After electing its leadership for this year, Milton’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday will vote on a pair of primary variance requests related to a proposed guesthouse off Bethany Bend.

The February 17 meeting will start at 6 p.m. in City Hall. In addition to attending in person, people can watch the meeting online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddqdwO7cBw.

Often referred to as BZA, the Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial body that votes on requests for variances from City Code like those up for consideration Tuesday. Its seven appointed members also hear appeals to City decisions tied to the Unified Development Code, stream buffers, and sign permits. BZA decisions are guided by City Code, including Milton’s zoning standards, and can be appealed to Fulton County Superior Court.

Shortly after settling into Council Chambers, Board of Zoning Appeals members will vote on who will be the group’s Chair and Vice Chair for 2026. 

Then, they’ll consider primary variance requests associated with 2410 Bethany Bend, a 7-acre property that can be accessed between Hopewell Road and Bethany Church Road. The Design Review Board did a courtesy review of these same requests earlier this month and recommended approval.

The requests pertain to a proposed guesthouse on the property. The applicant is asking if that structure can be 44 square feet bigger than is currently permitted for a guesthouse (thus increasing the current maximum from 1,500 square feet to 1,544 square feet) to allow for a disability-related accommodation. The second variance request will make it possible for the guesthouse to be technically in front of an existing single-family home (with the applicant stating there is already “high density screening from the existing tree coverage”).

After this meeting, the Board of Zoning Appeals is next scheduled to convene on March 17.