HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 6168 AMEND ARC CITY CODE SITE PLAN REGULATIONS
Augusta Richmond GA
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ORDINANCE NO. 616g
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 8 OF THE
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE SO AS TO
AMEND CHAPTER 8 ENTITLED "SITE PLAN
REGULATIONS" TO INCORPORATE THE SITE PLAN
REGULA TIONS ADOPTED ON JUNE 1, 1999; TO REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; TO PROVIDE AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; 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, S 8-8-1 is hereby
amended by deleting said paragraph in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
~ 8-8-1.
INCORPORA TION OF SITE PLAN REGULATIONS.
The Site Plan Regulations for Augusta, Georgia, as adopted on
June 1, 1999, and as attached hereto, are included as an Appendix to this Code
and are hereby incorporated into this section as if set out in full herein.
Section 2.
This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
Section 3.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this
Duly adopted this 18thdayof May
Mayor
ordinance are hereby repealed.
ATTEST:IM~pV
1st Reading May 18, 1999
2nd reading June 1, 1999
SITE PLAN REGULATIONS FOR
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
AN ORDINANCE regulating the development of land in Augusta, Georgia; requlflng 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 municipalities 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 terms 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:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.00
Section 1.01
Section 1.02
Section 1.03
ARTICLE II
T ABLE OF CONTENTS
General
Short Title
Content and Purpose
Application
Exemption
Procedures for Approval of Site Plans
Section 2.00 Staff Conference/Sketch Plan
Section 2.01 Staged Approval for Site Plans
Section 2.02 Approval Process for Site Plans
ARTICLE III
Section 3.00
Section 3.01
Section 3.02
Section 3.03
Section 3.04
Section 3.05
ARTICLE IV
Section 4.00
Section 4.01
Section 4.02
Section 4.03
Data to be Submitted, Design Guidelines
and Inspections
Size and Scale of Drawings
Information to be Included
Utility, Drainage, and Street Improvements
Zoning Standards
Design Guidelines
Inspections
Miscellaneous
Hardships and Variances
Penalty
Amendments
Severability
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ARTICLE I
General
Section 100. Short Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the "Site Plan Regulations for
Augusta, Georgia". It is included by reference in the Augusta-Richmond County Code at
Title 8, Chapter 8.
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 are provided with adequate fire protection and are 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 harmony 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 Augusta-Richmond County Code,
Title 7, Article 5, 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, detention/retention facilities and
any other information that may be necessary to the administration and/or enforcement of
the Ordinance. Such Site Plan shall be submitted to the Staff of all applicable
departments of Augusta, Georgia 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 one
thousand (1000) square feet in area;
· construction of parking areas containing less than five parking spaces or
unpaved parking areas that do not provide 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 States 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 20 I. 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, and it shall also include an executed
"indemnity" form regarding retention basins. The application shall 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,
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request additional information, 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 ofresubmission. The thirty (30) day
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 fourteen (14)
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. Three (3) copies shall be filed with the Utilities Department if the
subdivision is to be served with public water and/or sewer.
3. One (I) 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 Service.
6. One (1) copy shall be filed with the Board of Health.
7. One (1) copy shall be retained by the Planning Commission.
8. 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.
9. One (1) copy 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 an 18 months
warranty agreement and deed(s) of dedication for all streets, land, easements,
storm drainage, sanitary sewer systems and water systems that are to be conveyed
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 Commission 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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H. A pre-construction conference may be required by the City Engineer at his
discretion. A notation on the Site Plan will be made to that effect when such a
conference is required. Construction pursuant to the Site Plan shall not
commence until the conference has been held.
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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 100 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 parking 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 a registered engineer.
-North arrow with reference.
-Scale (no less than 1" = 100')
-Tax parcel number
- Zoning classification
-Use and zoning of all adjacent parcels with owner(s) name(s)
- 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 ofBM or
TBM 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 1" = 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, defined 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" = 1 00' horizontally, 1" =
10' 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 through 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 the City Flood Ordinance. If the property is not in a 100
year flood plain then write a note stating that.
-Finished floor elevation of buildings a minimum of2.0 feet above established
100 year flood elevation, if applicable.
