The Zoning Ordinance establishes the following zoning districts within Watkinsville:

A.

The City of Watkinsville CONCEPT PLAN, September 2006, and adopted by City Council on January 10, 2007, is adopted by reference as if fully set out herein and includes the FUTURE LAND USE MAP for the City of Watkinsville.

B.

The FUTURE LAND USE MAP shall reasonably relate to the City of Watkinsville Zoning Map.

C.

The CONCEPT PLAN defines 12 character areas within the city. Development characteristics for each district are identified in the CONCEPT PLAN. The 12 character areas are as follows:

1.

Attached Residential.

a.

This district is intended primarily for ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL units developed at a maximum of 6 dwelling units per acre, typically ROWHOUSE, TOWNHOUSE, or similar type development, but, not including DUPLEX development.

b.

This area may also be appropriate for small LOT single-family DETACHEDRESIDENTIAL units (provided the development is compatible with surrounding land uses), including NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, OPEN SPACE, or PLAYGROUNDS.

2.

Cultural Arts Preservation District.

a.

The primary focus of this overlay district is to preserve the Oconee Cultural Arts Preservation District Foundation (OCAF) as the focal point of the district.

b.

The underlying Downtown land use classification addresses the general principles of the desired development patterns in the area while the overlay district illustrates the desire to retain and enhance the aesthetic qualities of the area with an emphasis on scaling new and redevelopment projects with the OCAF facilities and the existing houses in the area.

c.

A key feature of development within the district is a focus on alternative modes of transportation creating a pleasant and unique pedestrian environment.

3.

Corridor Commercial.

a.

This district is intended primarily for LARGE-SCALE RETAIL development that is more AUTO-ORIENTED in nature, requiring increased visibility and road access.

b.

The designation targets retail, service and office development that is incompatible with the Downtown environment and require additional space to accommodate their activity.

4.

Detached Residential.

a.

This district is intended primarily for a variety of DETACHED RESIDENTIAL units providing a mix of housing types and values.

b.

This area is also appropriate for supportive land uses servicing the neighborhood population such as NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, FIRE STATIONS, DAY CARE CENTERS and DAY CARE HOMES, as part of the effort to create complete neighborhoods.

5.

Downtown.

a.

Downtown is intended to be the civic and commercial heart of Watkinsville with a focus on retail and services to provide for local needs. Office, civic, residential, entertainment, and recreational uses shall also be incorporated into the district.

6.

Employment Center.

a.

This district is intended primarily for LARGE-SCALE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, wholesale, and office uses that may be land intensive, generate high consumer traffic, or create other impacts associated with manufacturing and production uses.

7.

Historic Main Street.

a.

This district is intended primarily for small-scale retail and office development that is pedestrian oriented in nature, and compatible with the historic character of the city.

b.

Residential uses may also be compatible within the district focusing on live-work and accessory units. DETACHED RESIDENTIAL may be allowable provided it retains the scale and character of the Historic Main Street area but the primary focus is on Commercial activities.

c.

The district is located along Main Street Watkinsville and comprises a number of HISTORIC STRUCTURES that contribute to the city's cultural resources. The city's vision, goals and objectives illustrate the desire to retain the "small-town feel" expressed by the Main Street Corridor.

8.

Mixed Use Office.

a.

The Mixed Use Office district is for a mix of offices, professional services, and residential uses designed at a pedestrian scale. Primary uses shall include office and professional activities that generate higher employment densities than retail sales and services while encouraging a creative mix of compatible residential uses. Residential uses are to higher density, ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL clustered along the edge of the district and should serve as a buffer between the more intense nonresidential uses and any adjacent stream and any contiguous lower intensity residential area.

9.

Public Institutional.

a.

This district represents the various civic functions scattered throughout the city. The concept map illustrates the existing and proposed locations of civic functions, including the following: county and city government offices, library, school, law enforcement, emergency services, churches, and other areas owned or operated by city or county government.

b.

The concept map has identified an area for expansion for large-scale county or municipal government uses adjacent to existing developments. Smaller scale government administration offices generating higher point of service demand should remain clustered downtown strengthening its location as a vibrant hub of the community.

10.

Parks, Recreation, Conservation.

a.

COMMUNITY PARKS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, recreation, low-impact agriculture, and CONSERVATION AREAS are dedicated to passive or active recreation uses or for the preservation of ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. Parks and recreation areas may be defined as COMMUNITY PARKS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, or GREENSPACE, or LIMITED AGRICULTURE.

11.

Simonton Bridge Road.

a.

This residential corridor is located along a thoroughfare providing access to the downtown area exhibiting scenic qualities representative of the city's historic and natural character. The intent of the SIMONTON BRIDGE SCENIC CORRIDOR is the preservation of existing neighborhoods and HISTORIC STRUCTURES and natural resources. The district allows detached residential units and their customary accessory uses and structures.

12.

South Main Street Scenic Corridor.

a.

This corridor is located along a thoroughfare providing access to the downtown area exhibiting scenic qualities representative of the city's historic and natural character. The intent of the corridor is the preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the existing HISTORIC STRUCTURES as a part of all new or redevelopment projects and the preservation and restoration of the natural resources along the identified roadway.

b.

The corridor is intended primarily for residential uses while allowing limited small-scale, convenience-type retail sales and services as well as cafés and SMALL RESTAURANTS. Non- residential uses shall not be standalone uses and must be an accessory component of the principal residential use.

c.

In order to maintain the character of the corridor, development in this district shall not require the installation of acceleration or deceleration lanes.