An amendment to the Lincoln County Land Development Code will give landowners more options concerning the placement of garages and other accessory buildings along entrance and lake corridors.

The action was taken at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners held Thursday, May 10.

"In the past, prefabricated buildings were prohibited in some areas of the county," according to Meg Burg, planning and zoning director. "This amendment will allow homeowners in residential areas and on entrance and lake corridors to place prefabricated accessory buildings on their property. However, these structures must meet the required design standards and setback requirements as noted in the amendment."

For example, the building must have enclosed gables, boxed eaves with a minimum overhang of 12 inches, and "trim, siding, and rooffinish colors consistent with the existing primary building or principle residence or other colors approved by the director."

In additional comments, Director Burg reminded county residents that all accessory structures that are constructed on a permanent foundation and/or exceed 120 square feet in area require a permit.

In other business, the county adopted a more stringent outdoor water use schedule in accordance with the Georgia EPD's (Environmental Protection Division) "level two drought response."

The level two schedule is as follows:

.. Odd-numbered addresses may water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m.

.. Even-numbered addresses may water only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The schedule will remain in effect until further notice.

"As for Lincoln County, we're not experiencing any major problems right now, but that's not to say we won't have any, especially if the dry weather continues," said Roby Seymour, public works director. "These new restrictions will no doubt minimize the effects of the drought on the county."

Additional information may be obtained by visiting Lincoln County's website at .

In further business, the commission:

.. Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by Director Ernie Doss, who indicated that the ambulance service responded to 93 calls for emergency assistance during the month of April.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators handled 741 emergency calls last month, monitored 6,615 radio transmissions, and dispatched a total of 531 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

.. Heard the Public Works Department Report given by Director Seymour, who noted that the county billed 1,525 water customers for a total of $41,231.14 last month.

Concerning roads, the director indicated that his staff has been busy motor grading and bush-hogging various roads, doing site prep for Hero Metal Furniture Company's new distribution center behind Top Grill on the McCormick Highway, and paving Lake Drive off of Guillebeau Drive. The paving project is being funded by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues.

.. Voted to approve the Lincolnton- Lincoln County Sewage Delivery Strategy Map. The city's sewage service area is comprised of the city, a one-half mile radius outside the city limits, and the Soap Creek area. The remainder belongs to the county, including the business park on Old Petersburg Road.

The map was approved by the City of Lincolnton at its April meeting.

.. Voted to approve a bond reduction request in the amount of $70,000 made by Generations Land Companies, LLC in connection with proposed improvements to the Larkspur Landing subdivision. It was reported that the road leading into the subdivision was complete to the point of needing gravel and paving, which began on May 4.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathie Davis, who announced that the swimming pool at the Curry Colvin Recreation Center will open Tuesday, May 29. Regular pool hours are from 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $2.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Department Report given by Director Burg, who said her office issued 10 business licenses last month for a total of $550.

Concerning code enforcement activities, 58 building permits were issued in April for a total of $4,672.52.

Burg went on to note that the Planning Commission gave preliminary plat approval for two new subdivisions at its April meeting: Charleston Bay on Tabernacle Church Road and White Rock Estates on White Rock Road.

.. Voted to approve the final plat determination for Phase C of the Providence Ferry subdivision, located off of Highway 79 on Walter M. Remsen, Sr. Drive. Phase C of the development consists of 104 lots on 200.55 acres.

The list of road names includes Westwind Harbour Road, Sunrise Harbour Road, Dockside Lane, Edinburg Way, Lighthouse Pointe, and Cross Creek Way.

Providence Ferry is owned by Kenny Jeffcoat and Roy Jeffcoat of the Energy Conversion Corporation of Anderson, South Carolina.

.. Voted to approve the final plat determination for Serenity Pointe, a 259.03-acre subdivision featuring 99 lots off of Nathania Farm Road.

The property is being developed by Don Barbic and Jack Best of Serenity Pointe, LLC.

The road names in the subdivision are as follows: Fleming Lake Court, Water Way, Lake Estate Drive, Serenity Pointe Drive, Sally Ann Court, Hidden Lake Court, and Robert Way.

.. Voted to grant a side setback variance on 1.1 acres of land on Carpenter Drive in the Deer Run Pointe subdivision to accommodate a building encroachment. The property is owned by Sharon Bryant and Billy McKellar.

.. Voted to abandon portions of Murray Creek Road because they do not serve any substantial public purpose. The land will revert back to the original owners.

.. Reviewed a recommendation from the Public Works Committee that the board authorize county attorney Britt Hammond to make an offer to obtain a .2-acre easement at the intersection of Guillebeau Road and Wells Creek Drive. The intersection presents a safety hazard for motorists.

During the discussion period, it was determined that there is some question as to who actually owns the property. The commission asked Hammond to find out who owns the land and referred the matter back to the Public Works Committee for further study.

.. Voted to adopt a revised fee schedule for land disturbing activities in the county. Unlike the previous schedule, the new schedule features identical rates for both commercial and residential projects. The fee was set at $80 per disturbed acre, with the county receiving $40 and the EPD, $40.

The new schedule went into effect May 11, 2007.

.. Voted to authorize Commission Chairman Walker Norman to request a lease from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the boat ramp near the Savannah River Bridge on Highway 378.

.. Voted to name the main road in the Lincoln County Business Park Commerce Drive.

.. Voted to name the cul-de-sac in the business park Milton Garnett Way.

.. Voted to approve an operating contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) so the county can receive a 50-percent reimbursement of expenses associated with the transit system. The DOT will reimburse the county $14,030.

Since the DOT is changing over to a fiscal year, the contract will cover the period from January 1, 2007, through June 30, 2007.

.. Voted to approve a supplement agreement with the DOT for the purchase of a new van for the transit system. With a 95/5 split, county's share of the $41,800 van amounts to $2,090.

.. Voted to approve a capital contract with the DOT for radio equipment for the new van. The county is obligated to pay 10 percent or $170 of the total cost.

.. Voted to approve a Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Coordinated Transportation Contract with the CSRA Regional Development Center.

"We enter into this contract annually for the reimbursement of transportation expenses," said County Clerk Roxanne Ashmore. "Although the 'trip rates' for the transit system are the same as they were in 2006, the contract amount is for $13,000 compared to last year's contract amount of $13,180. This year, we are projecting 36 fewer trips, based on the previous year's history."

The next regular meeting of the commission will be held Thursday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom at the Lincoln County Courthouse.