§ 38-369. Restrictions on use; definitions.

(a)

Authority. The Official State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Rules for Environmental Planning Criteria (Chapter 391-3-16), established pursuant to O.C.G.A. §§ 12-5-440 through 12-5-457, and other relevant rules and statutes.

(b)

Definitions. These definitions are also contained in article I of this zoning ordinance. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this subdivision, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Aquifer means any stratum or zone of rock beneath the surface of the earth capable of containing or producing water from a well.

Base zone means the primary zoning designation of a property that confers restrictions on buildings and land use. All property in the city has one base zone (such as R-2 single-family residential or CG general commercial), but properties may be further regulated by one or more overlay zoning districts.

Creek. See Stream.

Free-flowing creek, stream, or river. See Regulated stream.

Impervious surface means manmade structures, improvements and surfaces that prevent or significantly limit the infiltration of storm water. Examples of impervious structures and improvements are: buildings, structures, roads, driveways, parking lots, decks, swimming pools, patios, and sidewalks. Examples of impervious materials often used to construct such improvements are: asphalt, concrete, gravel, brick, stone, wood, asphalt shingles, metal, and composite materials.

Overlay zone means a zoning district, which may be placed on property in addition to its base zoning. Property may be regulated by a single or by multiple overlay zones.

Recharge area means any portion of the earth's surface, where water infiltrates into the ground to replenish an aquifer.

Regulated stream. See Stream, regulated.

River means a natural, free-flowing watercourse that is typically of greater volume than a stream or creek.

Significant recharge area means those areas mapped by the state department of natural resources in Hydrologic Atlas 18 (1989 edition).

Stream means a natural, free-flowing watercourse with either constant or intermittent flow of moderate volume typically less than that of a river.

Stream buffer means a strip of natural indigenous vegetation (of width determined by the watershed protection regulations) adjacent and parallel to the bank of a regulated stream designed to preserve and improve the quality of water within the regulated stream and its watershed.

Stream, regulated, means a natural, free-flowing watercourse that meets certain criteria as established within the watershed protection district regulations. Such streams are subject to the requirements of the watershed protection district regulations.

Watershed means the total area of land that is drained by a river or stream and its tributaries.

Wetland means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. The ecological parameters for designating wetlands include hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydrological conditions that involve a temporary or permanent source of water to cause soil saturation.

Wetlands, jurisdictional, means an area that meets the definitional requirements for wetlands as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

(Ord. No. 0-00-106, § 2, 12-4-2000)