HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 6163 AMEND SITE PLAN REGULATIONS
Augusta Richmond GA
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ORDINANCE NO. 6163
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A resolution by the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission recommending
that the Site Plan Regulations be amended as follows:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SITE PLAN REGULATIONS OF
AUGUSTA GEORGIA, ADOPTED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND
COUNTY COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 20, 1998 IN THEIR
ENTIRETY PURSUANT TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SECTION 1. That the Ordinance regulating the site plans is amended by deleting
the current language in its entirety; and
SECTION II. That the Ordinance regulating the Site Plans in Augusta, Georgia is
amended by adding entirely new language which was developed through a
lengthy process involving Augusta-Richmond County Departments, local
consultant engineers, and the development community. The proposed language is
included as Attachment A to this Ordinance.
SECTION II1. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances In conflict with this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Done in Open Meeting under the Common Seal thereof this 1 Rth day of
May
,1999.
&v
Mayor
ATTEST:
This petition was published in the Augusta Chronicle, Friday, April 16, 1999, by the
Planning Commission for public hearing on Monday, May 3, 1999.
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SITE PLAN REGULATIONS
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
Adopted IV I;). 0 I q 6
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SITE PLAN REGULATIONS FOR
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
AN ORDINANCE regulating the development of land in Augusta, Georgia; reqUlrmg and
regulating the preparation and presentation of plans for such purpose; establishing minimum
design standards; requiring minimum improvements to be made or guaranteed to be made by the
developer; setting forth the procedure to be followed by the Planning Commission in applying
these rules, regulations, and standards; and prescribing penalties for the violation of these rules,
regulations, and standards; and for other purposes.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission, Augusta, Georgia, that:
WHEREAS, the Augusta-Richmond County Commission was authorized by the Home Rule
Provision of the Constitution of the State of Georgia of 1983 to: Establish planning
commissions; provide for the preparation and amendment of overall plans for the orderly growth
and development of municipal ties and counties; provide for the regulations of structures on
mapped streets, public building sites, and public open spaces; repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, created and organized under the tenns of the
aforementioned Home Rule Provision, has made a study and analysis of the areas of Augusta and
the said study and analysis now are complete and site plan regulations for the purposes described
in the title of this Ordinance are now ready for adoption; and
WHEREAS, the Augusta-Richmond County Commission has held a public hearing on the
proposed Site Plan Regulations in compliance with Local Ordinances.
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission as follows:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I General
Section 1.00 Short Title 1
Section 1.01 Content and Purpose 1
Section 1.02 Application 2
Section 1.03 Exemption 2
ARTICLE II Procedures for Approval of Site Plans
Section 2.00 Staff Conference/Sketch Plan 3
Se9tion 2.01 Staged Approval for Site Plans 3
Section 2.02 Approval Process for Site Plans 3
ARTICLE III Data to be Submitted, Design Guidelines
and Inspections
Section 3.00 Size and Scale of Drawings 5
Section 3.01 Information to be Included 5
Section 3.02 Utility, Drainage, and Street Improvements 7
Section 3.03 Zoning Standards 7
Section 3.04 Design Guidelines 7
Section 3.05 Inspections 8
ARTICLE IV Miscellaneous
Section 4.00 Hardships and Variances 9
Section 4.01 Penalty 9
Section 4.02 Amendments 9
Section 4.03 Separability 9
Section 4.04 Effective Date 9
ARTICLE I
General
Section 100. Short Title. These regulations shall be known as the "Site Plan Regulations for
Augusta, Georgia".
Section 101. Content and Purpose. These regulations require and regulate the preparation of
site plans, establish minimum design standards for site development, set forth the
procedures to be followed in applying these regulations, provide penalties for violation
of these regulations, and set forth other matters pertaining to the development of land.
