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Commissioners approve first readings of code changes on plats, buffers and landscaping
Summary
The board gave first readings to several ordinances amending county code on plat approval procedures, buffer and screening requirements and landscaping standards; changes would let staff handle minor concept-plan tweaks, reduce buffer widths with protections, and adjust street-tree spacing.
Columbia County commissioners approved the first readings of three ordinances May 6 that would change administrative procedures and development standards for plats, buffers and landscaping in county code.
Ordinance No. 25-02 (Chapter 74, subdivisions, Article 2) would allow staff to approve minor concept-plan changes after an initial board-approved concept plan if the change does not increase density, add units or significantly alter access. The amendment also clarifies that some concept plans can be waived where no public utilities or infrastructure dedication is required.
Ordinance No. 25-03 (Chapter 90, supplemental requirements, buffers and screening) would reduce a mandatory undisturbed buffer from 50 feet to 25 feet in certain cases in exchange for platting the buffer as a separate lot to protect it from later homeowner encroachment. The draft also exempts properties adjacent to county-owned green space or state‑protected wetlands or floodplains from duplicative buffering requirements.
Ordinance No. 25-04 (Chapter 90, landscaping) would revise required tree spacing, increasing shade-tree spacing from 40 to 45 feet on center and understory tree spacing from 20 to 25 feet on center, and would require clearer timelines for installing street trees and landscaping earlier in the development process rather than leaving installation to the lot-builder punch list.
Staff said the changes were developed with the local development community and county management and would require additional readings before adoption. Commissioners approved the first readings by voice vote and asked staff to return with required subsequent readings.
