript.

What officials said (selected quotes)

- Ashley Catterton, development services administrator (staff): “Planning and development staff recommends denial of the variance request as it does not meet the criteria... Should the board approve the applicant’s request, staff recommends the following conditions...” (staff presentation language used across multiple items).

- William Eubank, representative for the Development Authority: “There’s a $184,000,000 out there right now, and they just want some added security to protect that.”

Process notes and next steps

Applicants approved with conditions will receive written confirmation by mail, staff said. The postponed fence item will return to the board after the applicant reviews flood prevention requirements and submits required design details.