The Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 12 approved a variance allowing Joseph and Katie Burke to build an attached two-story garage that reduces the side setback from 12 feet to 5 feet, subject to conditions addressing stormwater, use and buffering.

Attorney Kevin Moore presented the application and renderings, told the board the addition would be largely built on existing driveway pavers and would not increase impervious area beyond thresholds that trigger mitigation. He provided a GIS map and said there are several similar approved variances in the neighborhood and submitted 12 neighbor signatures and five letters of support.

Neighbor Stanley Snellings objected, saying the proposed garage would "devalue our property considerably," raise grading and foundation concerns and alter views from his porch. Stormwater manager Andrew Heath told the board the area of the proposed garage sits largely on existing impervious surface and recommended capturing downspouts and routing drainage behind the house to prevent runoff toward the adjacent neighbor.

Commissioner Swanson moved to approve V-137 with staff and stormwater conditions, prohibit living or business use in the two-story garage, and require the applicant to meet with the county arborist to develop a buffering plan; the motion carried 5-0.

The board's approval includes a condition that the permit incorporate stormwater staff comments and that the applicant implement tree/hedge buffering to mitigate visual and privacy impacts. The applicant agreed to meet with the county arborist and to plant additional trees or hedges as needed.