Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members



The Columbus Consolidated Government

Planning Department

Post Office Box 1340 Columbus, Georgia 31902-1340

Telephone (706) 653-4116

Fax (706) 653-4120

Website: www.columbusga.org/planning

04/21/2014



Honorable Mayor and Councilors

City Manager

City Attorney

Clerk of Council



Subject: (REZN-2-14-0252) Request to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to

Correct Certain Errors in Various Chapters.



Rick Jones, AICP

Director, Planning Department





STAFF REPORT









APPLICATION







PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT





UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE REVISIONS

(Explanation of Revisions)



1. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 9.2.3 by deleting the alternative

members subsection B.2 and moving subsection B.3 to #2.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 9.2.3 Planning Advisory Commission

Section 9.2.3.B



B. Composition, Appointment and Compensation.

1. Composition. The Planning Advisory Commission shall consist of nine members

appointed by the Council.

a) Term of Office. All regular member appointments shall be for three years.

Current membership and terms of office shall not be affected by the adoption of

these land development regulations.

b) Number of Terms. An appointed member who has served two consecutive full

terms shall not be eligible for reappointment until the lapse of 12 months from

the end of the second full term.

2. Alternate Members

a) Service as Regular Member. In the absence of any regular member, an

alternate shall replace the absent member and shall be empowered to act as a

regular member.

b) Terms of Office and Number of Terms. Alternate members shall be appointed

for a term of three years and may succeed themselves under the procedure

established for regular members.



3. Compensation. Regular and alternate members shall not receive compensation

for their services. However, the members may be reimbursed for authorized

expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Authorization of expenses

shall be made by the Director of Planning.

Sec. 9.2.3 Planning Advisory Commission

Section 10.2.7.D



B. Composition, Appointment and Compensation.

1. Composition. The Planning Advisory Commission shall consist of nine members

appointed by the Council.

a) Term of Office. All regular member appointments shall be for three years.

Current membership and terms of office shall not be affected by the adoption of

these land development regulations.

b) Number of Terms. An appointed member who has served two consecutive full

terms shall not be eligible for reappointment until the lapse of 12 months from

the end of the second full term.

2. Compensation. Members shall not receive compensation for their services.

However, the members may be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred in the

performance of their duties. Authorization of expenses shall be made by the

Director of Planning.



2. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 2.5.12 by deleting the exception

from required rezoning under the PUD subsection B.2. and making subsection 2

reserved.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 2.5.12 Planned Unit Development (PUD)

Section 2.5.12.B



B. Required Rezoning.

1. Rezoning Required. Any residential development that exceeds either the

minimum site size or number of dwelling units as indicated in Table 2.5.2 shall

be considered a PUD and shall be required to be rezoned to a PUD overlay zoning

district.

2. Exemption from Required Rezoning. Any rezoning of property to an RE10, RE5

or RE1 zoning district is not required to apply for rezoning to a PUD overlay

zoning district.

Sec. 2.5.12 Planned Unit Development (PUD)

Section 2.5.12.B



B. Required Rezoning.

1. Rezoning Required. Any residential development that exceeds either the

minimum site size or number of dwelling units as indicated in Table 2.5.2 shall

be considered a PUD and shall be required to be rezoned to a PUD overlay zoning

district.

2. Reserved.





3. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 13.1.1 by adding a tax office to

the definition of office, business and professional.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 13.1.1. Definition Terms.

Section 13.1.1

Office, business and professional means an establishment providing executive,

management, and professional services to the public, including but not limited

to the following: advertising services, business offices of private companies,

business offices of utility companies, public or nonprofit agencies, trade

associations; employment offices, excluding day labor and labor pool services;

professional or consulting offices for accounting, architecture, computer

technology, design, engineering, landscape architecture, law, urban planning,

and similar professions; property and financial management, real estate;

secretarial and telecommunication services; travel agencies; and related

services.

Sec. 13.1.1. Definition Terms.

Section 13.1.1

Office, business and professional means an establishment providing executive,

management, and professional services to the public, including but not limited

to the following: advertising services, business offices of private companies,

business offices of utility companies, public or nonprofit agencies, trade

associations; employment offices, excluding day labor and labor pool services;

professional or consulting offices for accounting, tax office, architecture,

computer technology, design, engineering, landscape architecture, law, urban

planning, and similar professions; property and financial management, real

estate; secretarial and telecommunication services; travel agencies; and

related services.





4. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 13.1.1 by deleting licensed massage

therapist to the definition under personal services.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 13.1.1. Definition Terms.

Section 13.1.1

Personal services means an establishment providing services of a personal

nature that are necessary on a frequent or recurring basis. Personal services

may include the accessory retail sale of items related to service rendered.

