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Milton BZA approves variances to keep equestrian barns at 15055 Birmingham Highway
Summary
The Milton Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a four-part variance allowing two existing barn structures to remain at 15055 Birmingham Highway with conditions including removal of a barn addition and recording a minor plat.
The Milton Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 18 approved a four-part variance for 15055 Birmingham Highway to allow two existing barn structures to remain despite not meeting current Unified Development Code setback requirements.
The variance affects three parcels the applicant owns at 15055 Birmingham Highway and reduces several UDC setback requirements (UDC §8-862) for the two barn/animal structures. The board approved the variances with two conditions: the site must conform to the variance site plan from Bechtler Greenfield Surveying LLC (received 01/10/2025) and a minor plat substantially similar to that plan must be approved by the Community Development Department and recorded with Fulton County before issuance of any community development-approved permits.
Community Development staff described the parcel configuration and zoning and said the applicant purchased the parcels in 2021 and that the barn structures predate Milton’s cityhood. The proposed minor plat will reorganize lot lines so two of the three parcels are combined and one triangular piece becomes a separate lot; the minor-plat process revealed the noncompliant barn locations. Staff described the applicant’s plan to remove a 650-square-foot addition that crosses a property line rather than seek a variance for a structure that spans parcels.
Applicant Marla Lang, identified as the property owner at 15055 Birmingham Highway, told the board she bought the parcels in 2021 for an equestrian use for her daughter and said the barns were in place when she acquired the property. “I’m just trying to be a good neighbor and make it work, preserve the community,” Marla Lang said, describing the decision to remove the barn addition so the remaining structures comply with the proposed lot lines.
Michael (Community Development Department) said staff and the Development Review Board recommended approval and noted the property is heavily screened along exterior lines. The record includes multiple neighbor support letters; staff presented a map noting eight support letters from nearby properties and a White Columns homeowners association letter of neutral position.
Motion and outcome: The motion to approve the four-part variance carried unanimously. The motion was made by Hodge Patel and seconded by Zach Stafford. The vote passed with all voting members present in favor.
The board’s approval is conditioned on the exact site plan and the recording of the minor plat with Fulton County before any community development permits are issued. The applicant indicated willingness to remove the barn addition as shown on the approved site plan.