The Site Plan Regulations are adopted for the following purposes, and for other purposes:
A. To encourage the development of an economically sound stable community, so as
to help conserve and protect the natural, economic, and scenic resources of
Augusta, Georgia;
B. To protect Augusta, Georgia from the potential negative impacts of converting
land from its natural state to urban land uses;
C. To assure safe and convenient traffic access and circulation, and to minimize the
impact of land development on traffic safety and congestion;
D. To assure that all buildings and other construction within the scope of these
regulations is provided with adequate fire protection and is accessible by all types
of emergency vehicles;
E. To assure that the aesthetic qualities of the community are not degraded by the
development of land.
F. To encourage the wise development of the community in hannony with the
Comprehensive Plan.
Section 102. Application. Within the jurisdiction of Augusta, Georgia, except as herein
provided, a building permit under the provisions of the building code of Augusta,
Georgia for the purpose of constructing or expanding a structure that is not a single
family house or related thereto shall only be issued upon the presentation of a site plan
that has been approved by the staff of the Augusta-Richmond County Planning
Commission (Planning Commission). Such site plan shall be drawn to scale, showing
accurately the dimensions and location of the following: property lines, easements,
utilities, structures, signs, off-street parking, driveways, retention facilities and any other
information that may be necessary to the administration and/or enforcement ofthe
ordinance. Such site plan shall be submitted to the staff to all departments of Augusta
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and other entities that are deemed appropriate and they shall review and approve said site
plan before it is approved by the staff of the Planning Commission.
Section 103. Exemptions. The Executive Director of the Planning Commission may exempt
certain types of development from the provisions of these regulations or parts thereof if,
in his opinion, there is little or no likelihood that adverse impacts could result from the
proposed development. The Executive Director may request such information as he
deems necessary to support such a proposal. Development that may be so exempted shall
include the following:
· construction of small buildings or additions to existing buildings less than lOOO
square feet in area;
· construction of parking areas containing less than five parking spaces or
unpaved parking areas that do not provided required parking;
· signs;
· single, or individual duplex residential structures
· temporary location of manufactured buildings for use as offices, showrooms,
etc. with a maximum time limit of six months;
· construction on land owned by the United State of America or the State of
Georgia;
· development that is similar to any of the above.
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ARTICLE II
Procedures for Approval of Site Plans
Section 200. Staff Conference/Sketch Plan. Although it is not required, an owner, developer,
or contractor (applicant) may request a staff discussion regarding a proposed project, or
he may submit a sketch plan. A sketch plan may provide whatever level of detail the
applicant feels appropriate, and he may discuss it with the staff of the Planning
Commission in order to obtain a better understanding of how the ordinances and
regulations would apply to his proposal. A staff conference shall be scheduled by the
staff within five working days of receiving a request. Sketch plans shall serve as a
subject for discussion only, and they shall not be approved, denied, corrected, or
otherwise acted upon.
Section 201. Staged Approval for Site Plans. If a proposal is to develop only a portion of a site
or a large tract initially, the site plan submitted for approval shall be accompanied by a
conceptual plan for the remainder of the site. The conceptual plan shall show at a
minimum the proposed circulation pattern, contours, buildings, and drainage plan. The
Executive Director may waive this requirement upon a finding that such a complete
layout is impractical and not necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of these
regulations. If a site is proposed to be developed in sections as noted above, then each
section must stand on its own merit. All retention, parking, and ingress/egress facilities
needed to adequately serve a specific section shall be constructed as part of the section
that is submitted for approval.
Section 202. Approval Process for Site Plans. The following step by step procedure for
approval of a site plan shall be followed:
A. Written application for approval of a site plan shall be made in the office of the
Planning Commission. This application shall be made on forms provided for this
purpose and it shall include whatever assurances, disclosures, and other
information that are required by the staff prior to acceptance of an application.
The application shall include the appropriate number of copies of the site plan,
prepared and certified by a civil engineer, or architect, drawn to the specifications
found in Article III of this document. The application shall also be accompanied
by a check in the amount of the fee adopted by the Planning Commission.
B. The Planning Commission shall have thirty (30) days within which to make a
decision on an application that was accepted by the staff as a complete
application. The staff may reject an application if it is deemed to be incomplete.
