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Council turns down ex-mayor’s variance request

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Former Senoia mayor Dianne Cleveland’s request for a 750 sq. ft. variance got the thumbs down from the Senoia City Council Monday night.

Cleveland was seeking to move a 750 sq. ft. home onto a lot at 419 Seavy Street. She wants to rent the house out, and said the home is the exact same size of the house that was previously on the location. The city’s current minimum size for homes is 1,500 sq. ft.

Cleveland’s representative, former city administrator Murray McAfee, explained the former house had burned in 2001, but Cleveland was not able to secure the property rights until earlier this month after a protracted battle in probate court.

“We just want to replace it with a similar house,” McAfee explained.

But several neighbors spoke in opposition to the effort.

“i just think it’s going to lower my property values,” said Don Childs, who lives near the property.

McAfee presented the council with photos of nearby property and said the previous home had been there for nearly 60 years and many of the residents had built their homes after the rental home had long been established.

But the council disagreed with McAfee and Cleveland.

“I worked with Dianne when she was mayor on getting the minimum house size increased and we need to stick to it,” said Councilmember Bill Wood.

Wood, Councilmember Larry Owens and Mayor Bob Hannah voted to deny the variance, while Councilmembers Robert Belisle and Tony Miller abstained.

The council did say that Cleveland could move the home to the site on a temporary foundation if she would add on to the home to meet the minimum size.