The R-1 low-Density Residential District is composed chiefly of low-density residential areas of the City plus certain open areas where similar residential development is designated by the Land Use Plan. The regulations for this district are designed to encourage similar and complimentary type residential development together with the recreation, religious and educational facilities desirable in a neighborhood.

A.

Uses Permitted. In the R-1 Low-Density Residential District the following uses are permitted:

(1)

Single-family dwellings, except mobile homes.

(2)

Churches, fraternal organizations and clubs not operating for profit.

(3)

Customary accessory buildings related to uses permitted in the district.

(4)

Home occupations.

(5)

Public buildings, structures and grounds.

(6)

Schools, including private schools.

(7)

Nursery schools and kindergartens, provided that at least one hundred [and] fifty square feet of outdoor play area is provided or each child and that such play area is enclosed by a fence of no less than three feet, six inches (3'6") in height.

(8)

Railroad lines.

(9)

Public utility substations.

(10)

Agricultural purposes, including field crop farming, forestry and truck gardening, but not including the care and handling of animals.

(11)

Chickens. Only four hens per ½ acre of land. Roosters are prohibited. Housing must be kept in the rear yard using setbacks established in this section. Care and housing must be maintained to the specifications of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension guidelines. Residents may keep chickens only after filling out the appropriate documentation with the city and with written permission by the property owner. Chickens must be confined to the property and not free range. Failure to comply with these guidelines will constitute a nuisance and will be handled as such from Chapter 22. Nuisances.

(Ord. of 08-05-2019(1))

The R-2 Single-Family Residential—Mobile Home District is to provide distinct areas in the city for both conventional single-family homes and mobile homes. Such areas currently exist within the city and it is hereby a policy of the city to provide for the continuance of these areas and to protect them from encroachment of incompatible uses.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in R-2, Single-Family Residential—Mobile Home Districts shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

Single-family dwellings.

(2)

Single-family mobile homes on individual lots subject to the placement provisions of Section 7.9.

(3)

Parks and playgrounds.

(4)

Country clubs, golf courses.

(5)

General purpose farm or garden, but not the keeping of poultry or non-domestic animals.

(6)

Accessory uses and structures.

(7)

Chickens. Only four hens per ½ acre of land. Roosters are prohibited. Housing must be kept in the rear yard using setbacks established in this section. Care and housing must be maintained to the specifications of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension guidelines. Residents may keep chickens only after filling out the appropriate documentation with the city and with written permission by the property owner. Chickens must be confined to the property and not free range. Failure to comply with these guidelines will constitute a nuisance and will be handled as such from Chapter 22. Nuisances.

(Ord. of 08-05-2019(1))

The R-3 Medium-High Density Residential District provides areas for duplexes, apartments, townhouses and condominium dwellings of medium to high density. This district's regulations are designed to encourage the formation and continuance of a stable and healthy residential environment while discouraging the encroachment of uses capable of adversely affecting the district's character.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in R-3 Medium-High Density Residential District shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

Motel or hotel.

(2)

Retail or wholesale trade establishment.

(3)

Repair and maintenance services but not including the storage of junk vehicles or otherwise inoperable vehicles.

(4)

Office buildings for business, governmental, professional or other general purposes.

(5)

Personal or business service establishment.

(6)

Eating establishment.

(7)

Financial institution.

(8)

Parks.

The B-1 Central Business District is intended to promote and protect the commercial core of the city; to provide areas where businesses are oriented to the pedestrian, not the automobile; to provide for the intense use of property by not requiring building setbacks and to provide an area for businesses which benefit from proximity to one another.

A.

Uses Permitted.

(1)

Motel or hotel.

(2)

Retail or wholesale trade establishment.

(3)

Repair and maintenance services but not including the storage of junk vehicles or otherwise inoperable vehicles.

(4)

Office buildings for business, governmental, professional or other general purposes.

(5)

Personal or business service establishment.

(6)

Eating establishment.

(7)

Financial institution.

(8)

Parks.

The B-2 Roadside Business District is intended primarily for the development of those business activities which mainly cater to the traveling public and which should be located on a major street.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in the B-2 Roadside Business District shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

Uses permitted in the B-1 District.

(2)

Dwellings, including mobile homes and mobile home parks. All mobile homes shall conform to the standards required by Section 6.2 B.

(3)

Theaters or similar places of assembly when conducted completely within enclosed buildings.

The I-1 Light Industrial District is intended for the development of light manufacturing, wholesale and service establishments which do not create a nuisance but are appropriate for location on a major street or highway. Light manufacturing operations are those which utilize processed materials for assembly or fabrication in their operations as opposed to the processing of raw materials.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in the I-1 Light Industrial District shall be used for following purposes:

(1)

Building material sales yard and lumber yard, including the sale of rock, sand, gravel and the like.

