Zoning Office Directs Growth

The Jasper County Planning and Zoning Office plays a significant role in the future development of the county with its mission of providing quality growth.

In 2005 there were 201 building permits for stick built houses in the county. Through March of this year there have been 55, compared to 37 during the same period last year, representing a 49 percent growth rate.

According to Planning Director Chris Anderson, the function of the Planning and Zoning Office is to foster positive, smart and good growth management. Mr. Anderson believes we are ahead of counties like Henry, Rockdale and Newton, where development has occurred at a very fast pace.

Mr. Anderson came to Jasper County with considerable experience after having spent two and one-half years in Butts County as planner. Before that, he worked with a regional development center in Bartow, Fla.

His job description includes administering the zoning, which is the control measure used to provide smart growth. He also assists the public on zoning questions and is the Geographic Information System Coordinator, which is mapping with varied layers of data used for analysis.

In addition to the above, Mr. Anderson also oversees the Planning and Zoning Office, which has a staff as follows:

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•Ken Baldwin, Chief Inspector, who is in charge of building inspections. Mr. Baldwin inspects every building in the county up to 11 stages of construction, mostly houses, but commercial as well.

•Mark Burrows, Curbside Inspector, who also assists Mr. Baldwin with building inspections.

•Raymond Rogers, Code Enforcement Officer, who enforces the code ordinances of the county, primarily concerning solid waste, dumping, and theft of services. Mr. Rogers also enforces zoning laws.

•Lakeysha Wright, Zoning Clerk, who performs administrative duties.

•Elizabeth Rolfe, Animal Control Officer, who is in charge of animal related issues in the county.

According to Mr. Anderson, new and recently approved fee, permit and ordinance violation charges and fines, beginning with zoning are as follows:

• Zoning amendment (to change zoning): From $300 for 9.99 acres up to a maximum of $2,000.

•Special Exception: $300.

•Variances: $500.

•Subdivision Plat review (preliminary): $300 plus $10 per lot.

•Subdivision Plat review (final): $100 plus $50 per lot.

•Land Disturbance permit: $50 per acre.

•Telecommunication tower: $1,000.

•Zoning Ordinance and Development Ordinance: $25 each, or both are available on disc or e-mail for $10 each.

•Zoning Map: $10 (once GIS is instituted).

•Application Tabling Fee (petitioned by applicant): $200.

New Construction inspection fees, with a formula of square feet multiplied by $50 to approximate the value of construction, are as follows:

•$400 for heated space valued up to $80,000.

•Values over $80,000 would pay an additional $3 per each thousand dollars or fraction thereof in value.

•Unheated space remains at five cents per square foot and would be added to the fee for heated space.

Addition and remodeling construction fees will be calculated using the same formula as for new construction, and are as follows:

•$150 for heated space up to $20,000 in value.

•Values over $20,000 would pay an additional $3 per each thousand dollars or fraction thereof.

•Unheated space with electricity would be a minimum of $150 for the first 3000 square feet and five cents per square foot over 3000 square feet.

•Without electricity, the first 1000 square feet of unheated space would be $50 and five cents per square foot over 1000.

•Minimum inspection fee would be $50.

Charges for permits include the following:

Culvert—$50, Grading—$50 (less than one acre), Electrical—$50, HVAC—$50, Plumbing—$50, Logging—$1,500 property bond, letter of credit or check which is refundable if road is protected, Business License–$70 or $45 after July 1 and $50 for renewal.

County Ordinance fines are as follows:

•Animal Control violation—first offense, $210 and second, $420.

•Disorderly Conduct violation—first offense, $210 and second, $420.

•Solid Waste violation—first offense $300 and second $435.

•Theft of Services violation—first offense $300 and second $435.