Cobb County boards weigh property tax hike, SPLOST vote, and dozens of zoning cases
Cobb County residents are facing a packed stretch of government activity centered on money and land use. Four county bodies met between July 7 and July 15, 2026, but minutes have not yet been published for any of them, so no final decisions can be confirmed from the available records. The agendas show the Board of Commissioners moving toward a property tax increase and an FY2027 budget, the Board of Elections preparing to call a SPLOST referendum, and zoning boards reviewing more than two dozen land-use cases.
Property tax increase and FY2027 budget
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners held a first public hearing on July 14, 2026, on the 2026 proposed property tax increase as defined by Georgia law, alongside a first public hearing on the FY2027 proposed budget. Because minutes are not yet published, the outcome of those hearings is not recorded in the available materials. The consent and regular agendas for the same meeting included several action items: a "No Parking" zone along the west side of Atlanta Country Club Drive between Paper Mill Road and Winged Foot Circle; a Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement between Cobb County Police and the City of Marietta Police; and a contract for a new restroom building and renovation at Noonday Creek Park funded under the 2022 PARKS SPLOST. Whether these items were approved is not yet confirmed.
SPLOST referendum on the November ballot
The Board of Elections & Registration met July 13, 2026, with an agenda seeking approval to call a special election on November 3, 2026, for the Cobb County SPLOST Referendum. The board was also scheduled to discuss a policy for pre-certification review of precinct returns under SEB Rule 183-1-12-.12 (f). A proposed "I Voted" sticker design contest discussion was withdrawn from the agenda. No minutes are available, so the status of the special-election call is not confirmed.
Planning Commission zoning hearing
The Planning Commission held a zoning hearing July 7, 2026, covering five regular cases: Z-25-2026 Elite Engineering (District 1), Z-26-2026 Campus Realty Advisors (District 2), Z-28-2026 Connor Thorpe (District 4), LUP-14-2026 Steven Van Ginkel (District 4), and SLUP-7-2026 Campus Realty Advisors (District 2). The consent agenda included LUP-13-2026, a temporary land use permit for Rebecca Yan for cut flower growing and selling at 2796 County Line Road. Several other cases were continued to later hearings. Decisions are not yet recorded.
Board of Zoning Appeals variances
The Board of Zoning Appeals heard 20 variance requests on July 15, 2026. The consent agenda included 16 cases, all with staff recommendations for approval, plus two held cases and four regular agenda items. Notable requests included V-87, in which Alfredo Lopez Vera sought multiple variances for existing accessory structures including chicken coops, a shed, and a pool at 3279 Harris Rd.; V-91, in which AH Marietta LLC dba Alair Homes Marietta requested increased impervious coverage from 35% to 40% and reduced setbacks at 1688 Donna Lynn Dr.; V-100, in which V&V Custom Homes requested a waiver of the 40-foot undisturbed construction buffer at 3550 Davis Rd.; V-82, in which James O. Nalley sought to reduce an accessory structure setback to 1 foot at 3030 Bakers Meadow; and V-95, in which Farhad Banai requested a reduced front setback and garage placement variance at 390 Dogwood Trl. Outcomes are not yet available.
Coming up
- **July 21, 2026 — Millage Public Hearing:** The Board of Commissioners holds a second public hearing on the 2026 proposed property tax increase and a second hearing on the FY2027 proposed budget. No decisions are scheduled; the meetings are for public input.
- **July 21, 2026 — BOC Zoning Hearing, 9:00 AM:** Commissioners consider rezoning cases including Z-1-2026 for 895 Elnora Drive (District 3), Z-13-2026 for Hickory Grove Road (District 1), and Z-17-2026 for 1795 Old Canton Road, 1785 Old Canton Road, and 1788 Shelley Court (District 3), plus land-use permits and other business items.
All recent meeting records are agenda-only; minutes have not been published. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should consult the official county documents once minutes are posted.