Planning commission approves special use permit for apartment at 708 South Beltline Highway West

The planning commission approved a special use permit on a proposal to convert part of a commercial building at 708 South Beltline Highway West into a residential apartment, the commission announced during a public hearing.

Staff recommended the permit, saying the request ‘‘is in line with the comprehensive plan’’ and would make a previously legal nonconforming use conforming. An unidentified staff member told the commission the permit was recommended to be issued to applicant Jenna McCarter.

Speaking to the commission, McCarter said the project would convert the west side of the building into an apartment; she described the space as currently unused and said the area is about 18 to 19 feet tall. ‘‘We’re just planning on putting an apartment in the west side of our building,’’ McCarter said, and added that the owners plan to rent the unit — possibly to traveling nurses — and that short-term rentals (Airbnb-style) are only a possibility later ‘‘down the road.’’

The presiding speaker closed the public hearing and a motion to approve the special use permit was made and seconded. The transcript records the motion as approved but does not include a roll-call tally or individual vote records in the provided segments.

A participant asked whether the special use permit ‘‘carries on with the property.’’ The transcript records a response that, under state law, the change of that status could not be made, and the speakers did not record an alternate resolution in the available segments.

The commission also noted the next scheduled meeting date as Nov. 10, 2025. The record does not include details on permit conditions, timelines for issuance, or an itemized vote count in the transcript excerpts provided.