Brookhaven Board of Appeals approves multiple variances, grants tree removal with conditions and records several withdrawals

The Brookhaven Board of Appeals on Thursday approved a series of zoning variances across the city’s docket, granting conditional relief for setbacks, an increase in impervious coverage for a residential addition, a carport, and a specimen-tree removal — while several other applicants withdrew their requests without prejudice.

Highlights from the meeting: the board unanimously approved a variance for a carport at 1762 Remington Road so a family can add parking and accommodate a mother-in-law suite; architect Steven Bianchi explained the lot’s severe grade change and an in-front gas pipeline constrained alternatives. The board unanimously approved a rear-addition variance at 1160 Wild Creek Trail after architect Michael DeCarlo argued the house’s orientation and steep slope left no feasible option to move the addition outside the 75-foot stream buffer.

In a closer vote, the board approved a developer’s request to remove a 41-inch water oak at 1372 Oconee Pass by a 3–2 vote. Developer Gabe Biscakov of Blackbird Homes told the board the tree’s critical root zone is already heavily encroached by roadway and planned sidewalk work and that the tree would be structurally compromised by the planned redevelopment; the developer agreed to staff conditions, including planting a new overstory tree. A resident letter read into the record said further tree loss on the lot could worsen downstream flooding and urged the board to deny removal.

The board also accepted written withdrawals without prejudice from multiple applicants earlier in the evening, removing those cases from the docket.

Board members repeatedly referenced staff reports and flagged that approvals were subject to the specific conditions recommended by city staff; the motions to approve included language tying relief to those conditions. Where the board approved variances they consistently recorded that the approvals were conditional on meeting the staff-prescribed mitigation and planting requirements.

Action summary: approvals included VAR25-00031 (2485 Apalachee Drive — rear setback and impervious coverage increase) approved unanimously with staff conditions; VAR25-00029 (1762 Remington Road — side setback for carport) approved unanimously with two staff conditions; VAR25-00033 (1372 Oconee Pass — specimen-tree removal) approved 3–2 with a planting condition; VAR25-00034 (1160 Wild Creek Trail — stream-buffer reduction to 45 feet) approved unanimously subject to stormwater conditions; and VAR25-00035 (1315 Ragley Hall Road — front-yard average setback reduction) approved unanimously with staff conditions. Several earlier cases (including VAR25-00024, VAR2528, and VAR25-00030) were withdrawn without prejudice.