Personal services typically include beauty and barbershops; clerical services;

dog grooming; garment repair; informational, instructional, personal

improvement, or services of a similar nature; fortune telling and similar

psychic services; and dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up stations; licensed

massage therapists; limited repair services; manicurists; photography studios;

spas; shoe repair and shoeshine parlors; tailoring; and tanning salons.

Sec. 13.1.1. Definition Terms.

Section 13.1.1

Personal services means an establishment providing services of a personal

nature that are necessary on a frequent or recurring basis. Personal services

may include the accessory retail sale of items related to service rendered.

Personal services typically include beauty and barbershops; clerical services;

dog grooming; garment repair; informational, instructional, personal

improvement, or services of a similar nature; fortune telling and similar

psychic services; and dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up stations; limited

repair services; manicurists; photography studios; spas; shoe repair and

shoeshine parlors; tailoring; and tanning salons.



5. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 3.2.50 by deleting the minimum

separation distance requirement for Personal Care Homes, Type I, under

subsection E and making the subsection reserved.

ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 3.2.50. Personal Care Home, Type I



Section 3.2.50.E



E. Minimum Separation Distance. At least 1,000 feet shall separate individual

Type I personal care homes.

1. Measurement of Distance. The separation distance shall be measured in a

direct line from the closest property line of one facility to the closest

property line of the other facility.

2. Variance or Waiver Prohibited. The Council or the Board of Zoning Appeals

shall not grant a variance or waiver to the required separation distance.

Sec. 3.2.50. Personal Care Home, Type I



Section 3.2.50.E



E. Reserved





6. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 2.1.6.D by deleting the minimum

property standards for detached nonresidential accessory structures and making

the subsection reserved.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 2.1.6. Accessory Structures



Section 2.1.6.D



D. Minimum Property Standards for Detached Nonresidential Accessory

Structures. Minimum and maximum standards shall comply with Table 2.1.5

Sec. 2.1.6. Accessory Structures



Section 2.1.6.D



D. Reserved







7. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 2.5.19.E.5 by adding some additional

parking options under subsection (C), deleting screening of parking areas under

subsection (D) and making subsection (D) reserved.



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 2.5.19. U.S. Highway 80 Overlay District

Section 2.5.19.E.5.



Parking/Yard, Height and Setback.

(A) Location of Parking Areas. Buildings should be located at the corner of

sites closest to the road intersection, so that the parking areas are screened

by the building from view of any public road, and so that the travel path from

public sidewalks is shortened. Parking must be located in a way that is not

visually dominant. Parking between buildings and an arterial road is

discouraged, but if necessary, requirements of section 2.5.19.E.S.(D)

(Screening of parking areas) must be met. If parking is located in the side or

rear yards, any screening may be clustered and need not cover 100 percent of

frontage.

(B) Up to 25 percent of the required parking spaces for any development may be

reduced in total area, width, or depth for designated small vehicle parking.

Each small vehicle parking space shall not be less than eight feet in width and

17 feet in depth.

(C) All nonresidential developments shall meet the following requirements for

parking:



Gross Square Feet

Maximum percent of Parking Spaces Allowed in Front of Buildings

< 7,500

20 percent

7,501 to 25,000

30 percent

25,001 to 50,000

40 percent

50,000 >

50 percent

(D) Screening of Parking Areas. When parking areas are provided in a front

yard (in between a public road right-of-way and a principle building), a

minimum two and one-half foot high evergreen hedge or a landscaped earthen berm

shall be installed to obscure visibility of the parking lot from the corridor.

Screening may be located in the planting yard if it does not impede other uses

or purposes of the yard.

Sec. 2.5.19. U.S. Highway 80 Overlay District



Section 2.5.19.E.5.



Parking/Yard, Height and Setback.

(A) Location of Parking Areas. Buildings should be located at the corner of

sites closest to the road intersection, so that the parking areas are screened

by the building from view of any public road, and so that the travel path from

public sidewalks is shortened. Parking must be located in a way that is not

visually dominant. Parking between buildings and an arterial road is

discouraged, but if necessary, requirements of section 2.5.19.E.5.(C)

(Screening of parking areas) must be met. If parking is located in the side or

rear yards, any screening may be clustered and need not cover 100 percent of

frontage.

(B) Up to 25 percent of the required parking spaces for any development may be

reduced in total area, width, or depth for designated small vehicle parking.

Each small vehicle parking space shall not be less than eight feet in width and

17 feet in depth.

