Homeowners whose lots back up to Lake Kedron are being reminded to follow city and state laws regulating the amount of buffer and greenbelt areas around the lake that must be undisturbed.
The Fayette County Water System, which uses the lake as a reservoir, brought some recent violations of the buffering and greenbelt areas to the city’s attention, said city spokesperson Betsy Tyler.

In addition to the buffer violations, the county noted that some residents may be launching boats from their homes although the only authorized place to launch a boat on the lake is from the publicly-accessible boat docks. No Lake Kedron residents have an easement for private access to the lake, officials said.

The matter is of such significance that the City Council will be briefed on the issue at a special called meeting Monday night at 6:30 p.m.
The city’s code enforcement department mailed a letter to Lake Kedron homeowners reminding them of the following regulations that must be abided.

For buffers:
• An undisturbed natural buffer shall be maintained for a distance of 100 ft. measured from the normal pool elevation of the lake.
• No vegetation can be removed or planted without a city permit.
• No herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals, either natural or man-made, can be used in this buffer.
• No burning of yard debris is permitted in the undisturbed buffer.
• Impervious surfaces, other than cart paths, are prohibited within 150 ft. of the normal pool elevation or the stream bank. This prohibition includes septic tanks and drainfields.
• Land-disturbing activities shall not be conducted within 25 ft/ of the banks of the lake.
• Prior to the removal of any vegetation within an undisturbed buffer, you must contact the City Planner who will visit your property and discuss what will and will not be permitted within the undisturbed buffer on your property.
A permit must be secured from the City prior to removal of any vegetation within this buffer. Contact the City Planner at 770-487-5731 for additional information.

For greenbelts:

• Absolutely no disturbance will be permitted within greenbelt areas.

• Trees that fall from a greenbelt into a greenbelt are usually left in place. Any vegetation that needs to be removed must be evaluated by City Staff prior to removal.

• No dumping of any kind is allowed. This includes tree limbs and grass clippings. No burning of yard debris is allowed.

For boats:

• The Kedron boat docks on Peachtree Parkway North are the only designated location for launching boats onto the lake – no property owner around the lake has private access to the lake.

• No boats or trailers may be parked within 20 ft. of the rear lot line of a property.