Wednesday, June 27, 2001
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Wednesday, June 27, 2001 |
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New tree rules delayed By DAVE
HAMRICK
New rules requiring 25-foot buffers surrounding timber harvesting operations in Fayette are on their way to the County Commission, but the board won't discuss the new rules until next month. The county Planning Commission earlier this month voted unanimously to recommend the changes, but rather than put the item on the agenda for this Thursday, as is normally the practice, county officials tabled discussion until July 26, when a full five-member board will be available to consider the controversial matter. Land owners and representatives of the timbering industry have argued against the idea of buffers, saying not being able to harvest what could amount to numerous acres of timber constitutes a taking of property, but the Planning Commission decided that the impact on surrounding property owners must be considered as well, and voted to recommend the buffers to the County Commission. "Clearly, a treed community improves the property values in that area," former P&Z Chairman Fred Bowen said during recent work session discussions. "Whether it's 50 feet or 25 feet, I feel we have to provide some protection from what clearly is an eyesore. Fayette County is not a farming county, so I think we have to balance all this." There are currently only four sitting members on the County Commission, following the resignation of Harold Bost due to personal concerns. A runoff election is slated for July 10 between Peter Pfeifer and Scott Gilbert, survivors of a five-person special election last week. Commissioners this Thursday will consider several other changes to county ordinances recommended by the Planning Commission. Among items that will be on the agenda are: A new limit on the portion of a commercial or office development site that can be covered by pavement and buildings. Under the proposed rule, such impervious surfaces would be limited to 60 percent of the total site. Resident Julie Matulia argued against the new rule, saying it's not stringent enough. "Urban and suburban development accounts for 20 percent of all wetland loss," she said, arguing that the environment will be damaged by paving more than 30 percent of a site. She urged the group to delay acting on the new rule and consider a tougher standard, but commissioners pointed out that currently there's no limit at all. "Sixty percent is 40 percent better than what's on the books today," said commissioner Al Gilbert. "We can always go back and look at it again," said commissioner Jim Graw. A new rule making self-storage facilities a conditional use in the C-H (commercial-highway) zoning district. Currently, the facilities are allowed without special conditions. Again, Matulia argued that the rule would be too lenient. "What about eliminating it" from the commercial category altogether, she wanted to know. Again, commissioners said the proposed rule is more stringent that current ones, and said they could always consider Matulia's suggestion later. The point is a sore one with Matulia, who recently attended commission meetings to oppose unsuccessfully plans for a self-storage facility on Ga. Highway 85 south of Fayetteville. A waiver of the requirement for site plans if a development meets several criteria. Developers shouldn't have to submit, and staff shouldn't have to deal with, site plans if the proposed use is similar to or less intensive than the current one, if the use of water is similar or less and if a number of other criteria are met, said zoning director Kathy Zeitler. Commission member Bob Harbison praised Zeitler's proposal. "All of our ordinances need to be looked at with an eye to removing any requirement that is not absolutely necessary," he said. The County Commission meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at the County Administrative Complex.
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