The intent of this district is to regulate and restrict the height of structures and objects of natural growth, and to otherwise regulate the use of property in the vicinity of the Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MGRA); to prevent development of high density residential dwellings or the concentration of large numbers of persons in those areas subject to low-flying aircraft in the process of normal operation, to protect flying aircraft by limiting the height of structures and trees, and to establish noise control zones and noise regulations in the vicinity of the airport.

(Added March 14, 1994, ZA94-03-02)

These definitions shall be used in addition to those in Chapter 1 of this Resolution. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, certain terms and words are defined as follows:

[1]

Height. For the purpose of determining the height limit in all zones shown on the airspace zoning maps, the datum shall be mean sea level (MSL) unless otherwise specified

[2]

Primary surface. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway, the extended lengths and widths being shown on the airspace zoning maps. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline.

[3]

Zones; approach, transitional, horizontal and conical. These zones apply to the area under the approach, transitional, horizontal, and conical surfaces defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 77, and shown on the Future Airspace Plan Map for Middle Georgia Regional Airport, dated November, 1988, respectively. The FAR, Part 77, surfaces are also referred to as "imaginary surfaces."

(Added March 14, 1994, ZA94-03-02)

In order to carry out the provisions of this chapter, there are hereby created and established certain zones which include all the land lying beneath the approach surfaces, transitional surfaces, horizontal surfaces, and conical surfaces as they apply to Middle Georgia Regional Airport. Such zones are shown on the airspace zoning map for Middle Georgia Regional Airport which is referenced in Section 2.03[2].

These zones shall be superimposed over existing use districts, and except where provided elsewhere in this section, the special requirements of the hazard use district within which a specific property is located shall apply. An area located in more than one (1) of the following zones is considered to be only in the zone with the more restrictive height limitation.

[1]

Establishment of zones governing height limitations. The various zones are hereby established to govern height limitations and are defined as follows:

(a)

Approach zones. The inner edge of these zones coincides with the width of the primary surfaces, and the horizontal dimensions are the same as those shown on the airspace zoning maps for the respective approach surfaces.

(b)

Transitional zones. Slope seven (7) feet outward for outward for each one (1) foot upward beginning at the sides of and at the same elevation as the primary surface and the approach surface, and extending to a height of one hundred fifty (150) feet above the airport elevation which is three hundred fifty-four (354) feet above mean sea level for Middle Georgia Regional Airport. In addition to the foregoing, there are established height limits sloping seven (7) feet outward for each one (1) foot upward beginning at the sides of and at the same elevation as the approach surface, and extending a horizontal distance of five thousand (5,000) feet measured. at ninety-degree angles to the extended runway centerline.

(c)

Horizontal zones. The horizontal zone is hereby established as the area beneath the horizontal surface which is one hundred fifty (150) feet above the highest point of the airport runway system.

(d)

Conical zones. Slopes twenty (20) feet outward for each foot upward beginning at the periphery of the horizontal zone for a horizontal distance of four thousand (4,000) feet at one hundred fifty (150) feet above the airport elevation and extending to a height of three hundred fifty (350) feet above the airport elevation.

[2]

Airport zone height limitation. Except as otherwise provided in this Resolution, no structure or tree shall be erected, altered, allowed to grow, or be maintained in any zone created by this Resolution to a height in excess of the applicable height limit herein established for each zone. Such height limitations are hereby established for each zone in question as the elevation of the respective imaginary surfaces shown on the airspace zoning maps. Where an area is covered by more than one (1) height limitation, the more restrictive limitation shall prevail.

[3]

Variances. Any variance to this section which is desired by any person, corporation or agency under the provisions of Section 27.13 must, in addition, be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Engineers Office of Robins Air Force Base for review and comment prior to the issuance of any variance to the airport hazard district regulations. (Amended July 11, 2022, ZA22-001)

(Added March 14, 1994, ZA94-03-02)

[1]

Intent. The airport environs overlay zone (AE) is hereby created with the following purposes:

To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating development and land use within noise sensitive areas;

To ensure compatibility between surrounding land uses and Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MGRA); and

To protect MGRA from encroachment by incompatible development

The airport environs overlay zone (AE) shall serve as an overlay district that applies additional standards and requirements to properties located within an underlying zoning district. Proposed developments located within this zoning district shall comply with these requirements and the requirements of the underlying zoning district. In the case of conflicting standards and requirements, the more stringent standards and requirements shall apply.

