(a)

For purposes of this article and any location restrictions set forth herein, unless otherwise specified to the contrary, the map attached as exhibit B to the ordinance from which this article is derived will delineate the boundaries of each overlay district. Boundaries are drawn to property lines or center line of streets.

(b)

Streets may be referred to based on functional class as defined by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

(c)

Overlays shall replace requirements of setbacks, lot sizes, lot coverage, height, signage, and landscaping requirements. Where conflicts arise the requirements in this chapter shall supersede.

(d)

Overlays may reduce required parking standards and provide additional access, form, or modal use requirements in place.

(e)

Overlays cannot change underlying zoning uses allowed, except in the additional restriction of no auto-oriented uses in the Central Business District Overlay. Auto-Oriented Uses is a use heavily influenced by and primarily dependent on the automobile for its viability, including, but not limited to the following examples: gas stations, service stations, convenience stores, drive-throughs, drive-ins, auto dealerships, auto repair/detailing shops, wrecker services, car storage, and car washes.

(f)

An applicant may apply for a deviation from any overlay requirement.

(g)

Deviations shall be approved by the Planning Commission. A denial by the Planning Commission for a deviation may be appealed to the City Council. Deviation approvals shall be valid for one (1) year from the granting by approval body.

(1)

Deviations shall be reviewed based on hardships and creative solutions. Applicants for deviations shall provide written answers to the following questions.

(i)

Description of existing use on the lot being requested for deviation.

(ii)

Description of the proposed use and development forms shall include a site plan which shows buildings, setbacks, parking, and landscaping plan.

(iii)

List of each overlay requirement applicant is seeking deviation from.

(iv)

Description of hardship limiting capacity to meet overlay requirements.

(v)

Description of new or creative solution which is being limited by overlay requirements.

(vi)

Description of benefits to the City of LaFayette in approving this request for deviation.

(2)

Fee for deviation application shall be determined by the City Manager for the City of LaFayette.

(Ord. No. 22/05, § 6, 6-13-2022)

(a)

Intent: As downtown LaFayette has a different development pattern and is focused on a different lifestyle based on using the public realm, the Central Business Overlay is meant to ensure the form and pattern of new development and rehabilitation of existing buildings to a more traditional small-town core.

(b)

Setbacks:

(1)

Minimum Front Building Setback: Zero (0) feet.

(2)

Maximum Front Building Setback: Zero (0) feet; however, a maximum building setback of fifteen (15) feet may be permitted if an intentional public space or pedestrian activity space is provided between the building and right-of-way such as a park, plaza, outdoor dining, or similar.

(3)

Side Yard Building Setback: Ten (10) feet where permitted use adjoins any Residential Zone or existing single-family use; otherwise no minimum.

(4)

Rear Yard Building Setback: Twenty (20) feet where permitted use adjoins any Residential Zone or existing single-family use; otherwise eight (8) feet minimum.

(5)

Canopies: For the purposes of this zone, canopies, whether attached or detached are not considered part of the "building" or eligible as part of the calculations for setback requirements.

(c)

Lot Sizes: No minimum lot size other than a proven ability, by site plan, to house a structure able to meet zoning and building code requirements.

(d)

Lot Coverage: No maximum lot coverage.

(e)

Building Height: Maximum Height of three (3) stories.

(f)

Signage within Central Business District Overlay:

(1)

Signs on walls, awnings, permanent banners, canopies, windows, and projecting signs are all considered building signs and are included in the square footage calculation.

(2)

Signs on any one (1) side of a building cannot exceed one and one-half (1.5) square feet of sign per linear feet of building wall.

(3)

The maximum size of any one (1) sign cannot exceed forty-eight (48) square feet.

(4)

Signs, ads, or decoration painted, or placed on windows, shall not cover more than twenty (20) percent of the total window area.

(5)

Project signs, signs that physically hang or cantilever off a building, may protrude into the public Right-of-Way if approved by the City and the property owner provides a written indemnification to the City.

(g)

Landscaping:

(1)

Parking which directly abuts a non-alley right-of-way shall be buffered from the public by a three-feet hedge or opaque wooden, vinyl, or masonry fencing.

(2)

Lighting shall be at a minimum of ten (10) footcandles at grade along sidewalks.

(h)

Parking Requirement:

(1)

Nonresidential uses. Due to the availability of on-street parking in the downtown and urbanized areas that is devoted to customer use, off-street parking shall not be required for any nonresidential use in the Central Business District Overlay.

(2)

Residential uses. No off-street parking shall be required for three or fewer dwelling units on a property. For more than three dwelling units, off-street parking shall be provided for the property at the rate of 1.25 spaces per dwelling unit (rounded up to the nearest whole number of spaces).

(3)

No parking shall be allowed between the building and a public, non-alley, right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 22/05, § 6, 6-13-2022)

(a)

Intent: To the west of the Central Business Development is a portion of the City which is in transition. The area is being looked at as an opportunity for a creative tourist base. By being flexible, a variety of different uses can be housed in this district.

(b)

Setbacks:

(1)

There are no minimum setbacks, but building code required distances between structures are still required.

(2)

Attached garages and carports shall be located no closer to the right-of-way line of any street than the principal structure on the property.

(c)

Lot Sizes: No minimum lot size other than a proven ability, by site plan, to house a structure able to meet zoning and building code requirements.