(C) All nonresidential developments shall meet at least one of the following

requirements:

(1)



Gross Square Feet

Maximum percent of Parking Spaces Allowed in Front of Buildings

< 7,500

20 percent

7,501 to 25,000

30 percent

25,001 to 50,000

40 percent

50,000 >

50 percent

(2) When parking areas are provided in a front yard (in between a public road

right-of-way and a principal building), a minimum 18-inch evergreen hedge shall

be installed to obscure visibility of the parking lot from the corridor. This

evergreen hedge must reach a minimum height of 2.5 feet within 2 years of

planting. Screening may be located in the planting yard if it does not impede

other uses or purposes of the yard.

(3) When parking areas are provided in a front yard (in between a public road

right-of-way and a principle building), a combination of landscaped earthen

berm and evergreen hedge with a minimum height of 18 inches shall be used. The

total height of landscaped earthen berm and hedge combination shall reach a

minimum height of 2.5 feet at planting. Screening shall be located in the

planting yard if it does not impede other uses or purposes of the yard.

(D) Reserved.







8. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Section 10.2.5.C by correcting various typos

pertaining with #3 to #4



ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE



Sec. 10.2.5. Process for Zoning Changes



Section 10.2.5.C Planning Department Review

1. Report for Zoning Change Approval. A Planning Department staff report with a

recommendation of approval or conditional approval for a zoning change shall be

delivered to the Clerk of Council's Office. At such time, Planning Department

will advertise the date, time, and place for the public hearing in accordance

with Section 10.2.5.C.3(A).

2. Report for Zoning Change Denial. A Planning Department staff report with a

recommendation of denial for a zoning change shall be delivered to the Clerk of

Council's Office. The applicant for the change shall appeal the recommendation

to the City Council.

3. Notification for Affected Councilors. The Planning Department shall notify a

City Councilor of a proposed rezoning case in his/her council district. Said

notification shall take place upon submittal of the staff report(s) to the

Clerk of Council. At-large Councilors shall be notified of all proposed

rezoning cases upon submittal of the staff report(s) to the Clerk of Council.

(A) Time Period for Appeal. An appeal shall be made within two weeks after the

Clerk of Council receives the recommendation of the Planning Department.

(B) Effect of Appeal. If the applicant appeals, the Clerk of Council will

notify the Planning Department. At such time, Planning Department will

advertise the date, time, and place for the public hearing in accordance with

Section 10.2.5.C.3(A). If no appeal is made, the Council shall consider the

petition withdrawn by the applicant.

3. Public Notice - Prior to Council public hearing.

(A) Notification to the General Public.

(1) Newspaper Advertisement.

(a) At least 15 days but not more than 45 days prior to the public hearing,

notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the

city. The Planning Department shall prepare such notice, which shall state the

time, place and purpose of the hearing.

(b) The published notice shall include the location of the property, the

present zoning classification of the property, and the proposed zoning

classification of the property or the special exception use requested.

(2) Mail Notice to Surrounding Property Owners. If the proposed zoning change

was initiated by a party other than the City Council, the Planning Department

or the Planning Advisory Commission, mail notice shall also be given to

surrounding property owners as indicated below.

(a) At least seven days prior to the City Council meeting, the Planning

Department shall mail a notice to all persons owning property located within

300 feet of the proposed property that is the subject matter of the zoning

change. However, at the discretion of the Planning Director, notice shall be

mailed to property owners beyond the 300 feet notification requirement. If the

applicant is also the owner of the property adjacent to the proposed property

to be rezoned, notice shall be mailed to property owners within 300 feet beyond

the applicant-owned adjacent property, or farther if the Planning Director

deems appropriate. The written notice shall be mailed to the property owners as

such names and addresses appear on the County's ad valorem tax records.

(b) The notice shall state the time, place and purpose of the City Council

meeting.

Sec. 10.2.5. Process for Zoning Changes



Section 10.2.5.C Planning Department Review

1. Report for Zoning Change Approval. A Planning Department staff report with a

recommendation of approval or conditional approval for a zoning change shall be

delivered to the Clerk of Council's Office. At such time, Planning Department

will advertise the date, time, and place for the public hearing in accordance

with Section 10.2.5.C.4(A).

2. Report for Zoning Change Denial. A Planning Department staff report with a

recommendation of denial for a zoning change shall be delivered to the Clerk of

Council's Office. The applicant for the change shall appeal the recommendation

to the City Council.

3. Notification for Affected Councilors. The Planning Department shall notify a

City Councilor of a proposed rezoning case in his/her council district. Said

notification shall take place upon submittal of the staff report(s) to the

Clerk of Council. At-large Councilors shall be notified of all proposed

rezoning cases upon submittal of the staff report(s) to the Clerk of Council.

(A) Time Period for Appeal. An appeal shall be made within two weeks after the

Clerk of Council receives the recommendation of the Planning Department.

