Board lets developer drop glass‑window requirement in favor of mural; condition subject to community‑development approval

The Brookhaven Board of Appeals unanimously agreed to remove a transparency requirement from a 2022 variance for a self‑storage project at 2719 Buford Highway and replaced it with a condition requiring an artistic mural on the northeastern panel, to be installed after commencement of a planned adjacent flyover or bridge construction and subject to approval by the director of community development.

Applicant counsel said the building was permitted, inspected and issued a certificate of occupancy consistent with the plans and that the facades were constructed with standard spandrel panels, which are industry components that can be opaque or translucent. The counsel argued that retrofitting transparent windows would be costly, intrusive and would open views of customers' personal storage items.

City staff explained the original condition tied glazed/transparent elements to open‑space design objectives and offered alternatives — including murals — to achieve the same visual objective. The board discussed options including faux windows, translucent panels, and public‑art solutions and directed staff to ensure the mural condition is subject to the Community Development director’s approval.

Board members said the change reflects an updated code avenue that allows murals in lieu of glazed elements and acknowledged the applicant’s economic investment in renovating a previously blighted site. The new condition requires the mural be installed within 120 days of written notice from the city once the specified adjacent construction commences.