🚧 Mulch Madness & Porch Encroachments: What Really Went Down at the Zoning Board Meeting

Thanks for sending the full transcript! Here’s a breakdown of the key topics discussed in this meeting that the local community would find relevant:

🔑 Key Topics from the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

1. Variance Request for a Wood Chip Storage Yard on Victoria Road

• Issue: Whether to grant a variance to waive the required deceleration lane for a new wood chip storage yard.
• Location: 431 Victoria Road (zoned Light Industrial).
• Details:
• Traffic study indicated only ~2 right-turning vehicles per day, far below the 200 daily threshold required by GDOT for a decel lane.
• Residents and HOAs raised strong opposition due to concerns about traffic safety, school bus routes, boat trailer traffic (due to proximity to Lake Allatoona), and the industrial nature of the operation.
• Outcome: Variance denied (5-0 vote).
• Community Impact: Residents are encouraged to raise separate concerns about whether a chip yard is an appropriate use under Light Industrial zoning with the county development office.

2. Maple Grove Subdivision – Front Porch Encroachment

• Issue: Allow 45 homes to have front porches that extend 4 feet into the platted front setback.
• Location: Maple Grove Subdivision (Phase 2), Strawberry Lane & Tambourine Trail.
• Details:
• Original zoning supported the inclusion of front porches but due to a platting oversight, a variance was needed.
• The porches were considered architecturally beneficial and aesthetically pleasing.
• Outcome: Variance approved (5-0 vote) with condition to re-record plat with updated notes.

Click to learn how YOU can seeing all the local meetings, in full, with transcript and links.

3. Lake Arrowhead Cabin Lot – Minor Front Setback Reduction

• Issue: Porch on Lot 14 extends 1.5 feet into the front setback due to road curvature.
• Location: Red Cloud Cabins, Lake Arrowhead.
• Outcome: Variance approved (5-0 vote).

4. Accessory Structure Built Without Permit on Honeysuckle Drive

• Issue: Shed built 21 feet from front property line, and only 6 feet from side setback, without permit.
• Location: 1115 Honeysuckle Drive.
• Details:
• Built to complement home; code enforcement prompted retroactive variance.
• Neighbors expressed concern about potential stormwater runoff (though not caused by this shed currently).
• Outcome: Variance approved (5-0 vote) with condition that a permit must be filed within 30 days.

5. Family Land Split – Structure Too Close to Proposed Lot Line

• Issue: Structure on family land subdivision sits 22 feet from a new internal front lot line.
• Location: Salacoa Road (tract being subdivided per inheritance).
• Outcome: Variance approved (5-0 vote).

6. River Mill Drive – Heavy Equipment Storage Yard Fence

• Issue: Requested a variance to build an 8-foot privacy fence at the front property line (instead of 50 ft setback) to allow for easier turning radius for large trucks.
• Location: 170 River Mill Drive.
• Details:
• Neighboring business expressed concern about zero setback causing future issues with access or potential damage.
• Outcome: Variance approved (3-2 vote).

7. Legacy Downs (Holly Springs) – Intersection Spacing Variance

• Issue: Request to reduce spacing between subdivision entrance and nearby roads (MacArthur Dr & Malden Ln).
• Location: Univeter Road & Hwy 140.
• Details:
• Subdivision is in Holly Springs, but entrances connect to Cherokee County roads.
• Site constraints and existing/future road improvements necessitated closer spacing.
• Supported by county DOT staff (though not in writing).
• Outcome: Variance approved (3-2 vote).

Let me know, and we’ll move to the next step:
👉 “Tell me the best spots in the blog post you create to add some links back to the video of the council meeting?”
Ready to roll?

Click to learn how YOU can seeing all the local meetings, in full, with transcript and links.