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Planning & Development 1266 East Church Street Hall C Jasper, GA 30143 [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Variance Application Information Please read the enclosed packet and instructions completely prior to filling out the application packet. Applications submitted without all required attachments will be REJECTED. Please contact Pickens County Planning and Development if you have any questions regarding the Conditional use process, what is required, or application questions. [PHONE REDACTED] or [EMAIL REDACTED] Please keep this informational packet and return the application to the Pickens County Planning and Development Office. Revised 11/21/2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE REQUIRED TO PROCESS A VARIANCE REQUEST: A A completed application form (all questions must be answered). • Any applications not filled out in their entirety will not be accepted by the Planning and Development office. B A copy of the recorded plat of the property. • You can obtain a copy of this from your surveyor or from the Clerk of Courts Office located in the Pickens County Courthouse. C A site plan drawn to scale, showing all information pertinent to the variance request. Also include a copy of this site plan reduced to an 8 ½” x 11” size piece of paper. • Commercial variances require a professionally prepared site plan done by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect. D Any other information deemed applicable to the variance request by the Planning & Development Office or the Board of Appeals. E Current tax receipt indicating “PAID” status from the Tax Commissioners Office. F Payment – (See enclosed fee schedule.) • Planning & Development accepts check, cash, money order, and credit/debit card (A 2.5% fee applies to all card transactions) It is to be understood by the applicant that this application is to be heard by the Pickens County Board of Appeals under the provisions of the regulations of Pickens County. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present sufficient evidence to justify a variance from the adopted regulations. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Revised 11/21/2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Pickens County The Variance Process (How It Happens) A variance is a request to vary from standards established in any written ordinance or resolution. It is not a rezoning and does not change the use classification of a parcel of land. A variance cannot be requested to allow a use that is not permitted under the current classification, this would require a rezoning. A variance from established rules may be allowed if the facts that make the variance necessary are unique to this parcel and the applicant did not create hardships. The process of requesting a variance begins with the submittal of the required information and the payment of the fee. This is the first step of the gathering of the required information by the staff. Then advertising the public hearing in the local paper. Next, is the public hearing phase. The variance process is normally completed in one public hearing. This hearing is before the Board of Appeals. At the meeting, the particulars of the request will be read, and the applicant will be asked to present the request and state why the variance is needed. Others in support will be allowed to speak next. Then anyone in opposition to the request will be allowed to speak. Ten minutes are allowed per side (not per person), though in a complicated matter, more time may be allowed. If any questions come up during the hearing, the applicant may be asked for clarification. After hearing all the information, the Board of Appeals will vote and either APPROVE or DENY the request. Advertised Public Hearings are mandated by State Law and required by the Board of Appeals to give the citizens a voice in what happens in their community. It is the applicant's responsibility to attend the Public Hearings and be able to answer questions about the project. If you are uncomfortable in this role, you may want to seek the help of a lawyer, surveyor or other professional. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT MEETINGS CONSTITUTES ABANDONMENT AND DISMISSAL OF THE CASE, UNLESS THE APPLICANT SHOWS JUST CAUSE BY REASON OF ILLNESS OR HEALTH OR OTHER EMERGENCY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, IN WRITING, AND ACCOMPANIED BY NEW COSTS FOR RE-ADVERTISEMENT AND HEARING. Upon receipt of completed application and attachments, the Planning & Development staff will conduct an analysis and make a recommendation to the Board of Appeals. This is a recommendation only; the Board of Appeals will make the final decision. If you have any questions about the process, what is required or the forms in this packet, please contact the Planning and Development Office at [PHONE REDACTED]. Revised 11/21/2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- AG Residential Agricultural 300.00 $ SA Small Agricultural 300.00 $ ER Estate Residential 400.00 $ RR Rural Residential 400.00 $ SR Suburban Residential District 500.00 $ UR Urban Residential District 500.00 $ SPC Special Planned Community 2,500.00 $ SRPC Suburban Residential Private Community 2,500.00 $ NC Neighborhood Commercial 750.00 $ HB Highway Business 1,250.00 $ I Industrial 1,500.00 $ 500.00 $ Variance 500.00 $ Appeals 500.00 $ Minimums for Subdivision (3 or more lots) ER Estate Residential (Subdivision) 1,000.00 $ RR Rural Residential (Subdivision) 1,500.00 $ SR Suburban Residential (Subdivision) 2,000.00 $ UR Urban Residential (Subdivision) 2,500.00 $ PICKENS COUNTY Special Use Permits/Conditional Uses The fee schedule is subject to change by the Board of Commissioners. Please check with the Planning & Development Office if there are any questions. Individual or under 10.0 acres (excluding AG & SA) all others are + $10.00 per acre FEE SCHEDULE FOR APPEALS, REZONE, SPECIAL USE, AND VARIANCE REQUESTS (Effective 12/01/2020, BOC Adopted Revised 11/21/2021