PZ 24-016.
APPLICANT: Virginia Murphey, Waste Water Industrial Solutions
SPECIAL USE: To allow Metal Fabrication in the Light Industrial zoning district, per UDC Table 2-3.
LOCATION: 3194 Florence RD SW, within land lot 675 of the 19th District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia.
ZONING: LI ACRES: 1.95 ac PIN: 19067500180
Staff Recommendation: APPROVAL Planning and Zoning Recommendation:
BACKGROUND: Waste Water Industrial Solutions, is requesting approval to operate at their metal fabrication business the LI property referenced. Table 2-3 of Permitted and Special Uses provides that “Manufacturing, primary and fabricated metal” require special use approval in the LI zoning district.
The applicant is seeking to relocate their business operations to a larger facility, and has chosen Powder Springs as their new home. They executed the lease before realizing that special use approval is required. The company’s website is accessible from the following link: https://www.wwisllc.com/.
The 20,000-sf facility at Florence Road is well suited to the needs of this expanding business and their proposed use aligns with the light industrial activity that prevails in that area.
SURROUNDING AREA: The subject property is in a light industrial warehouse park, and light industrial uses are predominant in the area. Residential zoning in the city and the county is adjacent to the north. To the east is residential zoning, on the opposite side of Florence Road.
Figure 1. Zoning District: LI
Figure 2. Visuals from the company's website.
ANALYSIS:
The application was reviewed against the following criteria:
1. Will the proposed special use be consistent with the stated purpose of the zoning district in which it will be located?
This special use request is consistent with the purpose and intent of the Light Industrial district. The LI Zoning District is established to provide locations for office, automotive repair, light manufacturing and distribution/service facilities.
The LI Zoning District does not involve or permit manufacturing establishments which emit smoke, water pollution, or excessive noise such as those resulting from the conversion of raw materials into finished products.
Therefore, the code provides that metal fabrication, certain manufacturing, and certain recycling for example, must receive special use approval.
2. Will the establishment of the special use not impede the normal and orderly development of the surrounding property for uses predominate in the area?
The establishment of the special use will align with the prevailing light industrial activity in the area.
3. Is the location and character of the proposed special use consistent with a desirable pattern of development in general?
The proposed use is consistent with the area and the existing facility’s location and the site’s configuration are well suited to the needs of the applicant.
4. Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to serve the proposed special use?
Florence Road provides access to the facility, and is adequate to serve the proposed use.
5. Is or will access into and out of the property be adequate to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety, the anticipated volume of traffic flow, and access by emergency vehicles?
The site is capable of supporting the traffic volume that the applicant will generate. Access and safety are adequate at this existing LI facility.
6. Are or will public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities, and police or fire protection be adequate to serve the proposed use?
Public Safety and Public Utilities should have adequate capacity to serve the proposed special use.
7. Are or will refuse, service, parking and loading areas on the property be located or screened to protect other properties in the area from such adverse effects as noise, light, glare, or odor?
Negative externalities related to the use should not cause nuisances to surrounding properties.
8. Will the hours and manner of operation of the special use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area?
No, the activity is expected to align with the LI activity that prevails in the area.
9. Will the height, size or location of the buildings or other structures on the property be compatible with the height, size or location of buildings or other structures on neighboring properties?
No external changes are planned to the building, nor is any new development plan. The sites’ dimensional requirements are met for the LI zoning district.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL, with the following conditions:
1. The Special Use Request for Manufacturing, primary and fabricated metal, is approved and shall not be transferable to a different business operation or subsequent tenant at the subject facility.
2. The applicant shall complete the required occupancy change and occupational tax processes to establish a new business operation at the subject location.