§ 1203. Development standards for GC districts.

The following standards are required within GC districts:

A.	Minimum heated floor
	area for buildings:		1,000 square feet.
B.	Minimum lot area:
	1.	Private water and sewer:	30,000 square feet and as specified by the Screven County Health Department.
	2.	Public water and sewer:	12,000 square feet
	3.	Public water only:	20,000 square feet
C.	Minimum lot width:		100 feet.
D.	Minimum front yard setback:		35 feet.
E.	Minimum side yard setback:		15 feet (interior)
			35 feet (street).
F.	Minimum rear yard setback:		15 feet.

 

G.

Maximum building height: Maximum building height shall not exceed 45 feet. This height limit does not apply to projections not intended for human habitation. For buildings and structures with such projections, the minimum required yards must be increased one foot for every two feet (or part of two feet) of height greater than 45 feet.

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 [the] 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.

Multiple principal buildings on commercial lots: More than one principal building and its accessory buildings may be erected on a lot in a GC zoning district, except for single-family dwellings.

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: In the case of a landlocked lot (lot without direct access to a public street or road) lawfully existing as of the effective date of this ordinance, the property owner is entitled to one building permit, as long as all of the following requirements are met:

1.

No other principal building exists or is being constructed on the property.

2.

No other valid building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance and is currently valid.

3.

The property was and continues to be under single ownership since the effective date of this ordinance.

4.

The property owner has acquired a 30-foot easement to a city-, county-, or state-maintained street or road, and the easement has been duly recorded and made a part of the property deed.

5.

In the event the property is divided, no additional permits will be issued.

Q.

Street frontage: No principal building may be erected on any lot which has less than 30 feet of immediate frontage on at least one public street.

R.

Yards and other spaces: No part of a yard, other open space, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building may be included as a part of the yard, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building, except as specifically provided for in this ordinance.

S.

Substandard lots: Any lot existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance, which has an area or a width which is less than required by this ordinance, is subject to the following exceptions and modifications:

1.

Adjoining lots in same ownership: When two or more adjoining and vacant lots within a nonapproved development with continuous frontage are in a single ownership at the time of application and such lots have a frontage or lot area less than is required by the district in which they are located, such lots must be replatted or reparceled so as to create one or more lots which conform to the minimum frontage and area requirements of the district;

2.

Single lot: When a lot has an area or frontage which does not conform with the requirements of the district in which it is located, but was a lot at the effective date of this ordinance, such a lot may be used for any use allowed in the zoning district in which it is located as long as all other requirements of this ordinance are met.

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 that document [article 18 of this appendix] for specific requirements.

Y.

(Reserved).

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 25)