§ 66-292. General land use regulations.

(a)

Minimum lot size.

(1)

No building or other structure designed or used for human occupancy, congregation, or employment or otherwise requiring on-site means of sewage disposal may be constructed on any lot, parcel, or tract of land which does not contain at least three acres and have a width at the building line of at least 200 feet, which may be reduced by the planning commission for lots with radial or curved frontage to no less than 100 feet.

(2)

Where such building or structure shall be connected to an off-site central or public sewer system and water supply, the minimum lot size shall be one-half acre, with a width of at least 100 feet at the building line.

(3)

Family clause exception. A landowner may deed to a family member within two lineal generations and one collateral generation a minimum of one acre from the previously recorded parcel for the construction or placement of a single-family dwelling, provided that a minimum of three acres remain in the original parcel of land. This provision shall be allowed one time per eligible family member for each tract of land to be subdivided. All lots created under this exception shall have a minimum 30 feet ingress and egress easement to a county road.

(b)

Lot modifications for sanitary purposes. Where individual septic tanks or other such on-site disposal facilities are to be used as a means of sewage disposal, the county health officer may require increases in the minimum lot size as necessary to conform to rules and recommendations of the state department of public health. In no case, however, shall the lot size be reduced to less than the required minimum, as established in subsection (a) of this section. Where extreme health hazards are indicated by the site characteristics, the county health officer may disapprove the intended use of the lot or require special types of sewage disposal to be constructed as a prerequisite to the lot being used.

(c)

Building setbacks. As provided in the county zoning ordinance.

(d)

Sewage disposal facility limitations. No more than one single-family residence may be served by a single septic tank.

(e)

Airport. No building or structure, including runway surfaces, used in connection with any private airport shall be located less than 200 feet to any property line and no part of a clear zone or transitional surface shall extend beyond the boundaries of the property of which the runway is located.

(f)

Cellular towers. Broadcasting and communications towers and antennas shall be permitted, provided that the tract of land on which located is sufficient in size to have a lineal dimension from the base of the tower or antennae, or any structure on which the tower or antennae is located, to all property lines equal to or greater than the height of the tower or antennae.

(g)

General business. No building or structure used in connection with any general business use shall be located closer than 150 feet to any front, side or rear property line.

(h)

Extensive business use. No building or structure, including any equipment or materials storage or processing yards or areas, used in connection with any extensive business use shall be located closer than 250 feet to any front, side or rear property line.

(i)

Service station or convenience store with gasoline pumps. No building or structure, including gasoline pumps, used in connection with any automobile service station shall be located closer than 30 feet to any side or rear property line. In no case shall more than two inoperable vehicles be stored on the property unless stored wholly within the building.

(j)

Truckstop. No building or structure, including gasoline pumps, used in connection with any truckstop shall be located closer than 200 feet to any side or rear property line.

(k)

Light industry. No building or structure used in connection with any light industry use shall be located closer than 300 feet to any property line unless the industry is located in a designated industrial park.

(l)

General industry. No building or structure used in connection with any use in the general industry subgroup shall be located closer than 400 feet to any property line unless the industry is located in a designated industrial park.

(m)

Special industry, extractive industry, and mining. No building or structure used in connection with any special industry, extractive industry, or mining, nor any portion of the property, where activity essential to the principal function or such use is conducted, shall be located closer than 500 feet to any property line.

(n)

Salvage yard. The storage, processing or parking of more than two inoperable vehicles is hereby declared to be a salvage yard. The storage, processing or parking of all inoperable vehicles within a salvage yard shall be no closer than 350 feet of any property line. All salvage yards shall be fully enclosed by an opaque wall or fence not less than eight feet in height. The materials and design of such fence shall be approved by the planning commission and shall be compatible with the use of the adjoining properties.

(o)

Sanitary landfills. Because the location and operation of a sanitary landfill has characteristics which may impinge on neighboring activities, land uses, property values, public health and safety, and the transportation network, this activity must meet the following minimum standards to be approved by the planning commission:

(1)

Meet all requirements of a permitted solid waste disposal facility as defined and regulated under the provisions of the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (O.C.G.A. § 12-8-20 et seq.) and rules enforced by the state department of natural resources, environmental protection division.

(2)

The site shall be not less than 2,500 feet from all residences, unless the owner of the residential property agrees in writing to a shorter distance.

(3)

The site shall be not less than 2,500 feet from existing public schools, public recreational areas, or public swimming pools. Public recreational areas shall include public parks, recreation centers, athletic fields, or similar areas available to the general public for recreational uses.

(4)

The site shall be not less than 2,500 feet up gradient from all wells or springs used as a source of drinking water by humans or livestock.

(5)

The site shall be not less than 2,500 feet from the normal boundaries of springs, streams, lakes, or other bodies of water.

(6)

The fill area shall be not less than 500 feet from all property lines, public roads, and the site boundary.

(7)

The fill area shall be entirely enclosed, exclusive of driveways, at its external boundaries by a wall or fence and an evergreen hedge not less than seven feet in height. The wall or hedge shall not be constructed or planted within the required setback.

(8)

The development shall include a traffic impact statement concerning traffic flow and the structural reliability of the pavement of the existing transportation network most affected (from the site to an arterial street along the primary access route to the site). The traffic impact statement shall include a count of the existing traffic by vehicle type and size and a projection of traffic and a projection of traffic, for when the facility is in full operation, by vehicle type and size for that portion of transportation network most affected by this use. An assessment of how the change in the vehicle mix will affect the pavement reliability including the collector street. Provision for traffic access to the site must be found to provide a safe access and without unreasonable adverse impact upon the transportation network based upon the information supplied and the requirements set forth in this section.

(9)

The hours of operation of the landfill shall be limited. No land filling shall be permitted before 6:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday only. A convenience center shall be established for use while the landfill is closed.

(10)

The developer shall obtain a report from a professional geologist, engineer, or other duly qualified individual that affirmatively demonstrates that the proposed development will not unreasonably alter natural drainageways; will not unreasonably affect runoff/infiltration relationships; has adequate provisions to control erosion and sedimentation; and will have no unreasonable adverse effect on surface water or groundwater quality.

(11)

The developer shall submit evidence that affirmatively demonstrates he has the financial capacity to undertake the proposed development including information such as cost estimates of the development; time schedule for construction and for satisfying pollution abatement measures; a letter from a financial institution indicating a commitment to provide a specified amount of funds; copies of bank statements; a performance bond to ensure that the air and water pollution control plans are completed as approved; and other information requested by the planning commission.

(p)

Signs and advertising devices. The use and placement of signs, billboards, and other outdoor advertising devices shall be in accordance with the Screven County Sign Ordinance codified as Article 18 of Appendix A of the Code.

(Ord. No. 97-08, § 9.2, 6-10-1997; Ord. of 4-27-2004(2), § 2; Ord. of 11-9-2004, § 20)