[2]

Supplemental definitions. These definitions shall be used in addition to those in Chapter 1 of this Resolution. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, certain terms and words are defined as follows:

(a)

Aircraft noise contours. The geographic area that is affected by MGRA flight operations and defined on the basis of those areas immediately affected by the 65 Ldn and greater noise exposure area shown on the 1993 Ldn Contours with Full Noise Compatibility Program Implementation Map which is referenced in Section 2.03(b).

(b)

Day-night sound level (Ldn). A cumulative aircraft noise index that estimates the exposure to aircraft noise at a certain geographic point and relates the estimated exposure to an expected community response.

(c)

Ldn contour (noise control zones). A line linking together a series of points of equal cumulative noise exposure based on the Ldn metric. These contours are developed based on the Ldn metric, and are defined by aircraft flight patterns, the number of daily aircraft operations by type of aircraft and time of day, noise characteristics of each aircraft, and typical runway usage patterns.

(d)

Structure. Any object, whether permanent, temporary, or mobile, including, but not limited to, a building, tower, crane, smokestack, earth formation, transmission line, flagpole, or sign.

[3]

Noise control zones. The noise control zones for Middle Georgia Regional Airport are shown on the map referenced in Section 2.03[3]. The boundaries of the noise control zone, as adopted herein, shall be reviewed and amended whenever the City of Macon updates or amends its aircraft noise contour maps. It shall be the responsibility of the City of Macon to notify the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission of any such update or amendment and to provide a copy of same to the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission. Copies of the current aircraft noise contour maps shall be on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Commission.

[4]

Application of regulations. Within the noise control zones, any proposed use or structure is subject to review as described herein and shall be evaluated relative to the standards and requirements provided for herein.

[5]

Exemptions. The provisions of these regulations shall not be deemed applicable to the following when permitted in the underlying district:

(a)

Existing uses. Uses existing on the effective date of these regulations shall not be required to change in order to comply with the requirements specified herein. The nonconforming use requirements of these regulations shall apply to the future applicability of the standards and requirements contained herein.

(b)

Temporary used. Temporary uses, including but not limited to public celebrations and outdoor entertainment events, so long as the period of operation does not exceed five days in any one year period. A variance may be requested to extend the time period for a temporary use.

(c)

Temporary structures. Temporary buildings and structures that are not used for residential purposes and that meet said applicable requirements as contained within these regulations so long as such uses and associated structures are constructed incidental to a permitted use (as per the requirements of these regulations), do not generate excessive glare or electrical emissions that could interfere with standard aircraft operations, and do not exceed the applicable height restrictions contained in these regulations.

(d)

Agricultural structures. Bona fide agricultural buildings, structures, improvements, and associated nonresidential developments, provided such structures do not exceed the applicable height restrictions contained in these regulations.

(e)

Accessory uses and structures. Accessory uses and structures incidental to a permitted principal structure or use and within the intent, purposes, or objectives of these regulations

[6]

Development standards. The following development standards shall apply to all proposed uses and structures.

(a)

Proposed uses and structures. Table 20B.04, Noise/Land Use Compatibility Guidelines, contained herein, identifies development standards that apply to proposed uses and structures within each noise contour. All proposed uses and structures must comply with the noise level reduction regulations of Macon-Bibb County.

(b)

Interior day-night average noise level (Ldn). All proposed uses and structures must comply with the noise level reduction (NLR) standards as provided in Table 20B.04. Compliance with NLR requirements shall be evidenced prior to issuance of an occupancy permit.

(c)

Flammable/hazardous substance storage. Above ground storage of flammable or explosive substances within five thousand (5,000) feet of all approach surfaces as described on the Airspace Zoning Map shall be prohibited. (See Section 2.03[2]). All underground storage tanks containing flammable or explosive substances shall be approved by the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department.

