§ 26-152. Definitions
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Buffer means a natural or enhanced vegetated area located adjacent to a protected river and containing flora native to that area.
Hazardous material means any substance defined as "hazardous material" by the state department of natural resources pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 12-8-60 et seq.
Hazardous waste means those solid and liquid waste or combinations thereof that may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious, irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness, or which pose a substantial threat to human health when improperly handled.
Land disturbing activity means any operation that involves excavation or filling of land; clearing or vegetation; and construction, rebuilding, or alteration of an existing structure. Land disturbing activity does not include ordinary maintenance and landscaping activities; yard and grounds maintenance, individual home gardens; repairs or minor modifications to a single-family residence; or the cutting of firewood for personal use.
Natural vegetated area means an undeveloped area largely free from human disturbance where naturally occurring vegetation is allowed to remain undisturbed or is enhanced and maintained by human intervention. Activities specifically allowed in such an area include:
(1)
Conservation of preservation of soil, water, vegetation, fish, shellfish, and other wildlife.
(2)
Outdoor recreation activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, bird watching, hiking, boating, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, skeet and trap shooting, education, scientific research, and nature trails.
(3)
Maintenance or repair of lawfully located road, structures, and utilities used in the service of the public, provided that the work is conducted using best management practices to ensure that negative effects on the previous nature of the land shall be minimized.
(4)
Limited excavating, filling and land disturbance necessary for the repair and maintenance of structures necessary to the uses permissible in the area as described in this definition.
Nonconforming use means a land use activity, building, or structure legally established prior to adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived, or subsequent amendment to it that would not otherwise be permissible under the provisions of this article.
Outlay district means a district that applies supplementary regulations to land previously classified as belonging to a specific zoning district or land use category.
Protected river means any perennial river or watercourse with an average annual flow of at least 400 cubic feet per second as determined by appropriate U.S. Geological Survey documents.
River bank means the rising ground, bordering a river, which serves to confine the water to the natural channel during the normal course of flow.
River corridor means all land, inclusive of islands, in areas of a protected river, which serves to confine the water to the natural channel during the normal course of flow. Because stream channels move due to natural processes, the river corridor may shift with time. For the purpose of these standards, the river corridor shall be considered to be fixed at its position at the time of adoption of the river corridor protection plan. Any shift in the location after that time will require a revision of the boundaries of the river corridor at the time of comprehensive plan review by the state department of community affairs.
River corridor protection plan means the part of the local comprehensive plan which deals with the river corridor protection requirements specified in this article.
Sensitive natural areas means any area, as identified by the state department of natural resources, which contains one or more of the following:
(1)
Habitat, including nesting sites, occupied by rare or endangered species;
(2)
Rare or exemplary natural communities;
(3)
Significant landlords, hydroforms, or geological features; or
(4)
Other areas so designated by the state department of natural resources; and which are sensitive or vulnerable to physical or biological alteration.
Setback measurement means the measurement for buffer area which shall be measured horizontally from the uppermost part of the river bank, usually marked by a break in the slope.
Single-family dwelling means a dwelling structure that is designated for the use of one family.
Utility means public or private water or sewer piping systems, water or sewer pumping stations, electric power lines, fuel pipelines, telephone lines, roads, driveways, bridges, river/lake access facilities, stormwater systems, and railroads.
(Ord. No. 99-08, § 2, 6-8-1999)
Cross reference
Definitions generally, § 1-2.