Douglas County’s Jan. 6 meeting produced mixed outcomes for proposals along Veterans Memorial Highway: the board and planning staff approved at least two outdoor‑storage/small business uses and denied a proposed used‑car sales and repair rezoning that staff said would exacerbate a saturation of automotive uses.

S2026‑01: Spectrum of ATL LLC — film and set storage
Planning staff recommended and the boards approved a special‑use permit for outdoor storage at 13950 Veterans Memorial Highway to serve a film and television prop storage and light fabrication tenant. Applicant Donnie Dean said the company will screen and maintain stored items and comply with county standards. Conditions included DRC review of site and access plans, maintenance of required incompatible buffers (50 ft or an 8‑ft structural buffer with a reduced setback), and a landscaping plan meeting Quality Growth overlay standards. P&Z and the BOCC approved the permit unanimously.

Z2026‑05 / S2026‑06: proposed used‑car sales and repair at 11111 Veterans Memorial Highway — denied
Staff recommended denial of a rezoning and a special‑use permit for used‑car sales and repair at 11111 Veterans Memorial Highway. Staff cited the small lot depth and its proximity to single‑family and manufactured‑home residential uses, and said the proposal would increase the concentration of automotive uses within a one‑mile radius. Planning and Zoning and the Board of Commissioners voted to deny the rezoning and the special‑use permit (P&Z and BOCC unanimous denials). The applicant emphasized building upgrades and noise mitigation measures but staff concluded the site was not an appropriate transition to commercial use at this time.

S2026‑09: landscape supply and outdoor storage approved
An applicant seeking to operate a landscape supply business (mulch, gravel, bulk materials and equipment) at 11411 Veterans Memorial Highway presented plans to sell materials at the site and use equipment (skid steer, delivery trucks) for loading. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring a defined outdoor storage/display area, a 50‑ft undisturbed buffer where the property abuts residential zoning, DRC review for site design and access, and Quality Growth overlay landscaping. The boards approved the special use unanimously after discussion about fencing type, surveillance, site aesthetics and packaging/stocking of bulk materials.

What it means: the county is distinguishing between outdoor storage uses that can be screened and managed through DRC and an intensifying automotive cluster it views as harmful to nearby residential areas. For the approved outdoor‑storage businesses, staff will require detailed site plans, screening, landscaping and possible surveillance measures during DRC review to address aesthetics and public safety.