Board recommends multiple variances for proposed Pine Road lumberyard, with screening and fence conditions

The Coweta County Board of Zoning Appeals on June 26 recommended approval of multiple variances for Coweta Pine Ventures LLC’s proposed lumber and building-materials retail and warehouse project on Pine Road. The applicant sought a set of variances tied to a triangular M-industrial parcel that abuts the CSX Railroad and lies near the US Highway 29 Quality Development Corridor.

Buffer reduction: Staff presented petition 25-008 seeking to reduce the required 100-foot undisturbed buffer along the western property line adjacent to RC-zoned railroad property to a 25-foot undisturbed planted buffer. Staff and the applicant (represented by Alex McDonald) said the lot’s triangular shape and buildable-area constraints constitute the hardship required under Article 28; McDonald and other speakers argued that a full 100-foot buffer would eliminate needed storage and constrain truck movements. The appeals board voted to approve the 25-foot buffer with the planning-department condition that a buffer plan be submitted and approved and that additional plantings and screening may be required.

Paving and millings: In petition 25-011, the applicant requested relief from Article 24 pavement standards to allow asphalt millings in lieu of heavy-duty asphalt or concrete in areas outside truck lanes, and asked flexibility on driveway width and open-storage locations relative to the 100-foot setback. Staff proposed conditions: asphalt millings in the approved areas shall be considered paved per the applicant’s hydro study; millings may be used only outside the truck lanes as shown on the site plan; the developer must coordinate with review staff on street/buffer plantings to screen milling storage; additional evergreen plantings and a 6-foot decorative fence were also proffered. Applicant representatives said millings reduce dust and visually resemble asphalt from the road.

Open storage/display screening: Petition 25-012 asked to allow partially screened open storage/display areas within the Highway 29 corridor district using landscaping and a decorative fence rather than full enclosed structures. Staff noted the site is largely not visible from Highway 29 and recommended conditions including substitution of corridor plantings for buffer plantings, additional evergreen screening along the millings area, and the proffered six-foot decorative fence. The board discussed fence materials and added a condition prohibiting wood fencing. Motions to approve each request with staff conditions were carried by the appeals board.

The board’s recommendations are advisory; the Board of Commissioners will consider any rezoning and final approvals on July 15. If the commissioners approve, the developer must comply with the conditions proffered by staff and with county site-review and permitting requirements before construction begins.