Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission serves as a technical review committee for planning issues that are then passed along to City Council for action. The City of Suwanee Planning and Zoning Commission:

• hears all planning and zoning matters, including all rezoning and special use permit requests
• makes recommendations to City Council regarding rezoning and special use permit requests
• serves as an ad hoc committee that studies, researches, and presents recommendations to City Council on a variety of development issues, such as buffer, landscape, and tree requirements for developers; telecommunications tower regulations; and guidelines for extended-stay hotels
• conducts architectural reviews when necessary

Meeting Schedule
The Planning and Zoning Commission typically meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 373 Buford Highway. City Council meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at City Hall, with public hearings on zoning-related issues beginning at 6:30 pm.

Rezoning and Special Use Permit Requests
Rezoning and special use permit requests generally must be received at City Hall by 5 p.m. the first Friday of the month preceding the Planning and Zoning meeting at which it will appear on the agenda. The request also is included on the City Council meeting agenda for the same month, two weeks following the Planning and Zoning meeting. The rezoning request will be advertised by the City on two Thursdays during the four weeks preceding the City Council meeting. The fee for rezoning requests varies depending upon proposed development type and size.

Planning and Zoning Commission Members
Pete Charpentier
Anthony Manners
Earl Mitchell
Joy Mitchell
Jodi Nevels

For more information about the Planning and Zoning Commission or to make a rezoning or special use permit request, contact Planning Division Director Matthew Dickison at City Hall, 770/945-6583 or via e-mail at mdickison@suwanee.com.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The City of Suwanee Zoning Board of Appeals considers and rules on all variance requests submitted to the City. A variance request is needed when a developer or property owner desires to do something not ordinarily allowed by the City’s zoning ordinances or when the City's zoning ordinances create a hardship. Decisions of the Appeals Board are not subject to the review of City Council and can only be appealed to Gwinnett County Superior Court.

Meeting Schedule
The Zoning Board of Appeals typically meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 373 Buford Highway. 2009 Zoning Board of Appeals schedule.

Variance, Appeals Request Process
Requests for variances generally must be received at City Hall by 5 p.m. the third or fourth Friday of the month preceding the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on which it will appear on the agenda. Contact Matt Dickison for a submittal schedule.

Requests for variances will be advertised by the City on two Thursdays during the four weeks preceding the Appeals Board meeting. The fee for variances is $200.

Zoning Board of Appeals Members
Tucker Balch
Herb Godfrey
Paula Hill
Winship Rees
Bill Thee

For more information about the Zoning Board of Appeals or to make a variance request, contact Planning Division Director Matthew Dickison at City Hall, 770/945-6583 or via e-mail at mdickison@suwanee.com.