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Columbia County adopts changes to plat approval, buffer and landscaping rules
Summary
The Board approved second readings of multiple zoning ordinances updating plat approval procedures, buffer and screening rules and landscaping/tree spacing. Changes allow certain concept approvals by the planning director, reduce some buffer widths with protections, permit planted berms, and adjust street/tree spacing and intersection clearance.
Columbia County commissioners on May 20 approved several ordinance amendments to subdivision and zoning standards, including rules for conceptual plan approval, buffers and screening, and landscaping.
The commission approved second readings of ordinance 2502 (chapter 74, subdivisions—procedures for plat approval), ordinance 2053 (chapter 90, buffers and screening) and ordinance 2054 (chapter 90, landscaping). The motions were made and carried by voice/hand vote.
Key changes: under the plat procedure amendment, a property with an approved rezoning would still require a conceptual plan reviewed by the Planning Commission, but subsequent non‑substantive changes that do not alter access, density or the interior layout could be approved administratively by the Planning Services Director. The amendment also allows the planning director to review proposals where existing zoning remains in place.
Buffer and screening amendments reduce a previously required 50‑foot natural buffer around common residential developments adjacent to roads down to 25 feet, but require that the reduced buffer be platted as a separate lot owned by a homeowners association so it remains protected. The revision also permits an interconnecting driveway to cross a buffer, allows planted berms (10–15 feet tall) as an alternative to natural buffers, and allows buffer reductions or waivers adjacent to county‑owned property, Board of Education property, or federally/state‑protected wetlands and floodplains.
The landscaping ordinance clarifies tree species approval authority and increases spacing requirements for shade and ornamental trees from 40/20 feet on center to 45/25 feet. It adds a review requirement with traffic engineering for trees planned within 120 feet of an intersection to avoid creating sight‑line hazards and requires developers to install street trees in areas not associated with a specific building under a timeline agreed with the Planning Services Director.
County staff presented the ordinances as code updates intended to protect buffers while streamlining approvals for non‑substantive changes; the commission approved the second readings as presented.