(d)

Lot Coverage: Lot coverage shall have a minimum of seventy (70) percent of the site. Sites with topographic or environmental limitations may ask for a deviation.

(e)

Building Height: There shall be no height maximum except when adjacent a residential existing use. Then height shall be limited to one (1) story taller than existing adjacent residential structure.

(f)

Signage within Tourist District Overlay:

(1)

Signs on walls, awnings, permanent banners, canopies, windows, and projecting signs are all considered building signs and are included in the square footage calculation.

(2)

Signs on any one (1) side of a building cannot exceed one and one-half (1.5) square feet of sign per linear feet of building wall.

(3)

The maximum size of any one (1) sign cannot exceed forty-eight (48) square feet.

(4)

Signs, ads, or decoration painted, or placed on windows, shall not cover more than twenty (20) percent of the total window area.

(5)

Project signs, signs that physically hang or cantilever off a building, may protrude into the public right-of-way if approved by the City and the property owner provides a written indemnification to the City.

(g)

Landscaping:

(1)

Parking which directly abuts a non-alley right-of-way shall be buffered from the public by a three-feet hedge or opaque wooden, vinyl, or masonry fencing.

(2)

A landscaped street edge shall be provided at the, non-alley, right-of-way for all portions of the lot not fronted by buildings. The street edge shall have a minimum depth of eight (8) feet as measured from the edge of the public right-of-way towards the interior of the property. The yard shall consist of sod grass or other natural living ground cover material. Trees shall be planted within the street yard at a minimum ratio of one (1) tree per thirty-five (35) linear feet of right-of-way frontage. Trees do not have to be evenly spaced in thirty-five (35) feet increments. Fractions of trees shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

(h)

Parking Requirement:

(1)

Nonresidential uses. Off-street parking shall be provided at one (1) parking spot per every 400 square feet of commercial or office use.

(2)

Residential uses. Off-street parking shall be provided for the property at the rate of one and one-quarter (1.25) spaces per dwelling unit (rounded up to the nearest whole number of spaces).

(3)

No parking space can be more than sixty (60) feet from a tree. This will likely require landscape islands in many cases.

(4)

Every development must provide at minimum one bike parking location.

(Ord. No. 22/05, § 6, 6-13-2022)

(a)

Intent: The intent of the Gateway District Overlay is to enhance the City's corridor as it acts as a gateway for entry into the City's Central Business District. This overlay is intended to preserve the scenic vistas of the City, enhance the compatibility of development, and to minimize future traffic congestion.

(b)

Setbacks: Front yard shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet. All other setbacks shall be determined by under lying zone.

(c)

Lot Sizes: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet minimum.

(d)

Lot Coverage: See underlying zone.

(e)

Building Height: Three (3) Stories Max.

(f)

Signage within Gateway District Overlay:

(1)

Developments within this overlay shall only be allowed a Monument Sign and/or Standard Informational Sign on the primary building proper.

(2)

For the purposes of this Section, a "monument sign" is defined as an advertising or identification device that is ground mounted and constructed so that there is no space between the ground and the bottom of the device.

(3)

One (1) monument sign is permitted per parcel.

(4)

Pole-mounted signs are prohibited.

(5)

Dimensions/Location. Monument signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height or ten (10) feet in width. Logos and advertising names shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet per face and total sign area shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet total of all faces. Height is measured from the top of the sign to the lowest point of the ground upon which the proposed sign is to be located. Monument signs shall not be located in the sight distance triangle or otherwise obstruct lines of sight for vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Monument signs shall not be closer than ten (10) feet to any right-of-way.

(6)

Materials. Materials that match the materials of the associated building shall be used.

(7)

Illumination. Signs shall be illuminated by indirect lighting. Internally illuminated box-type plastic signs shall not be permitted, but signs composed of illuminated individual letters shall be permitted.

(g)

Landscaping:

(1)

A landscaped street edge shall be provided at the non-alley, right-of-way for all portions of the lot not fronted by buildings. The street edge shall have a minimum depth of eight (8) feet as measured from the edge of the public right-of-way towards the interior of the property. The yard shall consist of sod grass or other natural living ground cover material. Trees shall be planted within the street yard at a minimum ratio of one (1) tree per thirty-five (35) linear feet of right-of-way frontage. Trees do not have to be evenly spaced in thirty-five (35) feet increments. Fractions of trees shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

(i)

Tree to be determined by City list. Class A where no overhead obstruction exists. Class B when an overhead obstruction, such as above ground wires, exist.

(2)

Only one (1) curb cut per one hundred fifty (150) linear feet of street frontage is permitted. A deviation can be requested for additional curb cuts from City Manager.

(i)

Deviation shall require site plan with proposed alternative and method for limiting danger to pedestrians.

(3)

Curb cuts may not be more than twenty-four (24) feet in width.

(h)

Parking Requirement:

(1)

No parking shall be located between the primary building and the public right-of-way.

(2)

Parking requirements are as described in Section 29-42 of the code. Parking requirements may be reduced by up to twenty (20) percent if additional landscaping or public benefit is provided and approved as a deviation.

(3)

Lighting in parking areas to the side and rear are required. Parking shall be a minimum of ten (10) lumens to each parking space.

(Ord. No. 22/05, § 6, 6-13-2022)