Planning commission backs county-initiated land-development code cleanup; retains special-use review for emergency services

The Putnam County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a county-initiated package of text amendments to the Putnam County Land Development Code on April 8, 2025, while preserving special-use permit review for emergency services in certain zoning districts and adjusting proposed language on recreational-vehicle (RV) temporary occupancy.

Zachary Baker, Planning and Development Services, described the county-initiated docket (LDC25-000001) as primarily a “cleanup” effort to correct scrivener errors and clarify permit triggers across Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. Key proposed changes shown to the commission included:

- Clarifying permit requirements for artificial ponds and borrow areas and requiring site-work permits for ponds; adding waterfront setbacks for artificial ponds and maximum pond depth specifications. - Adding limited exemptions and clarifications for bona fide agricultural accessory buildings and small well/pump houses in setbacks. - Allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in commercial districts by special use permit (and aligning table references throughout the code) and clarifying construction standards for ADUs. - Standardizing terminology and correcting formatting/scrivener errors across numerous sections, and tightening material requirements and references for drainage and pipe materials per public works input.

The proposed amendment initially removed special-use permit requirements for emergency services (it would have made emergency services an allowed use by right in agricultural, residential and low-intensity commercial districts). Michael Woodward, a member of the public, urged retaining SUP review for emergency facilities to ensure neighborhood-specific compatibility and a public hearing process. Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between easing siting of emergency facilities and preserving notice and public review. The commission ultimately instructed staff to keep emergency services as a use requiring SUP in Agriculture, Agriculture Estate, Residential 1–4, RMH (manufactured home zones), CPO and C-1 zoning districts so that proposed emergency facilities in those zones continue to require public review.

Commissioners also discussed proposed changes to RV provisions. Staff proposed adding language to prohibit storing, leaving, or abandoning RVs on vacant parcels; commissioners asked staff to refine that language so the prohibition targets unregistered (abandoned/dilapidated) units. The commission also adjusted temporary-stay thresholds to align with RV park rules (90 consecutive days, 180 nonconsecutive days in a calendar year) and to make those thresholds consistent across affected zoning districts.

After clarifying those two issues (emergency services SUPs in specified zones and the RV unregistered/temporary-stay language), the commission voted to recommend the text amendments to the Board of County Commissioners as amended. The BOCC is scheduled to begin review on April 8, 2025, with a second hearing to be set by the BOCC.