(2)

Food and kindred processing plants.

(3)

Contractor's equipment storage yard or plant, and with equipment commonly used by contractors.

(4)

Freight, truck yard or terminal.

(5)

Warehouse and wholesale establishments.

(6)

Public utilities, including buildings, necessary structures, storage yards and other related uses.

(7)

Research or experimental stations and laboratories.

(8)

Radio and/or television station with transmission towers.

(9)

Office buildings for business, governmental, professional, or other general purpose.

The I-2 General Industrial District is intended for the development of those heavy commercial and industrial establishments which may create some nuisance and which are not properly associated with or compatible with any of the development proposed for the other land use districts. This district is intended to accommodate the manufacturing or processing of raw materials.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in the I-2 General Industrial District shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

All uses permitted in the I-1 General Industrial District.

(2)

Any industrial use which involves manufacturing, processing or assembly operations, or the storage and sale of raw or heavy materials, products or equipment.

It is the purpose of the M-H Mobile Home Park District to provide sites for mobile homes in mobile home parks. This district establishes standards of performance and promotes the desirable benefits which planned mobile home developments may have upon the community and residents within them. It is further the intent of this district to ensure the interdependency and compatibility of proposed mobile home developments with essential utilities and surrounding land uses in the city.

A.

Uses Permitted. In the M-H Mobile Home Park District. The following uses are permitted:

(1)

Mobile home parks (See article Three, Definitions).

(2)

Parks and Playgrounds.

(3)

Laundromats.

B.

Special Permit Uses. The following uses may be permitted in accordance with provisions contained in Article Eight, Section 8.5, and if additional conditions which may be required are met:

(1)

Uses which are in keeping with the intent of this district and which will serve exclusively the residents of that particular M-H district.

District Intent. To provide land for the production of agricultural products such as field crops, livestock, poultry and other conventional agricultural and forestry pursuits. This district is also created to assist in the conservation of natural resources by encouraging practices which will conserve soil and water resources. Utilities other than electricity and telephone should be provided by the land user in order to discourage the costly extension of public water supply and sewage disposal facilities.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in an A-F, General Agriculture-Forestry District shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

Dwelling structure for farm owner, family or employee (including mobile homes).

(2)

All agricultural-forestry land uses, buildings and activities.

(3)

Churches.

(4)

Cemeteries.

(5)

Tree farms.

(6)

Riding stables.

(7)

Home occupations.

(8)

Parks, playgrounds.

(9)

Country clubs, golf courses.

(10)

Hunting, fishing clubs or lodges.

(11)

Kennels, commercial.

(12)

Accessory buildings and structures (must conform to area regulations—see Article Six).

B.

Special Permit Uses. The following uses may be permitted in accordance with provisions contained in Article Eight, Section 8.5 and if additional conditions which may be required are met:

(1)

Public buildings and utilities.

(2)

Stadiums or race tracks.

(3)

Radio or television stations.

(4)

Airfields.

(5)

Mineral Extraction industries (mining operations).

District Intent. This district is created to serve predominantly the needs of inter-regional traffic at interchanges on limited access thoroughfares. The uses allowed in this district should be limited to the needs of truckers and travelers, which are food, service, fuel and lodging.

A.

Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in a C-I, Interchange Commercial District shall be used for the following purposes:

(1)

Filling Stations.

(2)

Auto or truck repair shops.

(3)

Restaurants and lounges.

(4)

Hotels and motels.

(5)

Gift shops.

(6)

Tent and trailer campgrounds.

(7)

Accessory uses and structures incidental to the above uses.

B.

Special Permit Uses. The following uses may be permitted in accordance with the provisions contained in Article Eight, Section 8.5 and if additional conditions which may be required are met:

(1)

Churches.

(2)

Banks.

(3)

Professional and business offices.

(4)

Plant nurseries.

District Intent. This district is reserved for establishment of shopping centers, planned residential areas, planned industrial developments and similar types of large-scale compatible use developments. The regulations are designed to permit the greatest latitude possible with respect to internal site planning considerations and location of these developments within the City in the interest of long-range development. This district encourages innovations in residential and non-residential development so that growing demands for housing and commercial areas may be met by a greater variety in type, design, and layout of buildings and by the conservation and more efficient use of open space as well as other natural amenities. Land for PD Districts must be obtained by the rezoning process (see Article Nine, Amendments).

A.

Specific Requirements. In order to qualify for a Planned Development zoning classification, a proposed planned development must first meet the following requirements:

(1)

The site utilized for Planned Developments must contain an area of not less than four acres.

(2)

The site must have a minimum width between any two opposite boundary lines of 300 feet and must adjoin or have direct access to at least one improved public street.

(3)

The application for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance shall be filed jointly by all of the owners of the properties included in the Planned Development.

(4)

A suitable plot plan shall be submitted by the developers for review and approval by the Planning Commission and the City Council.

