Appendix 12. Area wide development standards.

The area wide development standards apply to all properties zoned or developed for nonresidential and residential uses including all single family platted subdivisions but excluding all properties zoned for MIX-CGA and CUP-CGA. Stand-alone single family detached dwelling units and minor subdivisions are excluded from these standards with the exception of the South Fulton Parkway buffer and setback requirements (12M(1).7.G.2).

A.

Streetscape Features.

1.

Lighting, signage, benches, recycling bins, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, and other street furniture shall be compatible in material, color, finish and architectural style of the surrounding area.

B.

Lighting.

1.

Cobra, shoebox light fixtures and neon lighting are prohibited.

2.

Light fixtures shall be designed and located to minimize spillage onto adjoining properties.

3.

Lighting shall use a type of shielding to direct lighting downward.

C.

Telecommunications Uses.

1.

Telecommunications switchboards, power generators, and other telecommunication relay equipment rooms or floors housing such uses are limited to the following areas of a building:

(a)

Subterranean levels;

(b)

First and second floors which are set back a minimum of 50 feet from the street; or

(c)

Third and fourth floors.

D.

Cellular Towers.

1.

Alternative antenna support structures are required for all cell towers. Man-made trees are allowable.

2.

Height of towers shall not exceed 199 feet.

3.

The wireless communications facility shall be disassembled and removed from the site within 90 days of the date its use for wireless telecommunications is discontinued.

E.

Water Towers.

1.

Towers shall be constructed of natural materials or if metal painted to blend with the landscape.

2.

Except for safety purposes, water tower lighting shall be allowed only during maintenance periods. Each outdoor light that is not required for safety shall be fully shielded. The safety lighting shall use a type of shielding to provide lighting downward.

F.

Signage.

1.

General provisions for all signs.

a.

Internal illumination is not permitted. If illumination is used, the sign shall be externally illuminated. External lighting is limited to either top mounted fixtures where the fixture is mounted on the top of the sign structure and the light directed downward or ground mounted fixtures where the light fixture is screened from view with landscaping.

b.

Freestanding and walls signs including both the sign structure and the sign face shall be made out of wood, material designed to have the appearance of natural wood, or metal. Plastic inserts are not allowed.

c.

Identification pillar sign standards: (examples below)

i.

Identification pillar signs shall be designed to have the appearance of a four-sided column and shall be constructed of natural stone, wood or materials designed to have the appearance of natural wood.

ii.

Identification pillar sign faces shall be constructed of natural stone, metal, wood or materials designed to have the appearance of natural wood. Plastic inserts are not allowed.

2.

Non-residential uses.

a.

All freestanding signs shall be of shingle design. (examples below)

b.

The maximum size of the sign face shall be 9 square feet. Sign copy is allowed on both sides of the sign face.

c.

Wall signs shall be a maximum of 3% of the applicable wall area.

3.

Residential uses.

a.

One identification pillar sign or one freestanding sign is allowed per entrance.

b.

The maximum size of an identification pillar sign structure is eight feet in height and three feet in width per side.

c.

The maximum size of the sign face on identification pillar signs is nine square feet for each side.

d.

The sign face shall be directly mounted on or in the identification pillar sign structure or can be mounted to hang perpendicular to the identification pillar sign structure in the manner of a shingle sign.

e.

Freestanding signs shall not exceed ten feet in height.

f.

The maximum size of the sign face on freestanding signs shall be nine square feet. Sign copy is allowed on both sides of the sign face.

G.

Landscaping, Buffers and Setbacks.

1.

Acceptable evergreen plant material and deciduous trees for undisturbed buffers within the bounds of the CGA Overlay District are limited to the following; Cherry Laurel, Eastern Red Cedar, Canadian Hemlock, Deodar Cedar, American Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Holly (cross between Chinese & English Hollies), Southern Magnolia, Virginia Pine, Red Maple, River Birch, American Hornbeam, Hickories, Sugar Hackherry, American Beech, Sweet Gum, Poplar, Black Gum, Oaks and Linden/Basswood.

2.

Along the entire frontage of the South Fulton Parkway, a 100-foot natural, undisturbed buffer is required along the right-of-way with an additional ten-foot setback interior to the buffer (except for approved access and utility crossings, improvements and replantings where sparsely vegetated subject to the approval of the Fulton County Arborist). Only existing AG-1 (Agricultural) uses and pedestrian and bicycle paths are permitted in the setback. This standard applies to all properties with frontage on the South Fulton Parkway and along the rights-of-way of public roads which intersect the parkway for a distance of 300 feet measured from the intersection with the parkway, including stand-alone single family-detached dwelling units and minor subdivisions. When the undisturbed buffer is grassed or pasture, the applicant shall plant to county buffer standards or as approved by the Director of Environment and Community Development using materials listed in section 12M(l)7.G.1 of this overlay district.

3.

Along the entire frontage of the South Fulton Scenic Byways, a 100-foot natural, undisturbed buffer is required along the right-of-way with an additional ten-foot setback interior to the buffer (except for approved access and utility crossings, improvements and replantings where sparsely vegetated subject to the approval of the Fulton County Arborist). Only existing AG-1 (Agricultural) uses and pedestrian and bicycle paths are permitted in the setback. This standard applies to all properties with frontage on a South Fulton Scenic Byway and along the rights-of-way of public roads which intersect a South Fulton Scenic Byway for a distance of 300 feet measured from the intersection with the South Fulton Scenic Byway. When the undisturbed buffer is grassed or pasture, the applicant shall plant to county buffer standards or as approved by the Director of Environment and Community Development using materials listed in section 12M(l)7.G.1 of this overlay district.

4.

All residential uses except stand-alone single family detached dwelling units and minor subdivisions shall provide a minimum 100-foot wide natural undisturbed buffer along all property lines with an additional ten-foot setback interior to the buffer (except for approved access and utility crossings and replantings where sparsely vegetated). When the undisturbed buffer is grassed or pasture, the applicant shall plant to county buffer standards or as approved by the Director of Environment and Community Development using plant materials listed in section 12M(1)7.G.1 of this overlay district.

H.

Fences and Walls.

1.

Fence Standards.

a.

Opaque fences along any road right-of-way are prohibited.

b.

Chain link fences along any road right-of-way are prohibited except when constructed as part of recreational courts or recreational fields.

c.

Allowable fence materials: wood, wire or materials designed to have the appearance of natural wood.

d.

Allowable fencing types: split rail, 3-4 horizontal rail, crossbuck and horse wire (see examples below) or combination thereof.

2.

Wall Standards.

a.

Walls are limited to two feet in height.

b.

Allowable wall materials: wood, stone or materials designed to have the appearance of natural wood (example below).

I.

Street Standards.

1.

All newly created lots shall derive access from internal subdivision streets.

2.

All streets should follow existing contour with a minimum of cut and fill and shall be designed for interparcel pedestrian and vehicular access.

J.

Additional Standards.

1.

Amenity areas and recreational facilities shall be located interior to the subdivision.

2.

All required detention/retention facilities shall be designed to meet the Fulton County alternative design standards that have the intent of making such facilities an attractive amenity or focal point for the subdivision per current Fulton County Subdivision Regulations.

3.

Loading areas, dumpster areas, service yards, mechanical and electrical equipment and other utilities, including roof top equipment, shall be screened with evergreen plant material, opaque fences, or structural screens of materials matching the exterior building facade.

(Res. No. 07-0934, 12-5-07; Res. No. 08-0493, 6-4-08)