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Developer seeks dozen variances for Chamblee Dunwoody Road mixed-use project; council probes parking and design
Summary
Windsor Stevens Holdings presented a multi-variance request for the Chamblee Dunwoody Road site, seeking changes including more small units, an eighth story in places, and reduced ground-floor fenestration; staff recommended denial of several variances and required conditions if others are approved.
The Chamblee City Council heard a presentation on a proposed development along Chamblee Dunwoody Road that includes 12 variance requests and three waivers, and received questions from council about parking access, topography and design details.
Planning staff summarized the request and recommended denial of variances 1–6 and 8 and waivers 1–2, while recommending approval of variances 7 and 9–12 and waiver 3 with conditions. Staff’s conditions included that the development be constructed in substantial conformity with the site plan and elevations received by the planning department on Aug. 5, 2025; capping the leasing office at 1,000 square feet; and installing screening on the west side of the parking structure with final artwork approved by the Public Arts Commission.
Developer representative Rod Millis of Windsor Stevens Holdings outlined why the variances are needed. “The first variance, moving from the code’s 60% of units under 800 square feet to our requested 85%, is basically for the yield of the units to make the project financially feasible from our lenders’ perspective,” Millis said, and described a proposal to set aside 20% of units at 80% of area median income. He also said the project would pursue EarthCraft certification and propose electric-vehicle charging at three times the code requirement.
Council members pressed the applicant on ground-floor uses and the western elevation facing the rail trail. Millis said site topography creates a 20-foot drop along the trail and that retail is not expected on the western side. He also discussed potential shared parking arrangements and said the project would work with the downtown development authority (DDA) and nearby property owners to explore shared or stubbed access points.
The Design Review Board recommended modifying variance 1 to allow 75% of units under 800 square feet, obscuring the parking deck from the rail trail, matching fenestration to presented elevations, and limiting any height increase to accommodate parking on a specific elevation; the board also recommended additional balconies on the south elevation and more short-term bicycle racks.
Next steps: the item will return to council for continued review; council did not take final action on the variances at the work session.
