City of Powder Springs - File #: PZ 26-010

• File #: PZ 26-010
• Version: 1
• Type: Special Use
• Status: Passed
• File created: 3/2/2026
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 5/4/2026
• Final action: 5/4/2026
• Title: Application for Special Use located on property at 4505 Atlanta Street within Land Lot 902, of the 19th District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia. PIN: 19090200190.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
5/4/2026	1	City Council	approved	Pass
4/6/2026	1	City Council	tabled	Pass

Staff Report

To: Planning & Zoning Commission

From: JoAnna Robinson

Subject: Special Use at 4505 Atlanta St SW

Subject Property: 4505 Atlanta St SW

Parcel Number and Description:    19090200190  

LL902, 19th District, 2nd Sec, Cobb County   0.34 acres

Zoning: CBD (Commercial Business District) in the Downtown Development Overlay, Historic Core, Urban Redevelopment Area, and under the DDA Authority as well.

Applicant requests to obtain Special Use approval to operate a youth basketball sports training and athletic academy in the subject property.

Background:

Subject property is a building that was built in 1910 and is approximately 5,790 sq ft.  This property was rezoned by the City of Powder Springs from LI to CBD in 2014.  The purpose of this was to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) which was made in 2006.  Ms. Andrea’s concept is a community-focused basketball training facility for youth (primarily ages 8-14) to address the local shortage of gym space.  They wish to focus on skill development and mentorship rather than competitive AAU tournaments.

This site has 6-8 spaces for parking and approximately 24 spaces in the Public Parking area that is across the street. The public parking overflow which is across the street could potentially work.  Applicant needs to have a parking plan for subject property. Because this property is located in the Downtown Development Overlay, the DDA was reached out to as well.  Staff reached out to Mr. Marsellas with Economic Development. (Figure 4).  Further information can be found on the Downtown Development Overlay at this link:  <https://library.municode.com/ga/powder_springs/codes/unified_development_code?nodeId=ART2ZODIOFZOMA_DIVIVOVDI_S2-31DOREOV>.  Lastly, this property is also located in the Historic Urban Core as well.  “The purpose and intent of such a boundary is to protect the historic nature and character of the area by establishing architectural styles, permitted building materials and colors in order to enhance the historic area, provide uniformity in future construction and/or rehabilitation of the existing building stock, to protect the investment of properties and building stock and to further promote the economic development of properties within said boundaries.”

Please see link:  <https://library.municode.com/ga/powder_springs/codes/unified_development_code?nodeId=ART5SIARDERE_DIVVIHIURCO>

What Applicant is proposing:  A youth sports training and athletic academy providing structured basketball instruction, conditioning, and student-athlete development. Programming will include scheduled training sessions, small-group instruction, and supervised academic support for youth ages 8-18. The facility is designed to serve local families by offering accessible athletic development and mentorship within an existing commercial building.

Response to Applicant:  This usage of the property will require SPECIAL USE approval per Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 2-2, Table 2-3 https://library.municode.com/ga/powder_springs/codes/unified_development_code? nodeId=ART2ZODIOFZOMA_DIVIIIMIENOZODI_S2-22TAPESPUSMIENSIZODI.

Other Conditions that may apply: This property is also located in the Downtown Development Overlay, the Historic Core, Urban Redevelopment Area, and under the DDA Authority as well.

Figure 1 - Zoning Map    Figure 2 - Vicinity Map

Figure 3 - Parking Lot of Subject Property    Figure 4 - Email from Economic Development

Figure 1 - Zoning Map

Figure 2 - Vicinity Map

Figure 3 - Parking Lot of Subject Property

Figure 4 - Email from Economic Development

Questions that were asked of Applicant:

1. Portion of building dedicated to proposed activities?
The intent is to utilize the majority of the building (approximately 5,500-5,790 square feet) for the proposed use. The space will include an indoor basketball training court, conditioning and stretching areas, a small media/study area for homework and student-athlete programming, limited spectator viewing, and ancillary office and storage space. No residential use is proposed.

