PDR districts are intended to establish and provide for a comprehensive planned unit development (PUD) which encourages the best possible site plans and building arrangement for residential and recreational use under a unified plan of development. Such developments are sensitive to, and take into consideration, interrelationships between the natural environment, different architectural styles, relative scales of various structures, and the larger community setting in which the PDR is situated.

A.

The following uses are permitted in PDR district:

1.

Single-family dwellings, manufactured homes.

2.

Hotels and motels.

3.

Conference buildings.

4.

Media buildings.

5.

Condominiums, townhouses.

6.

Cluster style single-family dwellings.

7.

Recreational facilities.

8.

Golf courses.

9.

Riding stables.

10.

Country clubs.

11.

Restaurants with bars.

12.

Personal care homes, nursing homes.

13.

Manufactured home communities established according to Screven County Manufactured Home Ordinance No. 98-08. In the case of conflict between the requirements of that ordinance and the development standards for the PDR zoning district, the more restrictive requirement shall apply.

14.

Utility substation meeting the following development standards:

a.

Structures must be placed at least 30 feet from all property lines.

b.

Structures must be enclosed by a woven wire fence at least eight feet high with bottom of fence either flush with the ground or with a masonry footing.

c.

No vehicles or equipment may be stored on the lot.

d.

A buffer 25-foot minimum must be maintained along the side and rear property lines.

e.

Lot size may be reduced to not less than 0.5 acre for utility substations provided other development standards are met and, if a private well is to be placed on the lot, the lot size is sufficient to support a well consistent with the other provisions of this ordinance, other ordinances, and the laws and regulations of the State of Georgia.

15.

Schools, churches, synagogues, chapels, or other places of religious worship or educational instruction meeting the following development standards:

a.

It must be located on either arterial or collector road.

b.

The lot must have a minimum road frontage of 200 feet.

c.

The lot must have an area of at least two and one-half acres, unless a cemetery is adjacent then five acre lot size is required.

d.

Off street parking shall be provided as set forth in the parking section of this ordinance.

e.

All buildings must be located at least 50 feet from any property line.

f.

A buffer of 25-foot minimum must be provided along all side and rear property line.

g.

No property line in which any proposed church is to be established shall be located within 300 feet of the main entrance of an establishment which has been licensed for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

B.

The following permitted uses are permitted as conditional uses in PDR District.

1.

None.

C.

The following accessory uses are permitted in PDR district:

1.

Accessory buildings and shops.

D.

All accessory uses must meet the following standards:

1.

They must comply with the setback requirements of this district.

2.

Accessory buildings not attached to the principal building must be located at least 12 feet from the principal building on the lot.

3.

They must be located in the rear yard.

E.

All uses not permitted within PDR districts by this section are specifically prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2003-06, § 3, 4-8-2003)

A.

Preapplication conference. Prior to filing a formal application for a PDR, the applicant shall confer with the zoning administrator and the planning and zoning commission in order to review the general character of the plan (on the basis of tentative land use sketch if available), and to obtain information on development standards and ordinances affecting the proposed project.

B.

Submission of application for PDR approval and subsequent development of such rezoned property.

1.

Conceptual site plan, to be submitted with the original rezoning application, to include:

a.

A location map showing all principal arterial highways within two miles of the proposed PDR property (no scale required).

b.

Topography, at ten-foot contour intervals, which may be interpreted from the U.S.G.A. maps as well as other recognized sources.

c.

Location of natural features such as streams, lakes, swamps, and a certification by a licensed, registered civil engineer, under his certification and seal that the proposed development will not adversely affect (i) adjoining property or (ii) any property or structure within the proposed subdivision.

d.

Dimensions of the boundaries of the proposed PDR.

e.

Date, north arrow, and datum.

f.

Scale of site plan.

g.

Name, address, and telephone number of the owner's representative who is capable of answering questions about the site plan.

h.

General layout of proposed major streets/driveways.

i.

Location and description of proposed recreational and buffer areas.

j.

Acreage of property, and proposed number of residential lots, dwellings units, and/or mobile home spaces (if applicable).

k.

Location of all buildings and other types of structures which are to be considered.

l.

Location and acreage of all major utility easements.

m.

Approximate location of proposed common driveways and parking areas.

n.

Approximate location(s) and description(s) of major or significant bodies of water located on property of the proposed PDR.

o.

Approximate boundaries, and dimensions of said boundaries, of each specific use area proposed for the PDR.

p.

The number of dwelling units to be allowed, listed by type of structure, for each proposed residential use.

q.

