The Smyrna License and Variance Board on June 12, 2024 approved a package of setback and accessory‑structure variances affecting several single‑family homes and a commercial remodel, and tabled a liquor‑license agent change request for lack of the named agent.

Planner Caitlin Crowe told the board staff recommended approval of multiple residential front‑setback variances filed by John Bradford for properties on Pinedale Drive and Dell Avenue, saying, “After reviewing this application, staff does support the request and recommends your approval with the standard stipulation.” The board approved V24‑037 (1020 Pinedale Drive), V24‑038 (1036 Dell Avenue) — with an added stipulation that the property be replatted to show a sanitary sewer easement — and V24‑039 (1121 Dell Avenue). Bradford confirmed he understood the stipulations.

The board also approved four variances for a property at 3282 Pine Tree Drive, listed in the record as applications by Stephen (appears in the record as “Stephen/Steven”) Douglas: V24‑040 to allow a second accessory structure; V24‑041 to increase accessory building size from 25% to roughly 48.5% of the primary dwelling; V24‑042 to raise accessory‑structure height from 15 feet to 21.1 feet; and V24‑043 to reduce the northern side setback from 12 feet to 9.8 feet. Crowe said staff considered the new building a consolidation of multiple prior elements and recommended approval with standard conditions, including that the accessory structure may not contain an oven or stove without a separate variance and may not be rented for gain beyond what Article 9 of Chapter 22 permits for short‑term rentals.

A commercial set of variances at 5120 South Cobb Drive for an existing Chick‑fil‑A (applicant listed as Danielle Sheridan) were also approved. Crowe described a proposed two‑lane drive‑through designed to improve stacking and reduce cars spilling onto South Cobb Drive. Krishna Desai, the engineer representing the applicant, said construction timing was uncertain but that ADA requirements would still be met: “No. We still meet ADA code.” The board approved V24‑045 (reduce southern side setback from 20 ft to 17 ft), V24‑046 (reduce required parking spaces from 28 to 23 to make room for the second drive‑through lane), and V24‑047 (allow an additional accessory canopy structure over a drive‑through lane).

The board returned to an earlier Item A — a privileged license and agent change request for a beer/wine and Sunday‑sales retail package at 475 Windy Hill Road SE naming Satish Chiarelli (the transcript also refers to variants of that surname) as agent. A store manager attended to represent the business but the board required that the named agent be present or officially listed on the application; members voted to table the request until correct agent documentation is provided.

Votes at a glance
• V24‑037 — 1020 Pinedale Drive (John Bradford) — approved
• V24‑038 — 1036 Dell Avenue (John Bradford) — approved (added stipulation: replat to show sanitary sewer easement)
• V24‑039 — 1121 Dell Avenue (John Bradford) — approved
• V24‑040 — 3282 Pine Tree Drive (Stephen/Steven Douglas) — allow second accessory structure — approved
• V24‑041 — 3282 Pine Tree Drive — increase accessory size to ~48.5% — approved
• V24‑042 — 3282 Pine Tree Drive — increase accessory height to 21.1 ft — approved
• V24‑043 — 3282 Pine Tree Drive — reduce north side setback to 9.8 ft — approved
• V24‑044 — 5120 South Cobb Drive (Danielle Sheridan) — rear setback reduction — withdrawn at staff request
• V24‑045 — 5120 South Cobb Drive (Chick‑fil‑A / Danielle Sheridan) — reduce southern setback to 17 ft — approved
• V24‑046 — 5120 South Cobb Drive — reduce parking from 28 to 23 spaces — approved
• V24‑047 — 5120 South Cobb Drive — allow additional accessory canopy — approved
• License/agent change (475 Windy Hill Road SE; Windy Hill Smyrna LLC naming Satish as agent) — tabled (agent not present or not listed on application)

What it means and next steps
Board members said staff will follow up on stipulations and that required plats, permits and any further variances must be recorded before certificates of completion or construction permits proceed. The board approved the May 22, 2024 meeting minutes and adjourned.

Reporting notes: The meeting transcript contains inconsistent spellings for several participant names (for example Crow/Crowe and multiple variants of Satish’s surname, and Stephen/Steven/Noel Douglas in related remarks). The article uses the names as they appear in the record and notes where the record is inconsistent rather than assigning identities beyond what the transcript supplies. The transcript did not include roll‑call vote tallies; minutes record only that motions passed.