2. Sports disciplines offered?
The primary discipline offered will be basketball training, including skills development, conditioning, agility training, camps, clinics, and instructional programming. No contact sports or league-style competitions are proposed at this time.

3. Anticipated occupancy?
Occupancy will be program-based and controlled, with typical attendance expected to range between 20-40 participants at a time, inclusive of athletes, coaches, and limited spectators. All activities will comply with applicable building, fire, and occupancy requirements as determined by the City.

4. Proposed days and hours of operation?
Proposed hours of operation are 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM, seven (7) days per week. These extended hours are intended to accommodate the varying schedules of student-athletes and families, including before-school training, after-school programming, and evening sessions. Based on our experience working with youth and families, this flexibility is necessary to meet community demand. Actual usage may vary by day and program.

5. Age groups served?
The academy will primarily serve youth and student-athletes approximately ages 8-18, with occasional programming or clinics for young adults.

Written Analysis (Applicant’s Responses)

a.                     Whether the proposed special use is consistent with the stated purpose of the zoning district in which it will be located. The proposed youth sports training academy is consistent with the zoning district' s purpose as it promotes productive commercial use of an existing building while providing a community-serving service.

b.                     Whether the proposed zoning district and uses permitted within that district are suitable in view of the zoning and development of adjacent and nearby property. Commercial use of an existing building while providing a community-serving service.

c.                     Whether the location and character of the proposed special use are consistent with a desirable pattern of development in general. Yes. The proposed use activates an existing commercial building with a structured, community-serving operation that aligns with desirable commercial development patterns.

d.                     Whether the type of street providing access to the use is or will be adequate to serve the proposed special use. Yes. The property is located on an established roadway with adequate access to support the proposed use and anticipated traffic.

e.                     Whether access into and out of the property is or will be adequate to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety, the anticipated volume of traffic flow, and access by emergency vehicles. Yes. Existing access points are adequate to accommodate anticipated traffic flow while maintaining pedestrian safety and providing appropriate access for emergency vehicles.

f.                     Whether public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities, and police or fire protection are or will be adequate to serve the use.  Yes. Existing public facilities and utilities, including water, sewer, police, and fire services, are adequate to serve the proposed use.

Staff Recommendation:  Approval with conditions.

Staff Analysis:

Staff supports this proposal due to its potential for economic impact. By increasing pedestrian activity and encouraging longer visits to our downtown district, this use optimizes city resources-specifically by bringing the existing Public parking lot into consistent service. Furthermore, Staff reached out to Economic Development. Following an evaluation of the project’s impact on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district, Economic Development confirmed the feasibility of the use and expressed full support for its integration into the downtown core.

Conditions:

1.                     Hours of Operation: Authorized hours shall be limited to 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday-Sunday to maintain harmony with neighboring residential and commercial uses.

2.                     Use Limitation: The facility shall be limited to indoor basketball training, academic mentoring, and related athletic fitness activities. Any conversion to an event hall or public assembly space shall require a new Special Use Permit.

3.                     Drop-off/Pick-up Plan: The applicant must submit a traffic flow plan to the City ensuring that student drop-offs do not obstruct public rights-of-way or emergency access.

4.                     Capacity: Maximum occupancy shall be determined by the Fire Marshal and strictly enforced to prevent overcrowding during peak training sessions.

5.                     Supervision Requirements: A minimum staff-to-student ratio of 1:15 must be maintained at all times. All instructors must undergo and maintain current national background screenings <https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/sports/athletics_department/youth_sport_coaches>.

Recommendations:

1.                     Signage: Professional wayfinding signage must be installed to guide patrons from the overflow lot to the facility entrance.

2.                     Supervision Requirements: A minimum staff-to-student ratio of 1:15 must be maintained at all times. All instructors must undergo and maintain current national background screenings <https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/sports/athletics_department/youth_sport_coaches>.