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Commission gives first reading to grading ordinance changes: buffers cut to 25 feet, HOA slope responsibilities added
Summary
At first reading, commissioners approved amendments to Chapter 34 to align grading and buffer rules with Chapter 90: reducing some buffers from 50 to 25 feet, requiring buffers be in common areas, adding planted-berm option, updating tree requirements, and allowing slopes to cross property lines with HOA maintenance and subsurface systems.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the first reading of Ordinance 25‑06, which amends Chapter 34 (environment) of the county code to revise major-site grading, buffers, slope and street-tree provisions. County staff said the changes align Chapter 34 with prior updates in Chapter 90 and address design challenges raised by developers.
Key changes explained by staff include reducing a previously required 50‑foot buffer for mass grading to 25 feet to match Chapter 90;…
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