The special preservation district is established to provide for the proper placement of private, semiprivate and public uses, which require special consideration because of their character, physical setting, size and/or relation to surrounding land uses. This district consist of lands that are located along major rivers, creeks and streams or other areas as determined by the planning commission and involve environmental sensitive areas that are best served by requiring minimum development standards to help protect the natural environment, reduce flood damage, improve water runoff quality and minimize increased flood velocity. It is the intent of this district to provide standards that allow desirable land uses while protecting our natural resources that are not served by the county road system.

The provisions of this district shall take precedence over any conflicts or requirements of other ordinances relating to subdivisions as adopted by the county.

This district is designed for low-density development with low traffic volumes. It is not the intent or desire of the county to own, develop, or accept roads that are in a floodplain or environmental sensitive areas associated with this special district. Therefore, the county will require that all roads providing ingress and egress to be privately owned and maintained in these sensitive and floodprone areas.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

A.

Permitted uses:

1.

Single-family residences.

2.

Manufactured homes.

3.

Campers and travel trailers.

4.

Private recreational facilities not operated for profit.

5.

Residential industrial buildings.

B.

Accessory uses:

1.

Garages, carports and open shelters.

C.

Conditional uses:

1.

Private recreational facilities operated for profit.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30; Ord. of 4-13-2021(2), § 38)

It is the intent of the board of commissioners to preserve the natural environment by requiring minimal improvements and/or disturbance of the natural environment and that concept shall be preserved by developers when installing and/or building in this district by reduced grading, land disturbing activities, felling of trees and disturbance of natural vegetation. Excessive grading, land disturbing activities, felling of trees and disturbance of natural vegetation as determined by the zoning administrator or building official shall be cause for a stop work order until such excessive disturbance can be resolved by the board of commissioners.

1.

All streets and/or ingress and egress easements shall conform to Chapter 66, Subdivisions, article VI, section 66-186, provided, however, such streets or ingress/egress easements shall not be required to meet the construction standards required for paved streets and rights-of-way may be reduced to 20 feet in width.

2.

An ingress and egress easement to all lots shall be provided to the county for use by emergency vehicles.

3.

Ingress and egress roads shall remain in its natural state as much as possible by preserving natural vegetation and trees. Roads and/or ingress/egress easements shall have a minimum width of 20 feet. Roads and/or ingress/egress easements shall be graveled for all-purpose travel from each lot to an existing county or state road. Minimal grading of roads shall be permitted to establish a base for the gravel roadbed. All road construction including the base grade and gravel installation shall require approval and supervision by the county road superintendent.

4.

The developer shall pay for and install all required street name signs and traffic control signs or devices.

5.

All lots shall be served by a water system designed by an architect or engineer to be flood proof, including sealing of the well, elevated wellhead, tank and electrical control system.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

The following standards are required within SP districts.

A.

Maximum number of lots created per parcel shall not exceed 19 lots.

B.

Minimum lot size three acres.

C.

Minimum lot width 200 feet.

D.

Lot lines shall be substantially at right angles to road or ingress/egress lines.

E.

All structures shall have their narrowest width parallel to the stream flow to reduce hydrostatic pressures. A sketch of the floor plan design showing location on the lot is required to show compliance.

F.

Lots shall be provided adequate drainage, however, natural vegetation and trees shall be protected by minimum clearing and grading.

G.

Setbacks:

1.

Front: 100 feet (from stream bank or road).

2.

Side: 30 feet.

3.

Rear: 50 feet (in no case closer than 100 feet to stream bank).

4.

Buffers as required in the article II, section 26-34(c)(15), soil erosion and sedimentation control shall not be encroached upon if in conflict with the above, however, any required buffers shall be included in the required set-back.

H.

The requirements of article II, Flood Damage Prevention, article 5, River Corridor Protection and article 4, Wetland Protection must be met when appropriate.

I.

All subdivisions shall conform to section 34-95, Standards for subdivisions, as found in the flood damage prevention ordinance and amended as follows:

a.

All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

b.

All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.

c.

All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

d.

Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivisions.

J.

Individual septic systems shall be designed to be flood proof as required in flood damage prevention article II, section 34-91(8) and article V section 26-155(1)c. No more than one single-family residence may be served by a single septic system. Septic tanks shall be of the fiberglass type that has a bolt on, sealed lid to prevent contamination of floodwaters. No septic tanks or drain fields shall be located in any drainage area. It shall be required that a soil scientist survey each lot to determine the best location of a septic system based on soil type requirements as per the standards established by the Georgia Department of Health.

K.

Minimum lot area: As specified by the county health department, but in no case less than three acres; however, a lot of record lawfully existing at the time of passage of this ordinance [Nov. 9, 2004] and having an area which does not conform to the above standards may nevertheless be developed with a use which is permitted within an SP district if approved by the county health department, unless a larger area is otherwise specified herein.

L.

Maximum building height: Maximum building height shall not exceed 45 feet; however, this height limit does not apply to projections not intended for human habitation. For buildings and structures with such projections, the minimum required yards must be increased one foot for every two feet (or part of two feet) of height greater than 45 feet.

M.

Applicability to land and open space: No building, structure or land may be used or occupied—and no building or structure or part of a building or structure may be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered—unless in conformity with all of the regulations specified for the district in which it is located.

N.

Every use must be on a lot: No building or structure may be erected or use established unless upon a lot as defined by this ordinance.

O.

Only one principal building per lot: Only one principal building and its accessory buildings may be erected on any lot, except for planned developments or as otherwise provided.

P.

