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Home My WebLink AboutORD 6091 NEW SECTION 25-D COMP ZONING ORD Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME: 0 vol (narce. u cR ( DOCUMENT TYPE: rD vd/hCt nee YEAR: J c1Q 1 BOX NUMBER: 5 FILE NUMBER: ) '3 ~ 32- NUMBER OF PAGES: 4 " . . , < , . . \ , , , ORDINANCE NO. #JO<J/ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16,1997 (ORDINANCE NO. Sq 60 ) BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 25-D ENTITLED SRCP (SAVANNAH RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION) DISTRICT. The Augusta Commission hereby ordains: SECTION I: That the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is amended by a new Section 25-D entitled :;RCP (Savannah River Corridor Protection) District as follows: 25-D-l Statement of Intent The intent of the regulations within this Zoning District is to limit the use of the Savannah River Corridor, in conjunction with other governmental entities along the Savannah River Corridor, in order to: (a) Assure that the Savannah River in the City of Augusta will not become polluted and unsuitable as a source for potable water; (b) Protect the river corridor by establishing a natural vegetative buffer area bordering the river; (c) Preserve those qualities that make the river corridor suitable as a habitat for wildlife; (d) Help control erosion and to absorb flood waters; ( e) Protect and safeguard the health and welfare of all the citizens of the City of Augusta by providing protection of the section of the river that is or may be used as a source of drinking water. 25- D-2 :[)escription of District The limits of the Savannah River Corridor Protection (SRCP) lDistrict are hereby defined to be all areas within 100 feet horizontally of the river, measured from the river banlc This area shall remain in an undisturbed vegetative buffer. The 1 DO-foot buffer is measured from the uppermost part of the river bank, usually marked by a break in slope. Although not within the buffer area, the area between the top of the river bank and the water's edge shall be included in the SRCP district. Because these protective measures allow some latitude with land uses, and because the District is not intended to prescribe a specific land use but rather to define a range of acceptable land uses, the Savannah River Corridor Protection District is designed as an overlay district. Within the range of land uses which can be located within the District, this Section establishes performanc;e standards which apply to development within the District. The regulations of the underlying zoning district shall be maintained and not 1 \ ' , . ( , I affected, except in the event of conflict or discrepancy between the SRCP District and the underlying district, In that case, the more stringent requirements shall be observed. 25-D-3 Establishment and Maintenance of Natural ButTer Except as permitted under this section, all construction of buildings or structures is prohibited within the SCRP District, and the existing natural vegetative buffer within 100 feet of the river bank shall remain undisturbed. 25-D-4 Permitted Uses and Conditions The following uses are permitted, subject to certain conditions, within the one hundred-foot (100') buffer of the SRCP District. Any permitted use must also comply with the applicable regulations of the underlying zoning classification. (a) Single-family dwellings, including the usual accessory structures and appurtenances, are subject to the following conditions: 1. The dwelling shall be located on a tract of land containing at least two acres and meeting all other zoning regulations. 2. There shall be only one such dwelling on each two-acre or larger tract of land. 3. A septic tank or tanks serving such a dwelling may be located within the buffer area; however, septic tank drain fields shall not be located within the butTer area. (b) Industrial and commercial land uses existing prior to the adoption of the Savannah River Corridor Protection District, provided that: 1. Industrial and commercial uses shall not impair the drinking quality of the river water as defined by the Federal Clean Water Act, as amended; and 2. Industrial and commercial activity within the SRCP district shall meet all applicable State and Federal environmental rules and regulations. 3. Septic tanks and septic tank drain fields serving industrial and commercial uses are prohibited within the butTer area. (c) The construction of road crossings and utility crossings, provided that the construction of said crossings shall meet all requirements of the Augusta-Richmond County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance. (d) Agricultural production and management, subject to the following conditions: 1. Agricultural activity shall be consistent with best management practices established by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission; 2 \ : '. " . ", " \ I , , . . 2. Agricultural activity shall not impair the water quality of the river water as defined by the Georgia Clean Water Act; 3. Agricultural activity shall be consistent with all applicable State and Federal environmental regulations, and all regulations promulgated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. ( e) Timber production and harvesting, subject to the following conditions: 1. Forestry activity shall be consistent with best management practices established by the Georgia Forestry Commission; 2. Forestry activity shall not impair the drinking water quality of the river water as defined by the Georgia Clean Water Act. (f) Wildlife and fisheries management activities consistent with the purposes of O.C.G.A.12-2-8. (g) Wastewater treatment facilities. (h) Natural water quality treatment or purification facilities, (i) Recreational uses consistent either with the maintenance of a natural vegetative buffer or with river-dependent recreation. For example, paths, walkways, boat ramps would be consistent with this criteria, but parking lots and hard-surface tennis court would not. G) Other uses as permitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or under Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act. 25-D-5 :Prohibited Uses The following uses are prohibited within the one hundred-foot (100') buffer of the SRCP District: (a) Handling areas for the receiving and storage of hazardous wastes; (b) Disposal facilities for hazardous or solid wastes; and ( c) All construction activities within the buffer area, except as provided for in Section 25-0-6 (Exempt Uses) 25-D-6 ]~xempt Uses The following uses are exempt from the one hundred-foot (100') buffer requirements of the SRcP District: (a) Land uses existing prior to the adoption of the Savannah River Corridor Protection District; (b) Mining activities, if permitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and 3 ~ ~,' .. . .. ". "" ,l ~ .'" . . '. !, '"" (c) Utilities, if such utilities cannot feasibly be located outside the buffer area, as determined by the local government, provided that: 1. The utilities shall be located as far from the river bank as reasonably possible; 2. Installation and maintenance of the utilities shall be such as to protect the integrity of the buffer area to the extent reasonably possible; 3. The natural vegetative buffer shall be restored as quickly as possible following any construction utility construction; 4. Utilities shall not impair the drinking quality of the river water. SECTION II: All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Duly adopted thereof this 2Q. day of tf~/;d ,1998. Attest: ~1i~kV First Reading October 6, 1998 Second Reading October 20, 1998 4