Waffle House Proposal Moves Forward in Woodstock

Woodstock, GA -- The Woodstock Planning Commission has recommended approval of several variances needed to accommodate a Waffle House restaurant in the central business district.

Commissioners at its Thursday meeting rolled out a slew of conditions for its recommendation, which will be taken up later this month by City Council members.

The .05-acre property, owned by Paul and Carolyn Wentzel and currently home to Hot Dog Heaven, is located at 8558 Main Street -- at the northwest corner of Main Street and Towne Lake Parkway.

Waffle House is seeking variances from architectural, open space, parking and streetscape standards.

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Commissioners rejected a variance from the city's parking standards, and instructed Waffle House to contribute towards a downtown parking fund to mitigate the negative impact of existing inventory or develop a long-term agreement that would provide for at least 12 new spaces not included in the city's public parking inventory.

The body approved a variance related to brick color choices, which should mimic "historical brick style with the use of brick that is aged in appearance and contrasting mortar," city staff said.

Commissioners also imposed other stipulations such as providing a bicycle rack to the city for installation on property adjacent to the subject land; enclosing the exterior cooler and mop sink area on the back of the building by a wall of the same height and design as the rest of the structure; enclosing the dumpster with the same material as the building; and installing a five-foot wide sidewalk leading from the entrance of the building to the eight-foot sidewalk on Towne Lake Parkway.

The company would be prohibited from placing window stickers, signs or decals on any window on the building and loading or unloading on Main Street or Towne Lake Parkway.

Waffle House's plans call for demolishing Hot Dog Heaven, but also anticipates the city of Woodstock also tearing down the building to the south of the property, which shares a wall with Hot Dog Heaven. That demolition would be needed so Woodstock can move forward with plans to improve Towne Lake Parkway.

Residents and stakeholders opposing the proposal have started a petition urging the city to reject plans for the restaurant. As of early Friday afternoon, that petition has received 1,072 supporters.

The case will be heard by the Woodstock City Council at its July 25 meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. at the Chambers at City Center.

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Rendering via TSW/Waffle House