Purpose and Intent

The development, redevelopment, or substantial improvements of structures and land uses within the defined area shall comply with the guidelines set-forth here-in, creating a pedestrian friendly, aesthetically pleasing downtown/community. The application of the guidelines shall not apply to single-family residential structures.

Boundaries of Redevelopment Area

Central Business District (see map)—CBD.

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All properties fronting on Watson Boulevard, including Commercial Circle (CC), Market Street and Manor Court, GA Highway 247 to Pleasant Hill.

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All properties fronting on the westerly boundary of the right-of-way of GA Highway 247 from Green Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

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All properties fronting on Myrtle Street from Watson Boulevard to Young Avenue.

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All properties fronting on Young Avenue.

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All properties fronting on Davis Drive, North to Green Street and South to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

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All properties fronting on the east side of McArthur Boulevard from Diggs Boulevard to Thomas Boulevard.

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All properties zoned for commercial and industrial use immediately adjacent to the redevelopment area.

Planned Development Area (see map)—PDA, excluding CBD.

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247 North to Green Street and South to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

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Green Street East to 247 and West to Pleasant Hill.

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Pleasant Hill North to Green Street and South to Shirley Drive.

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Shirley Drive West to Pleasant Hill and East to Demon Valley Drive.

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Demon Valley Drive, excluding property owned by the Board of Education and Board of Regents, Warner Robins High School and connecting to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Definitions.

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Access: Sidewalks along all streets in total district. From fifteen (15) feet to twelve (12) feet wide as directed by building official. Driveways for vehicles shall meet the requirements of Georgia DOT or City of Warner Robins zoning regulations.

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Downtown: See description area indicated under central business district.

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Applicability: Shall apply to all properties noted in boundaries, including but not limited to the replacement or alteration, of, or addition to existing buildings or the construction of any new building.

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Billboards/outdoor display signs/off premise signs: Not permitted in RDA District.

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Approval: As defined with-in guidelines.

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Landscape: Planting at streets, buildings and property lines equivalent to ten (10) percent of the property area. Street planting to be located in order not to obstruct visibility and located along right-of-way. Planting on-site to be materials and vegetation as approved by building official.

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Permitted use: See land uses encourage and as allowed in zoning regulations.

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Parking: Off-street and on-street as defined in the City of Warner Robins Zoning Regulations with screening if possible by landscaping or decorative fences.

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Substantial improvement: For the purpose of determining compliance with the provision of the guidelines, any repair, alteration, addition, or improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure, or involves more than thirty-three (33) percent of the gross floor area, before the improvement or repair is started. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either.

1.

Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary, or safety code violations identified by the code official and that is the minimum necessary to insure safe conditions; or

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Any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.

Land Uses Encouraged

CBD.

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Mixed uses: Governmental offices, general offices, medical offices, retail sales (no outside storage), motel/conference center, restaurants, parks, off-street parking, educational facilities, student housing, municipal buildings, loft apartments, religious facilities, or uses allowed per district in the zoning regulations.

PDA.

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Mixed uses: All uses in CBD, apartments (forty (40) units or less), student housing, personal care facilities, shopping centers (not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) square feet), retail sales with repair facilities (screened), movie theaters, indoor sports and recreation facilities, or uses allowed per district in the zoning regulations.

Design Requirements

CBD.

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Building style compatible with older downtown styles from the 1900s and earlier.

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Exposed walls—Brick with natural stone accents, pattern brick.

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Lengthy, featureless facades and building wall are not allowed to exceed seventy-five (75) linear feet.

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Windows—Prefinished materials—Aluminum or vinyl.

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Doors—Prefinished Materials—Aluminum or vinyl.

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Awnings of period style in approved design. Fixed fabric awnings are encouraged to provide additional unity as well as provide visual interest colors should be compatible with the building colors and design.

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Roof—Parapet or sloped (6:12 roof pitch) with prefinished metal.

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Maximum height seventy (70) feet per zoning regulations.

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Lot coverage, setbacks and parking per zoning regulations.

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Roof top or ground mounted equipment to be screened.

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Utility services to be screened from view or located at rear.

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All site furnishings (benches, trash cans and other similar items) to compliment building design.

PDA.

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Building styles as noted in CBD, and later contemporary styles.

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Exterior walls—Brick, EIFS, decorative stone.

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Windows—Prefinished materials—Aluminum or vinyl.

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Doors—Prefinished materials—Aluminum or vinyl.

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Roof—Sloped metal, asphalt shingles, parapet (all exposed sides).

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Maximum height seventy (70) feet per zoning regulations.

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Lot coverage, setbacks and parking per zoning regulations.

Site

CBD.

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Setback—Minimum twelve (12) feet front setback, rear and side per zoning regulations.

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Paved parking per zoning regulations.

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Landscape front (street, building, and sides at corner lots or exposed lots).

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Stamped or brick street sidewalks.

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Decorative exterior lighting (C.C. Style)—Approved lighting list maintained by city engineer.

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Signage per sign ordinance.

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Privacy fencing (same as wall materials) to conceal dumpsters, detaining areas, and parking areas from front of building to rear property lines.

PDA.

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Setback per zoning regulations.

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Paved parking (same as CBD).

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Landscaping (same as CBD).

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Sidewalks (same as CBD).

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Lighting—Match existing (no wood poles).

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Signage per sign ordinance.

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Privacy fencing, (same as wall materials) or compatible with existing (except chain link at rear property line) to screen dumpsters, detaining areas and storage areas.

Submittal Process

Provide a written request for approval of proposed project; include a narrative, drawings to include layout, setbacks, parking, proposed drainage areas, signage, fencing, landscape areas, exterior views, color palate, and other items indicated in the Guidelines. Submit five (5) copies to the building official by the first day of the month and allow fifteen (15) days for a written response.

Approval Process

The request will be reviewed by the building official and advisors selected by the building official and comments will be provided to the applicant. if necessary a conference will be held with the applicant to address and agree upon issues. Letter of plans approval will be provided. Provide an as-built survey and final construction plans (PDF format) to validate project is constructed as approved.

No development permit, land use permit, or building permit shall be issued unless the development, land use, building or structure is in compliance with this ordinance.

Appeal Process

The owner of a building, structure or service system, or his duly authorized agent, may appeal a decision of the building official to the mayor and council whenever any one (1) of the following conditions are claimed to exist:

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The building official rejected or refused to approve the mode or manner of construction proposed to be followed or materials to be used in the installation or alteration of a building, structure or service system.

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The provisions of the development guidelines do not apply to this specific case.

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That an equally good or more desirable form of installation can be employed in any specific case.

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The true intent and meaning of the development guidelines have been misconstrued or incorrectly interpreted.

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Notice of appeal shall be in writing and filed within thirty (30) calendar days after the decision is rendered by the building official.

(Ord. No. 04-15, § 1, 2-17-15)