The

framework for new environmental regulations is on

its way to the Fayette County Commission for its

consideration.

The

Planning and Zoning Commission has unanimously

adopted a new chapter to the county land use

plan, identifying natural and historic resources

in the county.

Identified

are features such as rivers and streams and their

flood plains, various soil types, wetlands,

watershed protection areas, geological formations

and historical places.

Approval

of the chapter drew praise recently from local

environmentalist Dennis Chase. "I'm

encouraged that the county is going in this

direction," said Chase.

He

said Gov. Roy Barnes has recently begun an

initiative on water quality issues that will

affect counties like Fayette. Halting pollution

and excess runoff in local waterways is

"going to become a very significant

issue," he said.

He

also praised planners in Fayette for moving

forward quickly on environmental issues and not

waiting for state-imposed deadlines to spur them

to action.

"All

that's going to lead to some very positive things

for Fayette County," he predicted.

If

the County Commission approves the new land use

plan chapter in its April 27 meeting, the work

will have just begun, said Chris Venice, county

planning director. Next on the agenda is passage

of new regulations governing wetlands, flood

plains and ground water recharge areas, all of

which may make developing land in Fayette more

difficult, particularly in the southern end.

"The

land use in the southern area of county, given

the environmental concerns in that area, may need

to be changed," Venice told the Planning

Commission during a recent work session.

"We

may have an area that's designated for one-acre

lots that's loaded with wetlands, and we'd have

to ask if that's a good idea or we should change

it to five-acre lots," she said this week.

"And vice versa. We could have an area

that's high and dry and has good soils designated

for five-acre lots and might want to reconsider

that," she said.

The

Planning Commission will begin its review of the

proposed ordinances April 20.

The

first two ordinances will be updates of existing

ones, to meet new state standards. The third will

be a new law, again written to meet new state and

federal laws.

quick glance at the Planning Department's new

color maps detailing soil types, wetlands and

other features shows why the southern part of the

county will be more difficult to plan land uses

for.

Not

only does the area have three large groundwater

recharge areas, but also all of Fayette's

waterways converge as they move south, increasing

the percentage of land affected by the new

regulations.

"Fayette

is one of the most heavily covered counties with

recharge areas," said Venice.

In

addition to environmental concerns, the new land

use plan chapter also addresses historic

resources. It's titled Natural and Historic

Resources, and lists the county's historic

treasures.

The

commission meets tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the County

Administrative Complex.

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