Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for Sept. 3, 2026

The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals held a meeting on September 3, 2026, primarily to consider two variance requests related to property development and stream buffer encroachments. The first case involved a request for a special exception to allow a new home and driveway to encroach into a contextual street setback and a 75-foot stream buffer at 4600 Brierwood Place. The applicant proposed significant stormwater mitigation measures, including a new concrete flume, underground detention system, pervious pavers for the driveway, and dry wells to manage runoff. Despite these efforts, the board voted 5-1 to deny the variance due to concerns about potential downstream impacts and the lack of guarantees that the mitigation would prevent harm. The second case concerned a variance request for a porch, deck, and retaining wall encroaching into a 75-foot stream buffer at 5522 Miltrace Drive. The board unanimously approved this request, noting that the improvements replaced existing structures without expanding impervious surfaces and that the property was largely within the stream buffer. The meeting included extensive public comments, technical discussions on stormwater management, and deliberations balancing community concerns with legal criteria for granting variances.