Sandy Springs staff proposed adding the use of vegetative evergreen retaining walls to the city’s development code.
The city only allows walls clad in brick, stone, or stucco, or walls constructed of non-beveled blocks, Senior Planner Matthew Anspach told the city council during its April 2 work session.
A vegetative evergreen wall is usually constructed with welded wire, which is screened by the vegetation. The walls would need to be green all year, he said.
The idea came up about a month ago when a builder found the backfill being used to replace an existing retaining wall was not suitable, Councilmember John Paulson said.
He said if added to the development code, the use of vegetative walls would have to be reviewed by staff.
The Community Development Department will bring the proposal back to the city council for consideration in a regular session.
Couple’s request to build garage denied
An East Northway Lane homeowner’s request for a variance to build a garage and a sunroom that would encroach into a side setback was denied by the Sandy Springs Board of Appeals on Wednesday.
Alex Mammen told the board that he and his wife wanted the garage addition because the installation of an elevator in their home would prevent the use of one existing garage space for their home. The elevator would open into the garage.
His wife’s health issues and the expectation that their parents may have to move into the house created the need for the elevator, Mammen said.
The Sandy Springs city engineer said the sunroom could be constructed to the rear of the existing structure, according to the staff report.
After a motion to approve the variance failed, a motion to deny the variance was approved on a 4-3 vote.
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