The spread of development and the increasing demands upon natural resources have had the effect of encroaching upon, despoiling, or eliminating many of the trees and other forms of vegetation and natural resources and processes associated therewith, which, if preserved and maintained in an undisturbed and natural conditions, constitute important physical, aesthetic, recreation, and economic assets to existing and future residents of Tallulah Falls. The purposes of this section are: to protect the woodlands, (hillsides, streams and geologic features) of Tallulah Falls for their economic support of local property values when allowed to remain undisturbed for their natural beauty, wilderness character, geological, ecological, or historical significance; to provide for protection of the vast undeveloped land under present ownership of Georgia Power Company; to provide for the paramount public concern for these natural resources in the interest of health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Tallulah Falls. It is the intent of this district to permit small scale silvicultural activities which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this article. Sensitive lands as shown on the official zoning map are generally lands containing severe slopes (40—50% and more) or are in such areas where substantial clearing of land could have an adverse effect on surface waters and watersheds.

Except as hereinafter provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person without obtaining a written permit from the zoning administrative officer to perform any stripping, remove or permit to be removed any trees or understory, with the exception of yard maintenance within the SL district; provided however, that no permit shall be required under this ordinance for the removal or trimming of dead, diseased or damaged trees or other woody vegetation, nor shall a permit be required for the removal of healthy, mature trees where documented need exists to stop the spread of insects or disease within or to other forested areas. Any such removal or trimming shall be the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose, shall be consistent with "Recommended Best Management Practices for Forestry in Georgia" as published by the Georgia Forestry Commission, and shall not be done until submittal of a site plan to the zoning administrative officer bearing the seal or signature of a registered professional forester or the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Since the environmental values, soil characteristics, tree growth, and related natural resources parameters will remain unique for each parcel of land and for each development application, each permit application shall be reviewed on an individual basis. Nonetheless, the following criteria must be considered and balanced with respect to each permit application under this section:

1.

Residential living units shall blend into the natural setting of the landscape for the enhancement of sound orderly economic growth and development and for the protection of natural scenic beauty which is the basis for the economy in the Town of Tallulah Falls.

2.

The protection and conservation of vegetation and irreplaceable natural resources from pollution, impairment, or destruction shall remain the paramount factor.

3.

The relationship of streets, highways, and other transportation corridors to the SL district shall be considered along with alternatives for new transportation routes and for the location of the proposed development.

4.

The physical geologic and man-made features, both on site and the surrounding area, shall be considered. These considerations shall include location of dams, possible land slide or land slump areas, falling rock areas, and any other potentially hazardous condition. Also, scenic views, vistas and aesthetically pleasing landscape shall be considered.

5.

All recommendations by the planning commission under this section shall be consistent with the total, comprehensive community planning for the Town of Tallulah Falls.

6.

The burden of demonstrating that there are no feasible and prudent development alternatives to that proposed in a permit application under the ordinance and that denial of any requested permit will prevent an owner of property in the Town of Tallulah Falls from securing a reasonable or fair economic return from his property shall be on the applicant.

1.

Conservation of soil, vegetation, water, fish, and wildlife.

2.

Driveways and roads where alternative means of access are proven to be impractical.

3.

Operation and maintenance of existing dams and other water control devices, if in compliance with state statutes.

4.

Outdoor recreation, camping, field trails for nature study, hiking and horseback riding, boating, trapping, hunting, and fishing, where otherwise legally permitted and regulated.

5.

Single-family residences with a minimum lot size of three acres, but not including mobile homes. Manufactured and modular homes shall meet the criteria specified for manufactured/modular homes in the R-I district.

6.

Restricted forestry and silvicultural activities, subject to the permit requirements of section 1302, consistent with the permit standards established in section 1303, consistent with "Recommended Best Management Practices for Forestry in Georgia" as published by the Georgia Forestry Commission, and subject to the submittal of a site plan to the zoning administrative officer bearing the seal or signature of a registered professional forestry or the Georgia Forestry Commission as described below:

a.

Prescribed burning, bushhogging, understory removal, planting of wildlife openings, plowing of firebreaks, and natural or artificial reforestation activities.

b.

Total tree removal on slopes of less than twenty percent in areas not to exceed five (5) acres; and partial selective tree removal (where existing tree density is not decreased by more than fifty percent) on slopes between twenty percent and less than forty percent in areas not to exceed three acres; provided such tree removal shall be situated in areas to minimize adverse aesthetic impacts, set back a minimum of 100 feet from any property line, set back a minimum of 200 feet from any perennial or intermittent stream indicated on a United States Geological Survey quadrangle map, and setback a minimum of 300 feet from any R-I zoning district boundary.

With any given lot zoned SL, sensitive land district, no more than twenty (20%) percent of the mature, healthy, existing trees, as defined, which are located on said lot, shall be cut, damaged, or destroyed.

The impervious surface coverage, as defined by these regulations, shall not exceed 7.5% of the total land area of a given lot.

In accordance with article XV of this ordinance.