§ 14-44.3. Administrative variance application requirements.

Applications for variances shall be made in writing to the director and shall contain materials and documents required by the director that are necessary to demonstrate that said request meets the criteria for granting variances. The director may waive certain application requirements for variance requests associated with construction on an existing, single-family, owner occupied residential structure. At a minimum, and in order to be considered complete, a variance request shall include all of the following information in writing:

(1)

A site map with graphic scale and north arrow that includes locations of all streams, wetlands, floodplain boundaries and other natural features, as determined by field survey.

(2)

A description of the shape, size, topography, slope, soils, vegetation and other physical characteristics of the property.

(3)

A detailed site plan that shows both the locations of all existing and proposed structures and other impervious surfaces (both inside and outside the buffer), and the limits of all existing and proposed land disturbance activity (both inside and outside the buffer). The exact area of the buffer to be affected shall be accurately and clearly indicated. Site plan must clearly show justification for variance request.

(4)

Documentation of unusual hardship should the buffer be maintained.

(5)

At least one alternative plan, which does not include a buffer intrusion, or an explanation of why such an alternative site plan is not possible.

(6)

The maximum lot coverage allowed for the property according to its zoning category and a calculation of the existing and proposed lot coverage.

(7)

A calculation of the total area, length and width of the proposed intrusion.

(8)

A stormwater management site plan, if applicable.

(9)

Delineation of all state waters located on or within two hundred (200) feet of the project site.

(10)

Delineation of the twenty-five-foot undisturbed state buffer and the fifty-foot stream buffer along designated streams and measured horizontally on both banks of the stream as measured from the top of the stream bank.

(11)

Identification of the project receiving waters and description of adjacent areas such as streams, lakes, drainage ditches, residential areas, which might be affected.

(12)

Variance from Georgia Environmental Protection Division required [requirements] for encroachment in the twenty-five-foot state buffer.

(13)

Show double-row type C silt fence between land-disturbing activity and state waters, wetlands, and/or intermediate regional flood (IRF).

(14)

File notice of intent and notice of termination with Georgia Environmental Protection Division and DeKalb County, if land-disturbance activity is one (1) acre or more or within two hundred (200) feet of state waters. Submission must be at least fourteen (14) days prior to start of any land disturbance activity.

(15)

Illustration of soil series and their delineation.

(16)

Show limits of disturbance on erosion and sediment control plans (E&SC plans).

(17)

Name, address and phone number of applicant/owner or provide power of attorney, if applicant is not the owner.

(18)

Provide name and phone number of twenty-four-hour local erosion and sediment control contact.

(19)

Show certification number, signature and seal of qualified plan designer.

(20)

Provide vegetative plan for all temporary and permanent vegetative practices, including species, planting dates and seeding.

(21)

Proposed mitigation plan. All proposed mitigation plans shall be designed and stamped by Georgia-licensed design professionals. Proposed mitigation plans shall be nonstructural and designed to improve the quality of the stream and the associated buffer. Mitigation plans shall include planting schedule, channel protection design and enhancement/improvement as approved the director. Mitigation plans that relate to multiuse trials shall negate the impact of the trail and improve the quality of life of the affected stream.

(Ord. No. 09-05, Pt. 1, 2-24-09)