Such decision may be to approve, approve with conditions, approve in part, deny,
request additional infonnation, or to require corrections. In situations where a
decision of the Planning Commission results in a site plan being resubmitted, the
Planning Commission shall have thirty (30) additional days to act on the
resubmitted site plan, beginning on the date of resubmission. The thirty (30) day
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period shall not apply if the applicant files a letter agreeing to such with the
Planning Commission. The action of the Planning Commission shall be
expressed in writing, a copy of which shall be provided to the applicant.
D. Approval of a site plan shall be valid for two years from the date of approval, after
which a new site plan must be submitted per Section 202 of these regulations.
The Executive Director may exempt an applicant from certain provisions of these
regulations if some development of the site has occurred, the applicable rules are
essentially unchanged from the time of approval, and no more than four years
have passed since the initial approvaL
E. An architect or civil engineer shall produce, certify, and submit 17 complete
sets and one cover sheet of the site plan to the Planning Commission at the time of
application. Upon acceptance of the application, the Planning Commission staff
shall forward for review such copies as follows:
1. Three (3) copies shall be filed with Public Works Department.
2. Two (2) copies shall be filed with the Utilities Department if the
subdivision is to be served with public water and/or sewer.
3. One (1) copy shall be filed with the Traffic Engineer.
4. One (1) copy shall be filed with the Fire Department.
5. One (1) copy shall be filed with the Soil Conservation Department.
6. One (1) copy shall be filed with the Board of Health.
7. One (1) copy of sheet number one (1) shall be filed with the Georgia
Power Company or Jefferson Electric, whichever is applicable.
8. One (1) copy of sheet number one (1) shall be filed with the Atlanta Gas
Light Company.
9. One (1) copy of sheet number one (1) shall be filed with Southern Bell
Telephone and Telegraph Company.
10. One (1) copy shall be retained by the Planning Commission.
11. Two (2) copies shall be returned to the applicant after hearing by
the Planning Commission and shall be stamped in accordance with
the approval of the Planning Commission.
12. Two (2) copies shall be filed with the Trees and Landscape Department.
F. Reports shall be submitted to the Planning Commission by all departments and
agencies to which site plans are directed, and such reports shall become part of the
findings of the Planning Commission.
G. All requests for site plan approval shall be accompanied by a one (1) year
maintenance agreement and deed(s) of dedication for all streets, land, easements,
storm drainage, sanitary sewer systems and water systems conveying the same to
Augusta, Georgia The form of these documents shall be approved by the city
attorney. These documents shall be fully executed by the grantor with the date
blank to be filled in by the governing body with the date of acceptance of the
deeds of dedication. Acceptance of streets and other improvements shall be
accompanied by executing the deeds of dedication.
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ARTICLE III
Data to be Submitted, Design Guidelines, and Inspections
Section 300. Size and Scale of Drawings. Site plans shall be drawn to scale no smaller than
one inch equals 1 00 feet. Where large sites are being planned, they may be drawn on one
or more sheets. No drawing shall exceed 36 inches by 48 inches in size.
Section 301. Information to be Included. The following information shall be included on each
site plan.
-Name of development, type of business, building square footage and parking
required and provided.
-Owner (name, address, and telephone number).
-Developer (name, address and telephone number).
-Date of survey, date plan drawn, and revision dates as applicable.
-Seal and signature of registered engineer.
-North arrow with reference.
-Scale (no less than I" = 100')
-Tax parcel number
- Zoning classification
-Use and zoning of all adjacent parcels
- Location of proposed business signage
- Existing and proposed elevations referenced to mean sea level, with a contour
interval of 2 feet, accurate to one-half contour to indicate surface drainage
patterns.
-Source of datum (benchmark used: GS benchmark, if available), and location of
BM or IBM at the site.
- Existing and proposed pavement width and right-of-way width of any existing
streets adjacent to the development and distances to nearest intersection.
· Acreage of property and acreage of area to be developed.
