The intent of this Article is to establish and preserve a compact central business district convenient and attractive for a wide range of retail uses, business transactions, government and professional offices, places of amusement, employment activities, and services to the public designed primarily to meet the day-to-day shopping and service needs of residents of the City of Dahlonega.

It is further the intent of this Article to ensure that development within the Central Business District is consistent or compatible with development in the B-3, Historical Business District. The Governing Body finds that, due to the proximity of the Central Business District (CBD) to the historic downtown square, that development within the Central Business District could either substantially enhance or threaten the character and economic conditions of the historic downtown square, depending upon the type, nature and architectural character of such development. Because of the potential impact development within the CBD could have on the long term economic vitality of properties within the B-3, Historical Business District, which such historical properties are found to be of utmost importance to tourism and the economies of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, the Governing Body finds that all alterations to structures and development of new structures within this district shall require a review according to the guidelines of the City of Dahlonega Historic Preservation Ordinance. This is required to ensure the integrity, stability and enhancement of the B-3, Historical Business District. (See Section 1705.)

(Ord. No. 91-9(Amd. 21), 9-6-2016)

1.

Any use permitted in the B-1, Neighborhood Business District, as enumerated in Section 1402 and any use permitted in the B3 Historical Business District as enumerated in Section 1602 of these regulations, but not subject to any specified square footage limitations except as provided in Article XX.

1.5.

Banquet Hall.

2.

Bus stations and terminals.

3.

Commercial recreation facilities conducted entirely within an enclosed building.

3.1.

Community Center.

3.2.

Conference/Convention Center.

3.3.

Cultural Facility.

3.4.

Event Center.

4.

Hospitals and clinics.

5.

Hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns.

6.

Manufacturing and fabrication shops which occupy no more than one thousand (1,000) square feet of floor area.

7.

Parking garages and parking lots.

8.

Recycling collection centers, but not including the processing of recyclable materials.

9.

Restaurants, including drive-in or drive-thru facilities.

10.

Residences, single-family attached, duplexes, townhouses, condominiums and apartments. Townhouses and condominiums are subject to all provisions of Section 1004 and 1005, respectively.

11.

Taxi-cab and limousine services.

12.

Theaters, indoor only.

(Ord. No. 91-9(Amd. 21), 9-6-2016; Ord. No. 2018-08, 8-13-2018)

1.

Circuses and carnivals.

2.

Commercial-Residential Group Projects, as defined in Article III.

3.

Farmers' markets, flea markets, roadside stands and other similar seasonal or temporary activities.

(Ord. No. 91-9(Amd. 21), 9-6-2016)

Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful in the CBD, Central Business District, to provide any outdoor storage, outdoor display, or outdoor sales on any portion of a subject lot; provided, however, that said prohibition shall not apply to farm winery tasting rooms as defined in O.C.G.A. § 3-6-21.1(a)(3) and restaurants which desire to sell outdoors provided that outdoor sales are restricted as follows:

1.

Sales shall occur only within an area of the zoned premises approved by the Community Development Director or the Director's designee.

2.

Approved signage must be displayed within said area to advise patrons that alcoholic beverages cannot be removed from the outdoor dining area under any circumstances.

3.

Any alcohol sold cannot be served in bottles, cans, plastic cups, or any other disposable containers, but only in glass containers.

4.

Any restaurant or farm winery tasting room utilizing sidewalk right of way must comply with the regulations of the City of Dahlonega concerning such sidewalk dining facilities.

5.

For the purposes of this ordinance front porch areas over which the restaurant or farm winery tasting room has control may be used in the same manner and under the same regulations as sidewalk dining facilities for up to four tables provided the porch area is approved by the Community Development Director or the Director's designee.

(Ord. No. 91-9(Amd. 21), 9-6-2016; Ord. No. 2019-03, 1-10-2019; Ord. No. 2020-04, 8-17-2020)

Any material change in appearance (including painting), demolition, relocation, or removal of an existing structure of building in whole or in part or new construction of a structure or building, in the CBD Central Business District, is subject to the provisions of Article XXV, Historic Properties and Districts.

(Ord. No. 91-9(Amd. 21), 9-6-2016)