(5)

A written report shall be submitted by the developers for review and approval by the Planning Commission and the city Council.

B.

Application for Amendment.

(1)

Any request pertaining to establishing a PD District shall be considered an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and shall be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in Article Nine, Amendments.

(2)

All information required in subsections 5.11D and 5.11F shall be submitted to the Planning Commission and subsequently forwarded to the City Council with the recommendations of the Planning Commission.

(3)

If approved by the City Council, all information pertaining to the proposal shall be adopted as an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, to be the standards of development for that particular Planned Development District.

(4)

Before approval of a Planned Development District, the City Council may require a contract with safeguards satisfactory to the City Attorney guaranteeing completion of the development according to the criteria listed herein. Such guarantee may include the submission of a performance bond in an amount set by the City Council.

C.

Sketch Plan for Planned Development. Prior to the filing of a plot plan for planned development, a sketch plan may be submitted to the City Building Inspector for review and recommendation and to the Planning Commission, if requested. The sketch plan may be a free-hand pencil sketch. When submitted, the sketch plan shall include the following information.

(1)

General information items:

(a)

Name of the proposed development and developers.

(b)

A north arrow.

(c)

The boundary lines of the proposed development.

(d)

The locations, name and right-of-way width of any existing streets within or adjacent to the proposed development.

(2)

Proposed building sites and sizes, and the proposed layout of roads, parking areas and other features in relation to existing conditions.

(3)

Types of uses proposed for buildings and structures.

(4)

Proposed means of water and sewage disposal.

D.

Plot Plan for Planned Development. The plot plan drawn to scale (1" equals 100' or 1" equals 50') by a registered civil engineer, registered land surveyor or registered architect shall show the exact dimensions of the parcel or parcels of land under consideration. The plan shall include the following elements:

(1)

General information items:

(a)

Name of development and developers.

(b)

A north arrow.

(c)

Date of field survey.

(d)

Tract boundary lines, dimensions, bearings and angles.

(e)

Reference points to at least two permanent monuments.

(2)

Proposed building sites and sizes.

(3)

Types of uses proposed for buildings and structures.

(4)

All property dimensions.

(5)

Platting and street systems:

(a)

Proposed reservations or dedications for streets.

(b)

Means of ingress and egress.

(c)

Access and circulation arrangements.

(d)

Off-street parking and loading facilities.

(6)

Means of protecting or screening abutting properties, including proposed landscaping.

(7)

Location of proposed reservations, easements or dedications.

(8)

If requested, two foot vertical contour intervals.

E.

Written Report for Planned Development. A written report shall explain the type, nature, intent and characteristics of the proposed development and shall include, where applicable:

(1)

A general description of the proposal.

(2)

A legal description of the site.

(3)

Proposed standards for development including:

(a)

Restrictions on the use of property.

(b)

Density, yard and height requirements.

(c)

Restrictive covenants.

(4)

Proposed dedication or reservation of land for public use, including streets, easements, parks and school sites.

(5)

Exceptions or variations from the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, if any are being requested.

(6)

Plans for the provision of utilities, including water, sewer, and storm drainage facilities.

(7)

Descriptions of percentage of land within the development to be provided for various uses:

(a)

Residential.

(b)

Commercial.

(c)

Industrial.

(d)

Open Space.

(e)

Utilities.

(f)

Parking and Storage.

(g)

Others.

F.

Permitted Uses. Any use proposed by the developer and considered by the planning Commission and City Council as being compatible with surrounding districts and the intent of the proposed PD District may be permitted. Thereafter, the uses permitted in the district shall be restricted to those proposed, approved and adopted according to procedures set forth herein.

G.

General Design Criteria and Development Standards.

(1)

Overall site design should be harmonious in terms of landscaping, enclosure of principal and accessory uses, sizes and street patterns and use relationships.

(2)

Variety in building types, heights, placement on lots and size of open spaces are encouraged if they are conducive to a safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing living environment.

(3)

The average density for residential dwelling units in a PD District should not exceed those set forth in the R-# District, although it may be clustered within the PD District.

(4)

A 50 foot buffer strip with plant cover, trees and/or an attractive fence should be provided by the PD District, unless adjoining use is compatible. For instance, when one family and multi-family dwellings within a PD District are on property adjoining an R-3 District, then no buffer shall be required.

(5)

Within a PD District, the design should include buffers suitable for screening residential areas from commercial or industrial uses when dangers of incompatibility exist.

(6)

The sign and parking regulations of this ordinance should be accepted as minimum standards, and therefore creative improvements are encouraged.

(7)

Shopping centers and other types of planned developments shall not have more than two access points to any one public street, unless unusual circumstances dictate the need for additional access points.

(8)

All access points from a PD District should be located at least 100 feet from the intersection of any street.