(B) Effect of Appeal. If the applicant appeals, the Clerk of Council will

notify the Planning Department. At such time, Planning Department will

advertise the date, time, and place for the public hearing in accordance with

Section 10.2.5.C.4(A). If no appeal is made, the Council shall consider the

petition withdrawn by the applicant.

4. Public Notice - Prior to Council public hearing.

(A) Notification to the General Public.

(1) Newspaper Advertisement.

(a) At least 15 days but not more than 45 days prior to the public hearing,

notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the

city. The Planning Department shall prepare such notice, which shall state the

time, place and purpose of the hearing.

(b) The published notice shall include the location of the property, the

present zoning classification of the property, and the proposed zoning

classification of the property or the special exception use requested.

(2) Mail Notice to Surrounding Property Owners. If the proposed zoning change

was initiated by a party other than the City Council, the Planning Department

or the Planning Advisory Commission, mail notice shall also be given to

surrounding property owners as indicated below.

(a) At least seven days prior to the City Council meeting, the Planning

Department shall mail a notice to all persons owning property located within

300 feet of the proposed property that is the subject matter of the zoning

change. However, at the discretion of the Planning Director, notice shall be

mailed to property owners beyond the 300 feet notification requirement. If the

applicant is also the owner of the property adjacent to the proposed property

to be rezoned, notice shall be mailed to property owners within 300 feet beyond

the applicant-owned adjacent property, or farther if the Planning Director

deems appropriate. The written notice shall be mailed to the property owners as

such names and addresses appear on the County's ad valorem tax records.

(b) The notice shall state the time, place and purpose of the City Council

meeting.





Tables



9. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Table 2.3.1. by deleting the minimum lot

size requirement in parenthesis for NC and the number 2 under notes for NC and

CO.



Table 2.3.1

Consolidated Property Development Regulations: Commercial Zoning Districts

Property Development Regulations

Minimum Required

Yard/Setback (Feet)

Zoning District Min. Lot Size (Square Feet) Max. Density (Units per Acre) Max. Lot Coverage Min. Lot Width

(Feet) Max. Bldg Height (Feet) Front Side Side

Corner Rear Notes

UPT

?Multifamily and Condo 4,000 None 100% 40 150 25 12 25 40

?Nonresidential Uses 4,000 None 100% 40 150 25 0/153 0 0

?Mixed Uses 4,000 None 100% 40 150 0 0/153 0 0 2

CRD See Requirements For UPT Zoning District

NC 4,000

(1,000) None 100% 40 50 20 0/153 20 0/153 2

RO

?Townhouse 1,800

(1,800) 18 50% 20 35 20 8 20 30

?Multifamily and Condo 10,000

(1,000) 43 100% 75 150 25 12 25 40

?Nonresidential Uses 10,000 43 100% 75 150 25 12 25 40

?Mixed Uses 10,000

(1,000) 43 100% 75 150 25 12 25 40 2

CO 3 acres

(21,780) None 50% 110 125 0 0/153 0 0/153 2,4

GC 4,000 None 100% 40 70 20 0/153 20 0/153

SAC 130,680 None 80% 300 120 40 20 20 20

Notes.

1 Number of square feet in parenthesis is the minimum lot area per individual

dwelling unit.

2 Residential uses are to be located above the ground floor.

3 15 feet when abutting a residential zoning district.

4 See Section 2.3.6 for minimum lot size within property zoned CO.







10. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Table 2.1.5. dealing with minimum setbacks

for detached accessory nonresidential structures by deleting it entirely and

replace it with the following:



Table 2.1.5.

Minimum Setbacks for Detached

Accessory Nonresidential Structures (2)



Dimensions Standard

Maximum Height (feet) Per current building code(1)

Maximum Lot Coverage Included in coverage for principal structure

Minimum Setbacks (feet)

Front Same as principal structure

Side Same as principal structure

Side Corner Same as principal structure

Rear Same as principal structure

Minimum Building Separation Per current building code

Note.

() No more than principal structure.

(2) Signs, lighting standards, billboards, public utility substations, service

station canopies, satellite receivers and any other structure not specifically

addressed must comply with the requirements of this ordinance and the authority

having jurisdiction





11. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Table 3.1.1. by permitting massage therapy

in the HIST zoning district:



Use

Category HIST RE10 RE5 RE1 RT SFR1 SFR2 SFR3 SFR4 RMF1 RMF2 MHP UPT CRD NC RO CO GC SAC LMI HMI TECH NOTES

Massage Therapy P P P P P *





PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION



The Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) considered this text amendment at their

meeting on April 16, 2014. The PAC recommended Approval.



PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION



The Planning Department recommends Approval.



MAPS & PHOTOS













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