The City of North Augusta has designated areas of the City as appropriate for Residential, Commercial and Industrial uses. Special zoning districts in the City include Planned Development, Critical Areas, Traditional Neighborhood Development and Public Use. City Overlay districts include the Georgia Avenue Overlay, the Highway Corridor Overlay and the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay. The Department of Planning and Economic Development administers the North Augusta Development Code which contains the City's regulations pertaining to land use and development in all areas of the City.
The Department of Planning and Economic Development provides staff support to the Planning Commission (PC). The Planning Commission approves development proposals - major site plans, planned developments and major subdivision plans. The Commission also authorizes planning surveys and studies to be conducted and acts a recommending body for updates and modifications to the City's Comprehensive Plan, the North Augusta Development Code and the City's Official Zoning Map.The Planning Commission generally meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Center, 100 Georgia Avenue. Please click here for a list of 2010 Planning Commission meeting dates. Planning Commission meetings are open to the public.
The Department also provides staff support to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), the quasi-judicial board that hears appeals from decisions of administrative officials, for variances from provisions of the North Augusta Development Code and for special exception uses as listed in the Development Code use matrix. The Board generally meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Center, 100 Georgia Avenue. Please click here for a list of 2010 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting dates.
Development Applications and Appeal Requests --Review and Approval Procedures
There are two general types of applications submitted to the Department of Planning and Economic Development. Both are processed by Department staff. Some development applications - major site plans, planned developments and major subdivisions plans - are then forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration and action. Appeal requests are forwarded to the Board of Zoning Appeals for consideration and action. The review process for each application type is the same.
Completeness Review -- The application and appeals process begins with the intial application submittal followed by a completeness review. Information required at initial submittal is listed by application type on the application checklist and in the North Augusta Development Code (NADC). Time limits for completeness review vary by application type and are also listed on the application checklist and in the NADC. An application is determined to be complete if the application form, required fee(s) and all applicable supporting documents have been submitted to and received by the City. An applicant will be notified when an application is determined complete or if additional information is required.
Compliance Review -- Following a determination of completeness, application information and project plans are reviewed by City staff for compliance with applicable provisions of the NADC. Time limits for compliance review vary by application type and are listed on the application checklist and in the NADC. If additional information or revised plan submittals are necesary, the applicant will be notified. An application is determined to be in compliance when it meets all applicable City policies, regulations and provisions of the NADC.
Staff Approval -- Most development applications may be approved at the staff level. In some cases, staff review of an application will identify additional documents or information required to approve the project. If additional information is required, the applicant will be notified. After a compliance review and after project plans have been determined to comply with the applicable provisions of the NADC, the application will be approved by staff and the applicant will be notified. The staff approval will be final and the applicant may proceed to apply for grading and building permits.
Planning Commission Consideration of Development Applications -- Some applications also require Planning Commission (PC) approval. The PC is required to approve applications for major subdivision plans (preliminary plats), major site plans, rezoning of property, text amendments and Planned Development (PD) general development plans. An application will be scheduled for PC consideration when it is determined to be complete and it complies with the applicable provisions of the NADC. In the case of a major site plan, the PC approval may be granted based on a preliminary site plan. After the PC approval, detailed plans may be submitted for final staff approval and will be processed in the same manner as the staff approval described above.
Board of Zoning Appeals Consideration of Appeal Requests -- Appeals from administrative decisions, variances and special exception requests require Board of Zoning Appeals approval. An appeal will be scheduled for BZA consideration when it is determined to be complete and it complies with the applicable provisions of the NADC.
Public Hearing -- Applications for rezoning, text amendment and PD General Development Plan approval require public notice of a public hearing before the PC. Notices must be distributed and the notice must be advertised in the newspaper two weeks prior the PC meeting. Appeals from administrative decisions, variances and special exception requests require public notice of a public hearing before the BZA. Notices must be distributed and the notice must be advertised in the newspaper two weeks prior to the BZA meeting.