§ 14-28. Purposes.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    It is the purpose of this article to establish public policies for the protection of the natural environment and to establish requirements, standards and procedures for land development. The public policy objective of protecting the natural environment is to be achieved by:

    (1)

    Regulating the alteration of land and topography.

    (2)

    Regulating the removal and requiring the replacement of certain vegetation.

    (3)

    Requiring erosion control and sedimentation control.

    (4)

    Protecting county streams and floodplains from substantial alteration of their natural functions and from sediment and debris accumulation.

    (5)

    Specifying standards for drainage system design.

    (6)

    Assuring the continuous and efficient operation of the drainage system.

    (7)

    Protecting the water quality within intermittent and perennial streams throughout DeKalb County.

    (b)

    It is the board of commissioners' intent that land development be accomplished in conformity with the public policy statements. To that end, the plans required under applicable provisions of this article shall be reviewed by the county to enable a full exchange of information between the county and the applicant as to the county's public policies for land development. However, these policies shall not be used as a control or regulatory mechanism nor be construed as land development standards enforceable under applicable provisions of this article.

    (c)

    The board further declares its intent that these public policies be evaluated periodically so as to reflect the community's interests in protection of the natural environment and to give direction to county actions in matters affecting the natural environment and land development.

(Ord. No. 85-00, Pt. I, 12-28-00)