Smyrna license and variance board approves five variances, tables four requests to March 26

The City of Smyrna License and Variance Board on March 12 approved five variances for single‑family properties and voted to table four other requests to the board’s March 26 meeting.

The actions — taken during a regular meeting led by Richard Garland, community services administrator — covered requests to allow new construction on a substandard lot, reduce setback requirements, and increase allowable impervious surface area. Staff recommendations, applicants’ acknowledgements of conditions and the board’s votes are recorded in the meeting minutes.

Staff explained each item before the board. Planner Caitlin Crow told the board that PLR Properties sought a variance to allow new construction on a lot of record below the R‑15 minimum at 1068 McLendon Avenue (Land Lot 486); staff supported approval with three conditions, including submission of an as‑built survey prior to foundation pour and preservation of an existing chain‑link fence unless another variance is obtained. Pam Tatum, representing PLR Properties, told the board the applicant would comply with the conditions. The board approved the variance (V25‑013) by unanimous vote.

The board heard two variance requests from Adam Hoffman for a property at 756 Park Manor Drive (Land Lot 382). One request reduced the rear setback from 30 feet to 23.1 feet (V25‑020); the other increased the maximum impervious surface allowed from 45% to 56.7% (V25‑021). Crow said the property was already over the impervious limit primarily because of artificial turf and landscape rock installed without permits; the proposed work would remove some of those surfaces and add a larger covered deck (548 sq ft, replacing an existing 220 sq ft deck). Community Development and the city engineer reviewed the plans, and staff recommended approval of both variances with a standard condition of substantial compliance with submitted plans. Both variances were approved unanimously.

Mark McAfee’s request to reduce the street side setback from 10 feet to 6.3 feet at 3050 Nichols Street (V25‑025, Land Lot 486) was approved with three conditions. Crow explained the lot has effectively three frontages and that the rezoning-recorded right‑of‑way donation influenced the measured setback; the board also included a condition that an attached bonus suite not be rented or occupied for gain except as allowed under Chapter 22 (short‑term rental rules). McAfee confirmed he understood and agreed to the conditions. The motion passed unanimously.

Andrew Norman received approval for a variance to reduce the side setback from 12 feet to 6.9 feet at 3477 Shawnee Trail (V25‑026, Land Lot 627). Crow said the existing two‑story deck that encroaches on the setback dates to the original build and that the proposed replacement would expand the deck by about 30 square feet; staff recommended approval conditioned on substantial compliance with the submitted site plan. The board approved the variance unanimously.

Earlier in the meeting the board tabled four items, all at the request of applicants or staff, to the March 26 meeting: a variance for new construction on a substandard lot at 1000 Dell Avenue (B25‑027, Land Lot 452) by PLR Properties; a parking reduction request at 2468 Spring Road (V25‑028, Land Lot 810); a request to eliminate a sidewalk requirement at 2468 Spring Road (V25‑029, Land Lot 810); and a request to reduce a side setback for a dumpster at 2468 Spring Road (B25‑030, Land Lot 810). Each tabling motion carried.

No members of the public spoke for or against the items that were approved. The board also approved the minutes from its Feb. 26 meeting unanimously before adjourning.

Votes at a glance

- V25‑013 (PLR Properties) — Allow new construction on a lot of record below R‑15 minimum at 1068 McLendon Ave, Land Lot 486; approved unanimously (3–0); staff conditions: substantial compliance with site plan/elevations, as‑built survey prior to foundation pour, chain‑link fence cannot be replaced without additional variance.

- V25‑020 (Adam Hoffman) — Reduce rear setback from 30 ft to 23.1 ft at 756 Park Manor Dr, Land Lot 382; approved unanimously (3–0); condition: substantial compliance with submitted site plan.

- V25‑021 (Adam Hoffman) — Increase maximum impervious coverage from 45% to 56.7% at 756 Park Manor Dr, Land Lot 382; approved unanimously (3–0); condition: substantial compliance with submitted site plan.

- V25‑025 (Mark McAfee) — Reduce street‑side setback from 10 ft to 6.3 ft at 3050 Nichols St, Land Lot 486; approved unanimously (3–0); conditions: substantial compliance with site plan/elevations; bonus suite not to be rented or occupied for gain except as permitted by Chapter 22; conditions to run with the property.

- V25‑026 (Andrew Norman) — Reduce side setback from 12 ft to 6.9 ft at 3477 Shawnee Trail, Land Lot 627; approved unanimously (3–0); condition: substantial compliance with submitted site plan.

- Tabling motions to March 26 (carried unanimously 3–0): B25‑027 (1000 Dell Ave, PLR Properties), V25‑028 (2468 Spring Rd parking reduction), V25‑029 (2468 Spring Rd sidewalk elimination), B25‑030 (2468 Spring Rd dumpster setback).

What the board said — and did not

Staff recommended approval with conditions on items where the city had reviewed plans and, in several cases, confirmed no additional stormwater mitigation was required. Applicants who spoke confirmed they understood and agreed to staff conditions. No formal opposition was recorded in the meeting transcript for the approved variances.

Looking ahead

The board is scheduled to reconvene on March 26, when the tabled items will be returned for consideration.