The Milton Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 18 approved a variance allowing a single‑family property at 13805 Hopewell Road to exceed the standard 20% lot coverage limit and instead build to 21.69%, subject to two conditions including a city‑approved water‑quality treatment system.

Community development staff presented the application (V25‑161308), noting the property is a roughly 1.0035‑acre AG‑1 lot in the rural Milton overlay and that the applicant initially requested 23.86% lot coverage before reducing the design after input from the Design Review Board (DRB). Staff recommended approval if the site is built per the November 7, 2025 site plan and the city development engineer determines required water‑quality treatment for new impervious surfaces.

Scott Reese of Burmiller Reese and Associates, representing applicants Tiffany and Jeffrey Battiste, described design constraints tied to the nearby Hopewell Road/Bethany Way roundabout and a family need for a wider driveway apron and turnaround. Reese said the design team revised the plan after DRB comments and that an AquaCell stormwater management system will be installed to capture and treat runoff from the full proposed 9,777 square feet of impervious area. "We have adequately designed a stormwater management system that will control all of the impervious area proposed for this property," Reese told the board.

Board members asked whether the curb cut or driveway entrance would be changed and whether neighbors had submitted letters supporting or opposing the request; staff said the entrance will remain and no neighborhood letters were received. Staff clarified that the advertised application in the Milton Herald reflected the original percentage, but the applicant reduced the proposal to 21.69% before the meeting.

Chair Hodge moved to approve the variance with two conditions: that construction follow the Nov. 7, 2025 variance site plan from Burmiller Reese and Associates reflecting the reduction to 21.69%, and that water‑quality treatment be provided for all new impervious surfaces as determined by the city development engineer through the permitting process. The motion was seconded by Nick Horton and passed unanimously.

The board’s approval preserves the DRB‑requested reductions in impervious surface and requires the city’s engineering review of stormwater controls before final permitting, while allowing the applicants to proceed with the revised driveway, pool decking and associated paving.