Woodstock Planning Commission Approves Fence Rule Change, Advances Mixed-Use Zoning Update at March 5, 2026 Meeting; Linton Street Variance Tabled

The Woodstock Planning Commission met Thursday, March 5, 2026, at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St., and took action on three public hearing items - approving a fence regulation amendment, forwarding a mixed-use zoning district update to City Council, and tabling a residential variance that had been expected to come to a vote.

Following the agenda items Woodstock Community News previewed ahead of the meeting, two of the three items proceeded largely as anticipated. The third - a variance request for properties at 64 and 68 Linton Street - did not advance after the applicant asked that it be tabled indefinitely.

Commissioner David Lundquist was absent. All votes were decided by the six commissioners present.

The commission approved minutes from its February 5, 2026 meeting on a 6-0 vote before moving to the public hearings. Commissioner Gregg Smith made the motion; Commissioner Paul Laney seconded.

On the Linton Street matter, case V#218-25, Community Development Director Melissa Sigmund informed the commission that applicant Alec Davidson had requested indefinite tabling in order to coordinate the variance with two related applications and a development agreement. No public comment was taken. Staff noted the public hearing notification process will restart once the item is rescheduled. Commissioner Paul Laney moved to table the item to an uncertain date; Commissioner Chase Roth seconded. The motion carried 6-0. As Woodstock Community News previously reported, the variance would have allowed more than one residential unit per building at 64 and 68 Linton Street and would have removed a rental restriction attached to a prior variance approval for the same properties.

The commission unanimously approved ZTA#022-26, the proposed amendment to Chapter X of the Land Development Ordinance dealing with administration and enforcement. Planner Cameron Dunn presented the item, explaining that many residential lots contain interior zoning buffers that limit usable yard area, and that homeowners unaware of those buffers have created enforcement issues by installing fences, removing trees and making other disturbances without permits. Because fences do not require permits in Woodstock, Dunn said, enforcement has been complicated. The amendment expands the authority of the Development Process Committee to grant administrative variances allowing fences within zoning buffers, while leaving larger disturbances such as pools, accessory dwelling units and tree removal subject to existing permitting requirements. Staff framed the change as a way to allow homeowners to legitimize minor existing encroachments without going through a full public hearing process. No members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Chase Roth moved to approve; Commissioner Gregg Smith seconded. The motion carried 6-0. As previously reported, the DPC had voted 6-0 to recommend approval at its February 26 meeting.

The commission also voted to forward ZTA#021-26, an update to the GC-VMU General Commercial Village Mixed-Use zoning district, to City Council for final approval. Sigmund presented the item, outlining key proposed changes: allowing non-vertical, or horizontal, mixed-use developments through a Conditional Use Permit process requiring a master plan and conceptual elevations; permitting properties in the Parkway Overlay and Ridgewalk Overlay to request increased residential density of up to 25 dwelling units per acre through a rezoning subject to Planning Commission and City Council review; and keeping ground-floor residential uses prohibited by right in the GC-VMU district, with a CUP required to allow them. Sigmund described the amendment as a mid-term tool to support mixed-use development while a Planned Unit Development district is still being drafted, and noted the changes align with recommendations from the Highway 92 Livable Centers Initiative study and goals in the city's Comprehensive Plan.

One person, John Underwood of 8175 Main St., signed up to speak in favor of ZTA#021-26 but did not address the commission when called. No one spoke in opposition. Commissioner Chase Roth moved to approve; Commissioner Ali Najafi seconded. The motion carried 5-1, with Commissioner Brandon Williams voting in opposition. As previously reported, the DPC had unanimously recommended approval at its February 25 meeting.

Staff had no announcements or informational items. Commissioner Brandon Williams adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m.

The Linton Street variance, case V#218-25, will return to the Planning Commission at a future date to be determined. The GC-VMU amendment is scheduled for a first reading before the Mayor and Council on March 23, 2026, and a second reading on April 9, 2026, according to the agenda packet. For more information, contact the City of Woodstock at 770-592-6000 or visit woodstockga.gov.