Zoning Ordinance

provided the developer follows the specific regulations established in this section for "zero lot line" townhouse units or patio homes.

B. Definitions:

1. RESIDENTIAL TOWNHOUSES: A "townhouse" is defined as a single- family residential dwelling of one or more floors, having or appearing to have a common wall with an adjacent similar unit or units. The ownership of a townhouse shall include the walls inward and the ground underneath to include the front and rear yard, end units shall have one side yard, interior units shall be to the common walls.

2. PATIO HOMES: A "patio home" for the purposes of the Athens Municipal Zoning Ordinance shall be defined as a single-family residential dwelling of one or more floors, which does not have any common walls shared with an adjacent unit or units, but which is located to one side of a less than standard width lot. That is, these homes have a "five foot" setback on one side to maximize the amount of usable outdoor lot area on the other side for a patio, landscaped garden, or other outdoor living area.

C. Regulations for Townhouses:

All townhouse complexes shall incorporate the following features, which have proved to provide the most attractive developments:

1. They shall contain a minimum of three (3) units in each building.

2. Each townhouse shall have an architectural character that is individual yet compatible with its neighbors.

3. Subdivision Plat Approval Procedure for Townhouse Construction:

Since it is intended that the land in a townhouse development be used for owner-occupied townhouses, each townhouse shall occupy a separate subdivision lot. Since the townhouses are joined or appear to be joined, they shall be built as entire units.

Therefore, to prevent the sale of individual un-built lots, no individual lots can be recorded until the following subdivision and development process shall have been followed by the developer:

a. Prepare a site plan and a preliminary subdivision plat for the proposed townhouse development.

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