Cobb County BZA approves bulk of February consent agenda; two variances continued

The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 12 approved the majority of its consent agenda after staff read a list of routine variance requests and no opposition was recorded for most items.

The consent agenda included multiple single-property variance requests ranging from increased impervious surface allowances to reduced setbacks. Board zoning division manager Mr. Peterson read each case into the record and asked applicants and opponents to identify themselves as their cases were called. Two cases — variance V28 (Vicki Bham) and V15 (Heath Lawson) — were continued at staff request to give applicants time to address stormwater and a missed variance respectively.

Why it matters: The board uses a consent agenda to expedite cases that staff and reviewing departments have vetted and for which no opposition has been registered. Continuing cases for additional review preserves public notice and allows staff to resolve outstanding technical concerns.

Most consent cases were approved at once after a brief roll-call vote. The consent list read into the record included (case number — brief request — staff recommendation): V150 (Kofi Dogby — buffer averaging and increased impervious coverage to 57.98% — staff recommended approval subject to final buffer averaging plan approval), V16 (Bonnie Colsar — multiple accessory-structure setbacks and pool equipment setbacks — staff recommended approval subject to stormwater comments), V18 (David Gregory Peterson — accessory garage and in-ground pool — staff recommended approval with conditions limiting commercial or dwelling use), V19 (Nicholas and Jordan Smith — pool/impervious/setback adjustments — staff recommended approval subject to stormwater), V20 (Alexander Yavmerov — reduced front and accessory setbacks; non-hardened parking — staff recommended approval with conditions), V21 (Don Hegmeister — rear setback reduction — staff recommended approval), V22 (Ashley Dover — pool equipment side placement — staff recommended approval), V23 (Markham Paykoff — rear setback reduction — staff recommended approval), V24 (Perrin Properties Inc. — impervious from 80% to 82.53% existing — staff recommended approval subject to stormwater), V26 (Teresa and Andre Mitz — multiple accessory and setback items; staff recommended approval subject to conditions), V27 (World Finance — increased wall sign area to 82 sq ft — staff recommended approval), V29 (Robert and Tamara Zubik — side setback reduction — staff recommended approval) and others listed on the printed agenda. Staff recommended approval for each of these consent items unless otherwise noted.

A board member proposed a single amendment to the consent agenda tied to V26 (Teresa and Andre Mitz). The amendment requires the applicant to maintain existing tree buffers on the east and north property lines and, if trees are disturbed by construction activity, to replace them. That amendment was added before the roll call. After the amendment was included, the board voted to approve the consent items as amended.

Two items were removed from consent and handled in regular order: V30 (Mission Builders LLC) was pulled when one person registered opposition; the case later returned to the board and was approved with staff conditions. V28 and V15 were continued to the next hearing at staff request for stormwater and an additional variance to be addressed.

Votes at a glance: - Continue V28 (Vicki Bham) — motion to continue approved (staff requested continuation to address stormwater). - Continue V15 (Heath Lawson) — motion to continue approved (applicant to request missing variance). - Consent items (multiple cases listed above) — approved as amended (amendment added for V26 tree buffer preservation). - V30 (Mission Builders LLC) — pulled from consent for opposition; later approved with staff comments and stipulations.

The board moved on to the regular case agenda after the consent vote.