Sandy Springs board approves variance to retain patio eave at 701 Bassway with screening condition

The Sandy Springs Board of Appeals on Feb. 4 unanimously approved a variance allowing a roof eave at 701 Bassway to extend 5.2 feet into the city's 30-foot side-street setback, provided the homeowners maintain permanent vegetative screening.

Staff recommended denial, telling the board the eave encroaches on Development Code section 6.1.0.2(b) and that the property's characteristics do not justify relief. Planners also noted the encroachment is largely concealed by trees and other landscaping and not visible from Mount Vernon Highway.

Homeowner Andrea Darwish told the board she was cited in February 2025 and later learned the builder had not obtained the proper permits. "I was not aware that my builder had not, filed for the proper permitting," Darwish said, adding she removed walls and steps that were in violation but was unable to remove the roof eave without dismantling the entire roof. She told the board the overhang "can't be seen by anybody" and said she would "absolutely" maintain the vegetation to preserve screening.

The board approved the request with the staff-recommended condition that the homeowners permanently maintain vegetative screening consistent with the exhibit shown at the hearing. An unidentified board member moved to approve and a second was recorded; the motion passed unanimously.

The approval allows the limited eave encroachment to remain under the condition intended to preserve the visual buffer along Mount Vernon Highway. The board then called the next case on the agenda.