- Location sketch (scale no less than I" = 2000 ').
- All boundaries heavily lined with bearings and distances shown, accurate
reference to Augusta and/or geodetic control points which are defined by state
plane coordinates unless the sum of the length of the lines constituting the
boundary of the site is greater than the traverse distance along public roads to
such control. If such reference is not furnished, then a locator tie, defmed as a
bearing and distance tie from a property comer to a point that can be accurately
spotted on the ortho photo maps shall be furnished.
- Plan and profile of storm sewers on a scale of no less than I" = 100'
horizontally, 1" = I 0' vertically. Elevation based on mean sea level.
- Detail plan of all entrances, driveways, roadways, etc., that connect to existing
county roads. (Connections to State Highways will require permits from
Georgia Department of Transportation.)
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-Minimum Building lines (front, side and rear), existing easements and proposed
easements shown.
- Acreage of all on-site and off-site drainage areas contributing to flow thru the
project.
-Storm water management plan.
-Heavy outline of 100 year flood plain and note thereof. Any disturbances within
flood plain limits must comply with county flood ordinance. If the property is
not in a 100 year floodplain then write a note stating that.
-Finished floor elevation of buildings a minimum of2.0 feet above established
100 year flood elevation.
-Sanitary sewers and manholes.
-Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan required for any site over 1.1 acres. It is
recommended for all sites.
-Potable water distribution system plan.
- A note to the effect that "all drainage easements and disturbed areas must be
grassed and/or rip-rapped as required to control erosion."
- A note to the effect that "all construction must conform to Augusta, Georgia
Standards."
- A note to the effect that "all silt barriers must be placed immediately following
clearing". No grading shall be done until silt barriers installation in completed."
-Note on drawings: "Contractor shall contact the Inspection Division of the
Public Works Department at least 48 hours prior to starting work on the project."
- A statement of the following: "The plan submitted complies with the rules,
standards, and regulations of Augusta, Georgia to the best of my knowledge.
Prior to final approval, I (owner) will submit a statement prepared and signed by
a registered engineer certifying that the site improvements are complete and in
accordance with the approved plans and specifications to the best of my
knowledge, information and belief. This certification will be based on periodic
observation of construction and a final inspection for design compliance by the
engineer or a representative who is under his supervision. I understand that a
certificate of occupancy will not be issued by the City of Augusta until such final
certification has been made." (The [mal certification shall also be signed by the
Department of Public Works.
-The location of known grave sites and cemeteries located on the property. If
grave sites or cemeteries are discovered during construction, information must
be submitted to the Planning Commission immediately.
-The location of stop signs (and other traffic control devices as required by the
Traffic Engineer) including a statement to the effect that "the developer shall be
responsible for the initial installation of the sign."
- Fence or Indemnity Form is required for all detention or retention areas which
are not wholly contained in a parking lot.
- Provide at least one copy of pipe sizing, detention/retention sizing and other
calculations required for review of this plan.
-Landscape plan and summary sheet.
-Hydrology studies for both Public Works and Soil Conservation (2 sets).
- Each individual water service line shall be protected by a minimum
double-check backflow device O.
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- Location,dirnensions and area of all impervious surfaces, both existing and
proposed, on the site.
-The orientation and distance from the boundaries of the propsoed site to the
nearest bank of an affected perennial stream or water body.
-Location and detailed design of any spill and leak collection systems designed
for the purpose of containing accidentally released hazardous or toxic materials.
-Calculations of the amount of cut and fill proposed and cross-sectional drawings
showing existing and proposed grades in areas of fill or excavation. Elevations,
horizontal scale and vertical scale must be shown on cross-sectional drawings.
- A delineation of any wetland areas that are subject to permitting by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977.
Evidence that proper permits have been granted by the Corps shall be required
before a site plan may be approved. National Wetland Inventory maps are
available at the office of the Planning Commission to assist in making this
determination.
Section 302. Utility. Drainage. and Street Improvements.