Acreage for each of the proposed use areas.

2.

Predevelopment site plan, to be prepared once the zoning is approved, to include the following:

a.

Name, address, and telephone number of the surveyor and/or engineer in charge of the project.

b.

Present zoning of the property proposed for the PDR and any special conditions attached to said zoning.

c.

Location of natural features such as streams, lakes, swamps, and a certification by a licensed, registered civil engineer, under his certification and seal that the proposed development will not adversely affect (i) adjoining property or (ii) any property or structure within the proposed subdivision.

d.

Locations, dimensions, and square footage of all proposed structures.

e.

Locations and widths of all proposed private streets and roads.

f.

Location, dimensions, and character of all proposed buffer areas.

g.

Square footage of all buildings and structures on the proposed project site.

h.

Such other information as the planning and zoning commission or the Screven County Board of Commissioners may determine to be necessary to comply with this chapter.

i.

All predevelopment site plans must be drawn to scale.

j.

All requirements in the conceptual site plan.

3.

Final as-built site plans shall be required for all PDRs, and shall be to the same scale and shall contain the same information as the predevelopment site plans for the same project. The zoning administrator and/or building official may, if deemed appropriate, accept a certification by the owner(s) and the surveyor/engineer that the project was built in conformity with the approved predevelopment site plans, except for approved specific changes indicated on the plans.

C.

Review and approval of PDR application.

1.

An application for approval of a PDR is treated as an application for an amendment to this ordinance (rezoning). This is because PDR districts are created only upon request of a developer, whose application materials demonstrate a firm commitment to construction of a well-designed PDR. Upon approval of the PDR, existing zoning must be changed to a PDR zone which is an amendment to the ordinance. The amendment procedures contained in section[s] 304 and 414 must be followed in granting the amendment to permit the PDR. Approval of PDR zoning shall in every instance be conditioned by the site development plan approved by the board of commissioners.

2.

If the development plan is approved as submitted, the official map will be changed to indicate the PDR district (section 304). If the plan is approved with modifications, the applicant must file with the zoning administrator the following:

a.

Written notice of consent to the modifications.

b.

Properly revised site development plans.

3.

The official map will then be changed (section 304). The site plan and supporting information of any approved plan will be properly identified and permanently filed with the zoning administrator.

4.

No building permits will be issued by the building official until the development plan has been approved by the board of commissioners.

D.

Issuance of building permits. The building official will issue building permits for buildings and structures in the area covered by the approved development plan if the proposed buildings and structures are in conformity with the approved development plan, the development schedule, and all other applicable regulations. (See section 408.)

E.

Revision of development plan after approval of plan.

1.

Minor extensions, alterations, or modifications of existing buildings or structures may be permitted after review and approval by the planning and zoning commission; such changes must be consistent with the purposes and intent of the development plan.

2.

Any major or substantial change in the approved development plan which affects the intent and character of the development, the density of land use pattern, the location or dimensions of streets, or similar substantial changes must be reviewed and approved by the board of commissioners after receipt of recommendations from the planning and zoning commission in accordance with the provisions of sections 414 and 1702. A request for a revision of the development plan must be supported by a written statement indicating the nature of the revision and the reasons it is considered necessary or desirable to revise the development.

(Ord. of 9-25-07)

In addition to the development standards contained in article 4 of this ordinance, the following standards are required within PDR districts:

H.

(Reserved).

I.

Sight distance: Within 30 feet of an intersection's pavement edge, plants cannot be of a type which will obstruct the view of vehicular traffic. There may be some flexibility in regard to the maximum trunk diameter when protected by a guardrail or some other suitable type barrier beyond 30 feet from intersection's pavement edge. Almost any type of planted vegetation is permissible.

J.

Applicability to land and buildings: 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.

K.

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.

L.

Only one site-built, single-family, detached dwelling or manufactured home, and accessory buildings related to said dwelling or home, may be erected on any residential lot in the PDR district. Where a non-residential use is permitted, more than one nonresidential principal building and its accessory buildings may be erected on a lot in a PDR zoning district.

M.

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 the ordinance. Shrubbery, driveways, retaining walls, fences, curbs, and buffers (see definition in article 2) 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.

N.

Reduction of yards or lot area: Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, a lot existing at the time of passage of this ordinance may not be reduced, divided, or changed so 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.

O.

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.

P.

Landlocked lots: PDR shall not be permitted on landlocked lots.

Q.

Reserved.

R.

Reserved.

S.

Reserved.

T.

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

U.

