The Planning Commission's recommendation of approval then went to the Stephens County Board of Commissioners, which approved the variance unanimously on April 28, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Simmons.
Stephens County approves front-yard variance for carport at 1387 Dortch Road
The county has cleared the way for a homeowner to place an accessory structure closer to the street than zoning normally allows.
At a glance
What this means now
The story
Robert Bernstein asked Stephens County for a variance to place an accessory structure, a carport, in the front yard of his 1.09-acre property at 1387 Dortch Road in Toccoa, which does not normally meet front-yard setback rules.
The Stephens County Planning Commission approved the variance unanimously on April 7, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Randal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Ivester.
The Planning Commission's recommendation of approval then went to the Stephens County Board of Commissioners, which approved the variance unanimously on April 28, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Simmons.
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
Appeared on agendaproposedVariance request for Robert Bernstein at 1387 Dortch Road to allow an accessory structure (carport) in the front yard
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested variance to allow placement of an
accessory structure within the required front yard
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Variance request for Robert Bernstein at 1387 Dortch Road to allow an accessory structure (carport) in the front yard
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested variance to allow placement of an accessory structure within the required front yard
Appeared on agendaproposedVariance request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, to allow an accessory structure in the front yard
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
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Variance request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, to allow an accessory structure in the front yard
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
ApprovedconfirmedVariance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa, Parcel 054A 080, for accessory structure in front yard
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
Motion to approve: Commissioner Simmons
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Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa, Parcel 054A 080, for accessory structure in front yard
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080. Motion to approve: Commissioner Simmons
Appeared on agendaproposedVariance request for accessory structure (carport) in front yard at 1387 Dortch Road
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested variance to allow placement of an
accessory structure within the required front yard
+
Variance request for accessory structure (carport) in front yard at 1387 Dortch Road
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested variance to allow placement of an accessory structure within the required front yard
ApprovedunknownVariance request from Robert Bernstein to allow an accessory structure in the front yard, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
Motion to approve: Commissioner Simmons
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Variance request from Robert Bernstein to allow an accessory structure in the front yard, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa
Variance Request from Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080. Motion to approve: Commissioner Simmons
ApprovedconfirmedVariance for accessory structure in front yard - Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa
Variance Request Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
Proposal: Variance to allow for placement of an accessory structure in the front yard
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Variance for accessory structure in front yard - Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa
Variance Request Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080. Proposal: Variance to allow for placement of an accessory structure in the front yard
ApprovedunknownVariance for Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, to allow an accessory structure in the front yard
Motion to Approve: Commissioner Randal
Second: Vice-Chairman Ivester
Discussion: No discussion
Vote: Unanimous
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Variance for Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, to allow an accessory structure in the front yard
Motion to Approve: Commissioner Randal Second: Vice-Chairman Ivester Discussion: No discussion Vote: Unanimous
Appeared on agendaproposedVariance for accessory structure in front yard - Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road
Variance Request Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
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Variance for accessory structure in front yard - Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road
Variance Request Robert Bernstein, 1387 Dortch Road, Toccoa. Parcel 054A 080.
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