-Sanitary sewers and manholes.
-Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan required for any site over 1.1 acres. A
statement from local Tax Official that ad valorem taxes owed and due have been paid is
required. A SESC Plan Review Checklist is required. A Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control Plan 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 within Augusta rights-of-way shall conform
to Augusta, Georgia Standards and Specifications."
- 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: "I am the owner of the property affected by this
Subdivision Development Plan. Prior to approval of the Final Plat, I will submit a
notarized statement as follows: 'I certify that the site improvements are complete and in
accordance with the approved plans and specifications.' This certification will be based
on observations of and supervision of construction by my representative or me. I
understand that the Certificate of Occupancy will not be approved until this certification
has been made."
-The location of known gravesites and cemeteries located on the property. If grave sites
or cemeteries are discovered during construction, information must be submitted to the
Planning Commission immediately (See O.c.G.A. 936-72-1 et seq.).
-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 signs."
-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 Service, as applicable.
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-Each individual water service line shall be protected by a minimum double-check back
flow device.
- A note to the effect that "Approval by Augusta, Georgia is for the improvements shown
in the Site Plan. Any variation from the approved Site Plan must be approved by the City
Engineer. "
-For any Site Plan that includes wetlands shown on the National Wetlands Inventory
Maps or subject to permitting by the US Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act of 1977, the following must be submitted:
- Location, dimensions and area of all impervious surfaces, both existing and
proposed, on the site.
-The orientation and distance from the boundaries of the proposed site to the
nearest bank of an affected perennial stream or water body.
- A delineation of any wetland areas shown on the N ational Wetlands Inventory
Maps as 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.
-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.
-Location and detailed design of any spill and leak collection systems designed
for the purpose of containing accidentally released hazardous or toxic materials
- A 24 hour local contact person.
- A descriptive note providing the following information:
Outfall(s) Information - Location, size and shape
Land Use - Commercial, Industrial, Residential, etc.
Acreage of on-site and off-site drainage areas contributing to discharge
from development
Acreage of Impervious Drainage Area
Name of Receiving Drainage Basin
. A descriptive note describing any permanent or temporary Best Management
Practices (BMP's) used to impact or target Water Quality.
· A descriptive note as follows: "The cost of inspection by the City of Augusta-
Richmond County's Department of Public Works and Engineering, before or after
regular working hours, on Saturdays, Sundays or Legal Holidays, shall be paid for by
the individual requesting the inspection at a rate of 1 'l2 times the regular salary per
hour of the inspector plus 7.65%from the employer's FICAlMedicare match.
Approval for the inspection outside of normal working hours shall be obtained from
the County Engineer 48-hours in advance. Prior to the commencement of work
requiring inspection outside of normal working hours, the individual requesting the
inspection shall sign a form which is furnished by the Department of Public Works
and Engineering agreeing to pay the overtime. The individual requesting the
inspection shall sign a form which is furnished by the Department of Public Works
and Engineering agreeing to pay the overtime. The individual requesting the
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inspection will be billed by the Department of Public Works and Engineering for
payment. "
· A general note as follows: "A preconstruction conference shall be held with the City
Engineer or his designated representative prior to beginning construction. This
meeting shall be scheduled with the Department of Public Works at the time the
notification of work commencement is given."
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 can
be demonstrated to the Utilities Department that 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 Commission 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 Commission 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.
F. Sidewalks may be required by the City Engineer, but they are not required as a
minimum standard. Sidewalks, where installed, shall meet the construction
standards of the City Engineer.
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
Land Subdivision Regulations
Site Plan Regulations
Stormwater Ordinance
Stormwater Management Plan, Technical Manual
Street and Road Design Technical Manual
Tree Ordinance
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance
Grading Ordinance
Groundwater Recharge Area Protection Ordinance
Water Supply and Watershed Ordinance
Augusta Utilities Department Design Standards
Rights-of- Way Encroachment for Utilities Guidelines
Section 305. Inspection. After a Site Plan has been approved, periodic inspections 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 inspections 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 as provided in Augusta-Richmond County Code 9 1-6-
1.
Section 402. Amendments. An1endments 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-Richmond County Commission.
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. Severability. 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.
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