Zoning Ordinance

observation towers, transmission towers, windmills, chimneys, smokestacks, derricks, conveyors, flag poles, radio towers, masts and aerials.

Building heights greater than the maximum height requirements listed in Chapter 2 for the B-2, B- 3, M-1, P-1, I-1 and I-2 may be permitted upon review and meeting certain adopted International Building Code (IBC) sections of the Board of Zoning Appeals with the approval of the Athens Fire Department. The maximum height requirement will be established by using certain methods outlined in the IBC that ensure the building/s meets Fire and Life safety aspects of the code. Below are some of the items that will have to be provide in the structure, but the list of safety features is not limited to the following:

1. The building would require a complete fire sprinkler system regardless of square footage to exceed the height limitations listed in each of the districts shown above.

2. Due to the size and height, a fire pump in all likelihood will also be needed. The size of the pump to determine the required fire flow will be determine from the required professionally stamped set of plans.

3. Class 1 standpipe connections must be provided on each floor to establish a minimum fire flow of one thousand (1,000) gallons per minute.

4. Suitable fire department access roads and travel lanes are required to be designed to city street standards in regard to road base materials outlined in the current Subdivision Regulations. This travel lane shall be unobstructed around the structure with a minimum width of twenty-six (26) feet to allow fire truck aerial apparatus and other equipment the ability to setup and safely operate during an emergency.

5.04. SUBSTANDARD LOTS OF RECORD.

The following provisions shall apply to all existing substandard lots of record:

A. Where the owner of a lot consisting of one or more adjacent lots of official record at the time of the adoption of this ordinance does not own sufficient land to enable him to conform to the yard or other requirements of this ordinance, an application may be submitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance from the terms of this ordinance. Such lot may be used as a building site, provided, however, that the yard and other requirements of the district are compiled with as closely as, in the opinion of the Board of Zoning Appeals, is possible.

B. No lot which is now or hereafter built upon shall be so reduced in area that the yards and open space will be smaller than prescribed by this ordinance, and no yard, court, or open space provided around any building for the purpose of complying with the provisions hereof, shall again be considered as a yard, court, or other open space for another building.

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