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Council Approves Special Use Permit for Luxury Auto Repair After 3-1 Vote
Summary
The Lilburn City Council approved Ordinance 2026-664 to grant SUP-2025-04, permitting a luxury auto and truck service center in an existing building, over the dissent of Councilmember Christina van Maanen who cited a deficient buffer; the vote was 3-1.
The Lilburn City Council on Jan. 12 approved Ordinance 2026-664, amending the official zoning map to grant Special Use Permit SUP-2025-04 for an auto and truck service center that will specialize in higher-end European vehicles.
Planning Director Reid Turner told the Council staff had reviewed the property's zoning, use, ownership and business-licensing history and found the proposed reuse of the existing building to be in substantial compliance with zoning guidelines and the U.S. 29 Overlay District. The applicant's attorney, Joe Wilburn, "requested that the 120-day compliance period referred to in Item 11 be applied to Items 8 and 12," citing pedestrian damage to rear-buffer vegetation and asking for time to complete required landscaping.
Councilmember Christina van Maanen said she welcomed the investment but noted a primary concern: the buffer adjacent to the multifamily property is 20 feet rather than the required 40 feet, and she stated that deficiency "would result in her vote to deny the application." With that objection noted, the Council voted 3-1 to approve the special use permit, with van Maanen casting the lone dissent.
Under the approval the business must meet the staff-recommended conditions and complete landscaping and other items within the timelines established by the Council. The decision allows reuse of the existing building with minimal exterior changes rather than new development.