(d)

Lighting and glare. No development within five thousand (5,000) feet of all approach surfaces as described on the Airspace Zoning Map (See Section 2.03 [2] may produce or reflect light in a sufficient intensity or manner that would make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and other light sources, result in glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport, or otherwise impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport. All proposed light sources that could conflict with this requirement (except structure lighting required under FAR Part 77) shall be properly shielded or directed away from a pilot's field of vision.

(e)

Electrical emissions or interference. No development within five thousand (5,000) feet of all approach surfaces as described on the Airspace Zoning Map (See Section 2.03 [2]) may create or result in electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communication between MGFA and aircraft operating within the affected areas.

(f)

Air emissions. No development within five thousand (5,000) feet of all approach surfaces as described on the Airspace Zoning Map (See Section 2.03 [2]) may emit smoke or particulate matter which, in sufficient quantities or concentrations, would impair pilot visibility in the vicinity of the airport or clog aircraft engines.

(g)

Other navigation hazards. No development within five thousand (5,000) feet of all approach surfaces as described on the Airspace Zoning Map (See Section 2.03 [2]) may attract large flocks of birds which would constitute a hazard to air navigation in the Vicinity of the airport. No solid waste disposal facility or landfill may be cited within said five thousand (5,000) foot area.

(h)

(Deleted November 14, 1994, ZA94-11-04)

[7]

Notice to purchasers. The Commission may provide a notice to all applicants for any development-related permit, informing the applicant that the respective property is located, either partially or wholly, within the noise control zones and may be subject to aircraft overflight.

[8]

Plat notice. A notice shall be placed on all final subdivision plats for properties located within the noise control zones that states the following:

Noise warning. This property, either partially or wholly, lies within the noise exposure area of MGPA and is subject to aircraft noise and potential that may be objectionable.

[9]

Variances. Any variance to this section which is desired by any person, corporation, or agency under the provisions of Section 27.13 must, in addition:

(a)

Provide proper soundproofing measures as approved by the bureau of inspection and fees, or

(b)

If the person, corporation, or agency does not desire to install proper soundproofing measures, constructive notice shall be given in the deed for the subject property stating that a variance was sought under these regulations and proper soundproofing measures were not installed. (Amended July 11, 2022, ZA22-001)

(Added March 14, 1994)

Any variance granted under Section 20.1303[3] above may, if such action is deemed advisable to effectuate the purpose of this Resolution and reasonable in the circumstances, be so conditioned as to require the owner of the structure or tree in question to install, operate, and maintain thereon such markings and lights as may be necessary to indicate to pilots the presence of an obstruction to air navigation. (Added March 14, 1994, ZA94-03-02)

TABLE 20B.04
NOISE/LAND USE COMPATIBILITY GUIDELINES
Land Use Compatibility* With Yearly Day-Night Average Sound Levels

(Numbers in parentheses refer to notes)

Key

¹ Measures to achieve outdoor to indoor Noise Level Reduction (NLR) of at least 25 dB and 30 dB should be incorporated into building code approvals.
² ;hg;Measures to achieve NLR of 25 must be incorporated into the design and construction of portions of these buildings where the public is received, office areas, noise sensitive areas or where the normal noise level is low.
³ ;hg;Measures to achieve NLR of 30 must be incorporated into the design and construction of portions of those buildings where the public is received, office areas, noise sensitive areas or where the normal noise level is low.
⁴ ;hg;Measures to achieve NLR of 35 must be incorporated into the design and construction of portions of these buildings where the public is received, office areas, noise sensitive areas or where the normal noise level is low.
⁵ ;hg;Land use compatible provided special sound reinforcement systems are installed.
⁶ ;hg;Residential buildings require an NLR of 25.
⁷ ;hg;Residential buildings require an NLR of 30.
⁸ ;hg;Residential buildings not permitted.

SOURCE: FAR PART 150, APPENDIX A, TABLE 1.

(Added March 14, 1994, ZA94-03-02)