Buford Commission approves auto-service and storage permits, denies vape/tobacco shop

The Buford City Commission unanimously approved multiple special‑use permits on Dec. 2 that will allow a quick‑service oil change with drive‑thru bays, an automobile tuning shop and three boat/RV storage facilities, while denying a proposed tobacco and vape retail shop.

Justin Ashby sought Special Use Permit #SUP‑24‑25 for 4972 Lanier Islands Parkway to operate a quick‑service oil change with drive‑thru roll‑up doors. Mitch Peevy, speaking for the applicant, presented the request; the commission approved relief from portions of the Buford Code (including Section 1316.A.5 to permit a flat roof for a building under 5,000 sq. ft. and Section 1316.3.C to allow parking in front/side yards) and imposed site conditions. Conditions include orienting roll‑up doors away from Lanier Islands Parkway, allowing the front setback to be reduced up to 18 feet, limiting parking to seven spaces, and requiring final architectural plans and landscapingelements (a 10‑foot and a 5‑foot landscape strip that may not contain parking, signs or service boards) to be approved by the Planning Director.

The commission also approved Special Use Permit #SUP‑24‑26 for an auto repair/tuning facility at 1545 Buford Highway. The approval is limited to the current owner, prohibits accumulation of junk vehicles and outdoor mechanical repairs, requires customer parking to be on asphalt or concrete in designated areas, and requires the building elevations to be substantially similar to those submitted with the application.

Three separate special‑use permits for boat and RV storage along Holiday Road and Lanier Islands Parkway were approved: #SUP‑24‑28 (Private Eye Properties, 5747 Holiday Road), #SUP‑24‑29 (ADE 1014, LLC, 5741 Holiday Road) and #SUP‑24‑30 (Jimstar Properties, LLC, 5787 Holiday Road). Each approval carries substantially similar conditions: a 10‑foot enhanced landscape strip along road frontage planted with evergreen trees and shrubs, prohibition of junk boats/vehicles and on‑site mechanical repairs, asphalt or concrete surfacing with curb and gutter meeting City standards, a black metal decorative fence with brick columns along frontages and black‑coated chain‑link fencing along sides/rear, drive aisles no less than 24 feet wide, compliance with Section 1316 (Overlay District) and the requirement that final site plans substantially match the submitted plans.

A separate request, Special Use Permit #SUP‑24‑27 from Sammy Amor to allow tobacco and vape retail sales at 3829 Buford Drive, was denied by unanimous vote. Tyler Goodman spoke for the applicant; the City received a letter opposing the request from the owner of the Chevron Food Mart at 3833 Buford Drive. The commission voted 3–0 to deny that permit.

All actions on the permits were recorded as unanimous (Ayes 3 Nays 0). The Planning Director is charged with reviewing final architectural and landscape plans where specified.

The approvals and conditions are recorded in the meeting minutes; applicants must meet all other Zoning Ordinance and Development Regulation requirements not specifically waived by the commission.