Cherokee County zoning board approves industrial setback reduction, denies multiple accessory-structure variances; votes at a glance

The Cherokee County Board of Zoning Appeals on an unspecified June meeting date approved a setback reduction for a proposed light-industrial building on Ball Ground Highway and approved two homeowner requests while denying several others, including multiple requests to place accessory structures closer to property lines.

The most consequential vote granted a developer permission to reduce recorded platted setbacks at 7500 Ball Ground Highway, allowing a proposed 3.6-acre light-industrial building to move closer to the road so a larger truck court can be placed at the rear. County staff explained the adjustment would let the building avoid stream buffers and keep roll-up doors facing away from public roads. Scott Merrill, the developer and builder with Horizon Management, told the board, "We would like to have the building move forward towards Ball Ground Highway to house a better truck court," and said the design would preserve fire access around the building.

Why it matters: the approved setback change allows a larger maneuvering area for trucks and places loading doors away from the public roadway; staff said the site will remain outside the measured stream buffer and include a 10-foot landscaping strip along the road.

Other notable approvals and denials - Approved: Allow applicant to withdraw without prejudice for Case 2054020 (decision-only item). The board voted 4-0 to permit withdrawal after staff said the applicant had revised plans to move plantings out of a required buffer and to perform only hand work inside the buffer, removing the need for the…