Open space not to be encroached upon: No open space may be encroached upon or reduced in any manner except in conformity with the yard, setback, off street parking spaces, and other such required development standards contained in this ordinance. Shrubbery, driveways, retaining walls, fences, curbs, and buffers are not considered to be encroachments of yards. Open space areas as required by this ordinance must be permanently maintained as open space in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.

Q.

Reduction of yards or lot area: Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, a lot existing at the time of passage of this ordinance [Nov. 9, 2004] may not be reduced, divided, changed as to produce a tract of land which does not comply with the minimum dimension or area requirements of this ordinance for the district in which it is located unless that reduction or division is necessary to provide land which is needed and accepted for public use.

R.

Lots with multiple frontage: In the case of a corner lot or double frontage lot, front yard setback requirements apply to all lot lines abutting a street.

S.

Landlocked lots: In case of a landlocked lot (a lot without direct access to a public street or road) lawfully existing as of the effective date of this ordinance, the property owner is entitled to one building permit, as long as all of the following requirements are met:

1.

No other principal building exists or is being constructed on the property.

2.

No other valid building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance and is currently valid.

3.

The property was and continues to be under single ownership since the effective date of this ordinance.

4.

The property owner has acquired a 30-foot easement to a county or state-maintained street or road, and the easement has been duly recorded and made a part of the property deed.

T.

Street frontage: No principal building may be erected on any lot which does not have an ingress/egress easement to an existing county road or state highway.

U.

Yards and other spaces: No part of a yard, other open space, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building may be included as a part of the yard, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building, except as specifically provided for in this ordinance.

V.

Substandard lots: Any lot existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance, which has an area or a width which is less than required by this ordinance, is subject to the following exceptions and modifications:

1.

Adjoining lots in same ownership: When two or more adjoining and vacant lots within a nonapproved development with continuous frontage and are in single ownership at the time of application and such lots have a frontage or lot area less than is required by the district in which they are located, such lots must be replatted or reparceled so as to create one or more lots which conform to the minimum frontage and area requirements of the district.

2.

Single lots: When a lot has an area or frontage which does not conform with the requirements of the district in which it is located, but was a lot of record at the effective date of this ordinance, such a lot may be used for any use allowed in the zoning district in which it is located as long as all other requirements of this ordinance are met.

W.

Encroachment on public rights-of-way: No building, structure, service area, required off-street parking, or loading/unloading facilities are permitted to encroach on public rights-of-way.

X.

Physical design standards: Minimum design standards for driveways, loading areas, and other such physical site improvements are contained in applicable development regulations of Screven County. Consult that document for specific requirements.

Y.

Off-street parking and service requirements: Minimum standards for off-street parking and service requirements are contained in the Screven County Standard for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities (appendix B [to this appendix]).

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

A.

Application process for plat approval.

1.

File a zone change request with the zoning administrator including all information as required in Chapter 66 Subdivisions, article V, section 66-151 for sketch plan approval. The planning commission and/or the board of commissioners may impose any conditions they feel necessary to protect public safety, guard against flood damage, protect the environment or general welfare of the surrounding properties.

2.

Provide any information and or comply with any requirements of Chapter 66 Subdivisions, articles I through XIII as may deem necessary by the zoning administrator or the planning commission.

3.

Upon approval of the zone change and sketch plan proceed to Chapter 66 Subdivisions, article V, section 66-152 and provide all information required for preliminary plat approval by the planning commission and the board of commissioners. The planning commission and/or the board of commissioners may impose any conditions they feel necessary to protect public safety, guard against flood damage, protect the environment or general welfare of the surrounding properties.

4.

Upon approval of the preliminary plat and after the installation of all required improvements proceed to Chapter 66 Subdivisions, article V, section 66-153 for final plat approval by the planning commission. It shall also be required that the following flood disclaimer be on the Final Plat:

"YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE BY THE COUNTY AS TO THE FREEDOM OF ANY AREA IN THE COUNTY FROM POTENTIAL FLOODS WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF THOSE AREAS LISTED IN ARTICLE 2, SECTION 34-36 OF THE ORDINANCE. YOU ARE ENCOURRAGED TO SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF A PRIVATE ENGINEER, SURVEYOR OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL IN DETERMINING THE SAFETY OF THE AREA IN WHICH YOU PROPOSE TO LOCATE YOUR HOME AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF FLOODING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FLOOD INSURANCE. SCREVEN COUNTY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIBILITY FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS YOU MAY INCUR IN BUILDING IN AN AREA SUBJECT TO FLOODING".

B.

Prior approval: No construction or land disturbing activity of any kind or building construction shall begin on any land subject to these regulations without prior approval and implementation of the preliminary plat/plan and soil erosion and sedimentation control plan where required by local, state or federal laws or regulations.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

Where applicable, grading and land disturbing operations may commence once approval of the preliminary plat/plan and soil erosion and sedimentation control plan are granted. Soil erosion and sedimentation control measures prescribed in the soil erosion and sedimentation control plan must be installed prior to any land disturbing activity, where applicable.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

Utility installation shall not occur until the building inspector or county road superintendent has approved the rough grade of the street and shoulder preparation.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)

A.

Periodic inspections during the installation of the required improvements in a subdivision or planned development shall be made by the building or zoning official to ensure conformity with the approved plans and specifications. The subdivider and/or the developer shall notify the building and zoning official when each phase of the development is completed and ready for inspection. No work shall be covered until all inspections are completed and approved.

B.

No lot or parcel of land shall be sold or transferred or building permit issued until the final plat, of which such lot is a part, shall have been approved and recorded as provided for in these regulations.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)