Cobb County Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Cobb County held 5 public meetings covering zoning matters. Of 17 zoning decisions with a clear outcome this month, 16 were approved (94% approval rate) and 1 denied. 7 decisions were deferred. Activity was down 14% compared to April (690 activity items across 6 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

V62 - Light of the World Church Setback and Buffer Variances

Deferred.

Variance request to reduce setbacks for church within residential district from required 50 feet to 9 feet (north), 21 feet (west), and 38 feet (south), and waive 50-foot landscape buffer at property on west side of Austell Rd., north of Pear Rd., in land lot 701 of 19th district. Church has operated since 1999. Three neighbors opposed citing stormwater runoff issues affecting properties at 1336 and 1332 Redhill Rd.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Racetrack Convenience Store with Fuel Sales at Bells Ferry Rd/Barrett Pkwy

Denied.

Racetrack Inc requested rezoning from PSC and NRC for a convenience food store with fuel sales at the northwest intersection of Bells Ferry Rd and Ernest Barrett Pkwy. The 16-pump facility would be approximately 150-300 feet from Bells Ferry Elementary School playground and adjacent to a KinderCare daycare. 28 people opposed, citing health concerns about benzene emissions near children. Vote: 5-0 denial.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Lowell Dr Townhomes Private Road and Stream Buffer Averaging

Deferred.

Hampton 193 LLC request for private road and stream buffer averaging for 22 townhomes at east end of Lowell Dr held for 30 days. Staff recommended applicant bring proposal with all single-family houses instead.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

V13 - Gary Bryant Gilmore Impervious Coverage Variance

Approved.

Variance approved to increase maximum allowable impervious coverage from 40% per previous variance V170 of 2015 to 61%, reduce rear setback from 30 feet to 13 feet, reduce front setback from 25 feet to 23 feet, and reduce setback for outdoor fireplace from 5 feet to 0 feet at 5037 Canopy Dr. Property located at terminus of Canopy Dr. in land lot 23 of 16th district.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Pet Goats Variance at Ebenezer Court

Approved.

Kyle and Jade Shankman denied lot size reduction from 2 acres to 0.53 acres for keeping two pet goats, but allowed to keep existing goats Gizmo and Romeo until they die naturally (10-12 year lifespan, currently 7 years old). No replacement goats permitted.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

V58 - Morgan and Peggy McNeil Pool House Setback

Deferred.

Variance request to reduce setbacks for proposed 625 square foot pool house from required 35 feet to 18 feet adjacent to southern property line at property at terminus of Hazeltine Ln., in land lot 253 of 20th district. One neighbor opposed. Attorney Rob Hosack represented applicants.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SLUP-6 Wollaston Enterprises Tow Yard

Deferred.

Special land use permit for automobile storage yard and towing facility at New McEver Rd. and Huddleston Bridge Pkwy. in Landlot 66, 20th District held to June meeting. Staff recommended denial. Adjacent to approximately 3,000 homes in Huddleston Bridge, McEver Park, and Legacy Park subdivisions. Opposition cited incompatibility with residential character, traffic safety concerns near schools, and environmental impacts.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Z17 Jairo Murillo Residential Subdivision

Deferred.

Rezoning from R-20 and R-30 to R-15 for 15-lot residential subdivision on Old Canton Rd. and Clackam Rd. in Landlots 768 and 817, 16th District held to July 7, 2026 meeting. Significant floodplain and stream buffer challenges identified. Applicant directed to hire engineer, meet with stormwater staff, and develop revised plan addressing access issues to southern lot across Sewell Mill Creek floodplain.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• PSC and NRC → NRC at Northwest intersection of Bells Ferry Rd and Ernest Barrett Pkwy, Land Lot 583, 16th District (Racetrack Inc)
• NRC with stipulations (drugstore only) → NRC (no stipulations) at Southeast intersection of Scuffle Grit Rd and Sandy Plains Rd, Land Lot 7706, 16th District (Sugar Bear Properties LLC)
• LRO with bank-only stipulation → LRO (stipulation removed), 0.89 acres at Northeast intersection of Canton Rd and Blackwell Rd, Land Lot 421, 16th District (Consider Cremation Inc / Boston's Mortuary)
• PSC → NRC at Northwest corner of Bells Ferry Rd. and Ernest Barrett Pkwy., 16th District (Racetrack Inc.)
• GC → NRC at East side of Canton Rd. south of Kurtz Rd., Landlot 733, 16th District (Wadi Investments LLC)
• NRC with stipulations (drugstore only) → NRC at Southeast corner of Sandy Plains Rd. and Scuffle Grit Rd., Landlot 776, 16th District (Sugar Bear Properties LLC)
• R-20 and R-30 → R-15, approximately 12 acres at West side of Old Canton Rd. and Clackam Rd., Landlots 768 and 817, 16th District (Jairo Murillo)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 134 instances
• variance: 82 instances
• residential: 45 instances
• subdivision: 45 instances
• commercial: 42 instances

What to Watch

• Subdivision mentions were up 165% from April.

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