Lilburn council approves special-use permit for luxury auto-repair shop at 406 Pleasant Hill Road

The Lilburn City Council voted to approve a special-use permit allowing an auto and truck service center at 406 Pleasant Hill Road, clearing the way for a high-end repair facility that will specialize in European automobiles.

City planner Reed Turner told the council the site has been commercially zoned since its 2011 annexation (Resolution 407-11) and has been vacant since the prior business license for Mavis Tire was terminated in September 2023. Staff recommended approval with conditions to limit impacts and ensure the property meets the US 29 overlay standards.

"We are recommending approval with conditions," Turner said, listing requirements intended to limit visibility and activity at the site.

Attorney Joe Wilburn, representing the applicant Mustangs LLC, said the company plans to reuse the existing 1988 building with minimal exterior changes, clean up and landscape the property, and comply with the conditions. "We will be restoring that and ensuring that that ceases," Wilburn said, referring to foot-traffic damage to the rear vegetative buffer he said was caused by apartment residents cutting through to the high school.

The council’s list of conditions includes requiring valid current license plates and screening of cars from the right of way; prohibiting body or paint work and outdoor washing of parts or vehicles; banning heavy-equipment servicing, outdoor storage and used auto-parts sales; restricting service to enclosed bays; requiring two rows of landscaping along Pleasant Hill Road for screening; and restriping the parking lot before issuance of an occupational tax certificate. Staff also required that the parcel be brought into compliance with US 29 overlay landscaping and property maintenance standards within 120 days of approval.

Council member von Manen opposed the permit on buffer grounds, saying the city's buffer standards were insufficient compared with county guidance. "One of my biggest priorities is quality of life," von Manen said, urging a larger buffer and stating she would "be voting to deny based on the fact that it's only a 20 foot buffer rather than 40." The mayor called the roll and announced the permit passed; the mayor recorded von Manen as opposing the measure.

The special-use permit was approved with the staff-recommended conditions in place. The applicant agreed on the record to work with staff on the landscaping plan and to meet the imposed deadlines.