A. Utility, drainage, and street improvements shall be designed and constructed to
conform to standards set forth in this document and in the other documents listed
in Section 304.
B. If a site plan includes street or road improvements, then it shall also be considered
administratively as a subdivision of land and the procedures set forth in the
Subdivision Regulations shall also apply.
C. The governmental water supply shall be utilized where governmental water
supply is available within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property, unless it is
economically unfeasible to do so.
D. The site plan shall provide for connecting to the governmental sanitary sewerage
system where a governmental sanitary sewerage system is available within five
hundred (500) feet of the nearest point of the project unless it can be demonstrated
to the Board of Health that it is economically unfeasible to do so.
E. The governing body shall not be responsible for any internal drainage or required
drainage connections to publicly maintained drainage facilities, streams, or other
outlets having constant flow. The governing body shall not be responsible for
off-site acquisition of drainage or utility easements. This does not imply that the
developer will be responsible for the maintenance of these facilities if they are
subsequently deeded to Augusta, Georgia.
Section 303. Zoning Standards. A site plan shall identify the proposed land use and use of
each specific building and other structures. The site plan shall conform to all provisions
of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance as to land use, parking, setbacks, fences,
buffers, signs, driveways and other features regulated by the Zoning Ordinance.
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Section 304. Design Guidelines. Design guidelines and construction standards are provided by
the following documents:
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Regulations
Stormwater Management Plan, Technical Manual
Street and Road Design Technical Manual
Traffic Engineering
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Soil and Sediment Control Ordinance
Grading Ordinance
Tree Ordinance
Other design guidelines and ordinances that may be subsequently adopted
by Augusta, Georgia
Section 305. Inspection. After a site plan has been approved, periodic inspection shall be made
by the Planning Commission, the Department of Public Works, the Richmond County
Health Department, and other departments and agencies of Augusta, Georgia. The
purpose of these inspection shall be to assure that construction is consistent with the site
plan. Any variation from an approved site plan must be approved by the Planning
Commission.
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ARTICLE IV
Miscellaneous
Section 400. Hardships and Variances. Variances to certain provisions of this Ordinance may
be granted on the basis of hardship. Variances to the procedures set forth may be granted
by the Planning Commission upon a finding that such variance would not adversely
affect public health, safety and welfare, and that failure to grant such variance would
result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant. Variances to design standards, technical
specifications, and construction materials shall be considered by the Department of Public
Works under the same hardship standards.
Section 401. Penalty. Any person or corporation whether as principal, agent, employee, or
otherwise who violates any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of an offense and
upon conviction shall be punished by a fme of an amount not to exceed five hundred
dollars ($500) and/or imprisonment for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days.
Section 402. Amendments. Amendments to these regulations shall be proposed by the
Planning Commission or shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval
before being adopted by the Augusta Commission.
The City of Augusta, Georgia, may adopt amendments to these regulations, providing
that a public hearing thereon shall first be held by the Planning Commission, public
notice of which hearing shall be given at least fifteen (15) days prior to such hearing.
Section 403. Separability. Any clause or provision of these regulations declared invalid by any
court having jurisdiction shall not affect the validity of the regulations as a whole or any
other part thereof.
ORDINANCE NO.
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AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 8 OF THE AUGUSTA-
RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SO AS TO ADD A NEW
CHAPTER 8 ENTITLED "SITE PLAN REGULATIONS"; TO
PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION
AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAME AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Augusta-Richmond County Code, Title 8,
is hereby amended by adding a new Chapter 8 as follows:
CHAPTER 8
SITE PLAN REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1
IN GENERAL
5 8-8-1. INCORPORATION OF SITE PLAN REGULATIONS.
The Site Plan Regulations for Augusta, Georgia, as
adopted on October 20, 1998, are included as an Appendix to this
Code and are hereby incorporated in this section as if set out in
full herein.
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon
adoption.
Sect ion 3.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in
conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Duly adopted this (p day of 6r~~~
~ day of ~~~ , 1998.
1998 and this
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