For purposes of this ordinance the area of Schley County outside the corporate limits of the City of Ellaville is divided into land use districts or zones for the purposes of promoting the proper location, height, bulk, number of stories, size of open space, density and distribution of population and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, agriculture, forestry, conservation, sanitation, protection against flooding, public activities, and other purposes so as to lessen congestion in roads and streets, to secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers, to promote the public health and general welfare, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, to prevent urban sprawl, to facilitate adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements, to promote desirable living conditions and stability of neighborhoods, to protect against blight and depreciation, to secure economy in governmental expenditures, to conserve the value of buildings and to encourage the most appropriate use of land, buildings, and structures throughout Schley County, and for other purposes.

In order to carry out the intent and purpose of this ordinance unincorporated Schley County is hereby divided into the following districts:

Rural-intended to accommodate the general continuation of the historical land use pattern which, at the time of adoption, the predominant land use being forestland/agriculture (±95%) interspersed with single-family residential (±5%), and the numerous other land uses collectively accounting for the balance (±1%). Residences are distributed widely across the county with a few, sparsely-developed pockets.

Wildlife Protection-an overlay to the Rural District comprised almost entirely of wetland and/or floodplain. This protective area is created in recognition of the natural resources, eco-systems, flora and fauna which make positive contributions to the local quality of life and the need to protect these resources from the adverse effects of development. The purposes of the area are to promote and facilitate economic development through public enjoyment of these perishable resources by residents and non-residents without compromising resource sustainability. Official recognition of such resources is also intended to minimize property losses that could result from flooding, and illegal development in environmentally sensitive/protected areas. Limitations on the use of land in this area are in addition to those which apply to the rest of the Rural District.

Industrial-an area suitable for light industrial activity; activity which is typically more labor-intensive than capital-intensive, with end products most often sold to the end-user rather than to another processor, and is usually less environmentally problematic. The district is strategically located to promote and facilitate sustainable industrial development.

The location and boundaries of the zoning districts established by this ordinance are bounded and defined as shown on the map entitled "Official Zoning Map of Schley County, Georgia." Said map shall be further identified by the signature of the chairman of the Schley County Board of Commissioners, the signature of Schley County Clerk of Commissioners, and the adoption date of this ordinance. The official zoning map along with all notations, references and other information recorded thereon comprise the other component of this ordinance and have the same force and effect as if fully set forth, repeated and described herein.

5.1.

Where boundaries are indicated as approximately following street lines, land lot lines, militia district lines, railroad lines, stream beds or riverbeds, private lot lines or corporate limit lines, such lines existing at the time of passage of the zoning resolution shall be construed to be such boundaries.

5.2.

Where a district boundary divides a parcel, location of the district boundary shall be determined by use of the map scale appearing on the official zoning map, unless clearly indicated otherwise by dimensions on the zoning map.

5.3.

Where a public right-of-way is officially vacated or abandoned, the vacated property shall be considered as being within the same zoning district as the adjoining property.

5.4.

Where district boundaries are shown so as to indicate they are approximately parallel to the centerlines of roads or highways, such boundaries shall be construed as being measured from or being parallel to the center lines of such roads or highways. If no distance is provided, dimensions shall be determined by the use of the map scale appearing on the official zoning map.