Language to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and data centers is being proposed as part of upcoming code amendment changes in the Cobb County Code.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners will be holding public hearings in October to consider those code amendment changes, and three hearings have been scheduled.
The first of those hearings, on Oct. 6, concerns zoning only, and those proposed code amendments are focused on those two controversial topics.
Cobb government posted the hearing dates and proposed code amendments late last week. and the zoning code amendment proposals (Section 134) can be found by clicking here.
Cobb withdrew code changes to allow ADUs in late 2024 after citizen protests, but the language in the proposed code amendments isn’t much different.
The new proposal (see page 5 at the link just above) calls for allowing ADUs in the back of residential properties of up to 850 square feet, or 50 percent of the square footage of that property’s main dwelling unit.
The ADUs would be limited to a single story and must be connected to the utility meter of the main building, and at least one off-street parking space must be provided.
ADUs also could not be used as short-term rental properties and the property owner must reside there.
The ADUs were proposed by Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid to address housing affordability issues, but Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb was among those voicing strong opposition.
The East Cobb Civic Association also was opposed, echoing concerns that the single-family nature of many areas of the county would be dramatically altered with ADUs.
Cobb is under a moratorium for considering data centers until February, as county staff have been preparing language to include in the code for the first time.
The code amendments to be considered (pages 5-7) would require that data centers use power generated off-site, with a miimum lot size of 5 acres and a maximum size of 30 acres.
Data centers also would have to meet certain noise regulations, including for cooling systems and backup generators, and other restrictions would include site lighting and building height.
The proposal also would require data centers to use a “closed loop” water cooling system, “with no cooling water discharged into the county wastewater system, except for routine maintenance.
In August, the Marietta City Council approved a data center off Delk Road near Interstate 75 but is under a moratorium through the end of the year as it drafts code amendments to govern future requests.
The zoning code amendments hearing is Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 9 a.m. The other hearings will take place on Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. and Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., with votes on code amendments also scheduled for Oct. 27.
Related stories:
- Eastside Church rezoning rejected by Planning Commission
- Eastside Church rezoning opponents blast senior-living plans
- The last Sprayberry Crossing eyesore to be demolished
- Marietta City Council approves data center off Delk Road
- Eastside Church senior-living request held again
- Marietta OKs fitness center for ex-Kroger site on Powers Ferry
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