The administrative offices and boards described in chapter 8 are established for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the UDO. The committees, boards, and commissions described in this chapter shall have the powers and duties described necessary to achieve the purpose of this UDO.

The zoning administrator has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

(a)

Provide initial information about this ordinance upon request.

(b)

Advise how to contact members of the planning and zoning commission, the board of appeals, the board of commissioners, or other officials as may be appropriate for services provided by those bodies or officials.

(c)

Maintain official maps on public display.

(d)

Determine in which zoning district a parcel of land lies.

(e)

Issue building permits under procedures outlined in section 10.02.01 of this ordinance.

(f)

Issue certificates of occupancy under procedures outlined in section 10.02.02 of this ordinance.

(g)

Offer practical suggestions on how to comply with the requirements of this ordinance.

(h)

Maintain complete records concerning this ordinance and related matters and make such records available to the public upon request.

(i)

Supervise all professional and clerical personnel employed in connection with the performance of the functions of the zoning administrator.

(j)

Serve as administrative secretary to the planning and zoning commission and the board of appeals.

(k)

Issue certificates of zoning compliance for all permitted uses as well as for variances or other applicable procedures which are granted by the board of appeals.

(l)

Collect data and keep informed as to the best zoning practices in order that s/he may be qualified to make recommendations to the planning and zoning commission and the board of commissioners concerning amendments to this ordinance.

(m)

Make recommendations in regards to requests for variances and other zoning decisions to the board of zoning appeals, planning commission and board of commissioners.

The Butts County Planning and Zoning Commission was first established as a joint board of Butts County and the City of Jackson. It is hereby re-established as a five-member county commission appointed and approved by the board of commissioners. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as initial appointments. Members are removable for cause by the board of commissioners upon written charges and after public hearing. No members of the planning and zoning commission shall hold any elected public office. Terms of appointment shall be set by the board of commissioners according to an approved schedule. Meeting organization and parliamentary procedure shall be carried out as established in the by-laws adopted by the planning and zoning commission.

The planning and zoning commission has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

(a)

Advise the board of commissioners on applications for amendment to this ordinance by examining amendment applications and providing written recommendations with reasons for the recommendations to the board of commissioners.

(b)

Dispense general information about this ordinance to the public upon request.

(c)

Propose amendments to this ordinance.

(d)

Maintain and update the Butts County Comprehensive Plan so that it may provide a current data base with which decisions on proposed amendments to this ordinance may be made that utilize sound planning principles.

(e)

Carry out an ongoing comprehensive planning program which, like the comprehensive plan, will provide current data on which decisions regarding this ordinance may be based that utilize sound planning principles.

(f)

Maintain and update the Butts County Land Use Plan so that it may provide a current data base with which decisions on proposed amendments to this ordinance may be made that utilize sound planning principles.

(g)

Advise the board of commissioners on matters of zoning and annexation, as appropriate.

(a)

The planning commission shall make its own by-laws and rules of procedure; provided, however, such by-laws and rules of procedure shall not control over any conflicting ordinances of the county or state law.

(b)

The planning commission shall set a regular monthly meeting time. All meetings of the planning commission at which official action is taken shall be open to the public, and all records of the planning commission shall be public records.

(c)

To the extent the planning commission is specifically authorized to render any quasi-judicial decision as defined below, the planning commission shall hold a public hearing before making any such quasi-judicial decisions. Such hearing shall be preceded by the county providing publication of a public hearing notice within a newspaper of general circulation in the county no less than 30 days prior to the hearing, and a notice of the hearing shall be mailed at least 30 days prior to the public hearing to the owner of the property that is the subject of the proposed action. Such notices shall include the application number (if any number is assigned), date, time, location, and purpose of the public hearing. Quasi-judicial decisions means to exercise delegated, quasi-judicial zoning powers including hearing appeals on administrative decisions and rendering decisions on applications for variances, special administrative permits, special exceptions, conditional use permits, or other similar permits pursuant to standards for the exercise of such quasi-judicial authority adopted by the county.

(Ord. No. CR202334, § 1, 6-26-2023)

The Butts County Board of Zoning Appeals, herein referred to as the Board of Zoning Appeals or BZA, is hereby established.

The board of appeals has the power and duty to provide the following services:

(a)

Authorize variances according to procedures specified in section 9.02.01 and 10.03.00.

(b)

Accept applications for appeal of administrative decisions according to procedures specified in section 10.03.00.

(c)

Accept applications for appeal of an action of the historic preservation commission (where one exists) and render official decisions on them.

(a)

The board of zoning appeals ("BZA") shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from its members who shall serve for one year or until reelected or until their successors are elected. The BZA shall adopt rules and by-laws in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and of the Zoning Procedures Law, O.C.G.A. Title 36, Chapter 66.

(b)

Meetings of the BZA shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the BZA may determine. No action may be taken without the approval of a quorum of the BZA. A quorum shall consist of three members of the BZA. The chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoena.

(c)

The BZA shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the department of planning and development and shall be a public record.

(d)

All meetings of the BZA shall be open to the public and shall comply with O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq.

(e)

To the extent the BZA is specifically authorized to render any quasi-judicial decision as defined below, the BZA shall hold a public hearing before making any such quasi-judicial decisions. Such hearing shall be preceded by the county providing publication of a public hearing notice within a newspaper of general circulation in the county no less than 30 days prior to the hearing, and a notice of the hearing shall be mailed at least 30 days prior to the public hearing to the owner of the property that is the subject of the proposed action. Such notices shall include the application number (if any number is assigned), date, time, location, and purpose of the public hearing. Quasi-judicial decisions means to exercise of delegated, quasi-judicial zoning powers including hearing appeals on administrative decisions and rendering decisions on applications for variances, special administrative permits, special exceptions, conditional use permits, or other similar permits pursuant to standards for the exercise of such quasi-judicial authority adopted by the county.

(Ord. No. CR202334, §§ 2, 3, 6-26-2023)

The board of commissioners has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

(a)

Accept applications for amendment of this ordinance and render official decisions on them after referring them to the planning and zoning commission for review and recommendations.

(b)

Propose amendments to this ordinance.

(c)

Issue zoning decisions, and exercise the zoning power, consistently with the standards for the exercise of the zoning power, the Zoning Procedures Law, and the policies and procedures for conduct of public hearings.

(d)

Perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred on the board by law.