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Council grants variance for second curb cut at 138 Park Circle to serve accessory dwelling unit
Summary
Woodstock council approved a variance allowing a second curb cut at 138 Park Circle to provide a separate driveway for an accessory dwelling unit. Staff and the planning commission cited a rear power easement and lot configuration as creating a practical hardship.
The Woodstock mayor and council voted 6-0 May 19 to approve a variance allowing a second curb cut on Park Circle so a separate driveway can serve a new accessory dwelling unit at 138 Park Circle.
Planning staff described the lot as shallow and heavily constrained by a Georgia Power transmission easement at the rear, which limits placement options for the ADU. The downtown zoning code allows a maximum of one driveway curb cut per block face; staff said enforcing that strict limit would effectively prevent a reasonably sited ADU on this lot without a lot split that would be infeasible given density rules and tax consequences.
Mr. Dunn presented the staff analysis and said the Development Process Committee voted 5-1 to recommend approval with conditions intended to reduce potential conflicts with neighboring driveways. At the council meeting the applicant, Ryan Morley Stockton, said he had explored alternatives including extending the existing driveway and parallel parking and concluded the second curb cut was the least intrusive option.
Council members observed the lot-specific hardship and noted multiple nearby parcels in the subdivision with multiple curb cuts; they recommended this decision not be read as an open precedent for unconstrained approvals. The motion to approve carried 6-0.
Ending: Council approved the variance with staff-recommended conditions; staff will inspect final construction for compliance with conditions.