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 the zoning administrator for specific requirements.

V.

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]).

W.

Other applicable development regulations: Information concerning any other applicable development regulations may be obtained from the zoning administrator.

X.

Signs: Minimum design and location standards for signs are contained in the Screven County Sign Ordinance. Consult article 18 for specific requirements.

Y.

Special design standards: The following special design standards shall apply in this district as set forth below, provided, however, that if the PDR is to also be a planned manufactured home community, the requirements of the Manufactured Home Ordinance (No. 98-08) shall apply if in conflict with the provisions of this subsection.

1.

Residential building site area requirements. The following building site area requirements shall apply within a PDR:

a.

The minimum building site area shall be one acre when only public water is provided.

b.

The minimum building site area requirement may be reduced to 20,000 square feet if both public water and public sewer are provided.

c.

Frontage on interior roads shall be approved on a case-by-case plan basis by the planning and zoning commission, with final approval by the Screven County Board of Commissioners.

2.

Building and intensity requirements. The following standards shall apply to all PDRs:

a.

The minimum total acreage for a PDR shall be five acres.

b.

Setback from county right(s)-of-way for all buildings and structures shall be a minimum of 100 feet.

c.

Setback from side to rear property boundaries for all buildings and structures shall be a minimum of 100 feet.

d.

The property on which the PDR is situated shall have a minimum of 300 continuous feet of road frontage on a major county, state, or federal road.

e.

Maximum ground coverage shall be 40 percent.

f.

Maximum gross density of development shall not exceed that density allowed under corresponding districts for various single purpose zones in the Code of Ordinances of Screven County.

3.

Minimum floor area required. The following minimum floor areas shall apply for all PDRs:

a.

For single-family dwellings, residential industrialized buildings, and manufactured homes, the minimum floor area shall be 1,000 square feet.

b.

For multiple-family dwellings, the minimum floor area per unit shall be:

i.

Eight hundred square feet of floor area for one-bedroom units.

ii.

Nine hundred fifty square feet of floor area for two-bedroom units.

iii.

Two hundred additional square feet of floor area for each bedroom in excess of two for those units which have more than two bedrooms.

4.

Interior roads. The following standards apply to all interior roads within a PDR:

a.

Adequate interior roads and driveways shall connect each parking space with a public right-of-way.

b.

The property's owner(s), its heir(s), and its assign(s) shall retain sole responsibility to ensure that suitable right-of-way is maintained from the public roads and/or streets to the structures within the PDR so as to enable emergency vehicles to safely reach such structures.

c.

An affidavit, attesting to such safe access by emergency vehicles as delineated in subsection 2 above, shall be filed along with other real estate records filed with the superior court, under the name of the then current owner.

d.

The construction of interior streets shall conform to the standards in use by the county for the construction of county roads.

5.

Parking. The following standards apply to parking within all PDRs:

a.

Off-street and off-road parking shall be provided for all residential dwellings.

b.

Places of public assembly, where fixed seats are not provided, shall have one parking space for each 50 square feet.

c.

Restaurants and taverns shall have one parking space for each three seats, plus one parking space for each employee on the largest shift.

d.

Hotels and motels shall have one parking space for each unit, plus:

i.

One parking space for every two employees on the largest shift.

ii.

One parking space for the first 5,000 square feet of floor area.

iii.

One parking space for each 50,000 square feet, in excess of the first 5,000 square feet, for loading and unloading.

e.

In addition to other requirements under this sections, all lots which have parking spaces for more than 40 vehicles shall include at least one parking space designated for use by handicapped persons.

6.

Water. All PDRs must have public or community water.

7.

Sewer. Public sewer and/or sanitation of the property shall be required pursuant to, and in accordance with, regulations promulgated by the Screven County Health Department and/or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, as such regulations now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

8.

Landscaping and buffer areas. The following standards shall apply with reference to landscaping and/or buffer areas within a PDR:

a.

All natural and undisturbed and/or landscaped buffer areas, once installed, may not be reduced or altered except for minor maintenance, as may be authorized under this chapter.

b.

For purposes of this chapter, the term "once installed" shall mean either the time when the natural and undisturbed area is planned, approved, and staked out, or the time when the landscaped area is approved and planted.

9.

Common open space requirements. The following standards shall apply to common open space requirements within a PDR:

a.

Not more than 50 percent of the land reserved as common open space shall be in a floodplain.

b.

The common open space shall be developed and landscaped by, and in accordance with, an approved landscaping plan.

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 15; Ord. of 4-13-2021(2), §§ 28, 29)