§ 2105. Permitted activities within the river corridor.

Unless otherwise prohibited in the zoning district in which the property is located, the following uses and activities shall be permitted within the river corridor:

(a)

Detached single-family dwellings and their customary appurtenances subject to the following conditions:

(1)

The dwelling and its customary appurtenances shall comply with all development standards for the particular zoning district in which the property is located (including lot size), building codes, and any other local regulations.

(2)

The dwelling must be located on a tract of land containing two acres. Where a tract includes any portion of the protected river, the area between the river banks cannot be counted towards the two-acre minimum tract size. (Note: the minimum lot size may be greater than two acres depending on the zoning district in which the property is located.)

(3)

Only one dwelling is permitted on each two acre or larger tract.

(4)

Septic tank or tanks serving the dwelling may be located within the buffer.

(5)

Septic tank drainfields shall not be located within the buffer.

(b)

Construction of road crossings and utility crossings provided that the construction meets all requirements of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act of 1975, as amended, and any applicable local ordinances pertaining to soil erosion and sedimentation control.

(c)

Industrial and commercial land uses existing prior to the effective date of this article (July 6, 1999) are exempt from the protection criteria of this article, provided that:

(1)

The use of the river corridor does not impair the drinking quality of the river water; and

(2)

The activity within the river corridor meets all state and federal environmental rules and regulations.

(d)

Timber production and harvesting provided that the activity is consistent with the state forestry commission's best management practices and the activity does not impair the drinking quality of the river water as defined by the Clean Water Act, as amended.

(e)

Wildlife and fisheries management activities consistent with the purposes of O.C.G.A. § 12-2-8.

(f)

Waste water treatment.

(g)

Recreational usage consistent with either the maintenance of a natural vegetative buffer or with river-dependent recreation.

(h)

Natural water quality treatment or purification.

(i)

Agricultural production and management provided that the activity is consistent with the state soil and water conservation commission's best management practices and the activity does not impair the drinking quality of the river water as defined by the Clean Water Act, as amended. Additionally, the activity must be consistent with all other state and federal laws and state department of agriculture regulations.

(j)

Any other uses permitted by the department of natural resources or under § 404 of the Clean Water Act.

(Ord. of 7-6-99)