Richmond Hill Resource Guide

Leadership:

 
Mayor E. Harold Fowler
(912) 756-2591
fax (912) 756-3368
Mike Melton
City Manager
(912) 756-3345
Ursula Lee
City Clerk
(912) 756-2749
 
Richmond Hill City Council
Jimmy Hires       jhires@richmondhill-ga.gov
mhodges@richmondhill-ga.gov     Marilyn Hodges
Van Hunter      vhunter@richmondhill-ga.gov
rcarpenter@richmondhill-ga.gov    Russ Carpenter
 
Business License Contact and Procedures:
 
Grace Smith
Tax Clerk
(912) 756-2846
 
1.       Prior to opening a new business in Richmond Hill a business license must be obtained from the Tax Clerk at City Hall or online at the city’s website www.richmondhill-ga.gov.
2.       Businesses requiring a license or state certification must submit a copy to the Tax Clerk at the time application for the business license is made. A physical address must be listed on the application. No post office box address will be accepted as the physical address.
3.       The proposed business license will be routed through the Planning and Zoning Department, Fire Department and Water Department for review. A change of occupancy or a certificate of occupancy may be necessary if the business location was previously occupied by another type of business or is located in new construction. The business will be notified in five to seven business days of approval/disapproval.
4.       Businesses will pick-up and pay (based off the estimated gross sales or the based on the number of employees for the upcoming year) for the approved license(s) at City Hall.
5.       Business licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31. Businesses are responsible for renewing their business license annually. Penalty late charges will accrue beginning April 1.
 
Planning and Inspections Contacts:
 
Steve Scholar
Director, Planning and Zoning
(912) 756-3851
Jan L. Bass
Economic Planner
(912) 756-6459
Tim Saia
Code Enforcement Officer
(912) 756-3592
 
Randy Dykes
Inspections Supervisor
(912) 756-7273
 
Charles “Bubba” Bunting
City Inspector
(912) 756-4521
 
Tony VanHook
City Inspector
(912) 756-6457


Zoning Contacts and Procedures:
 
Nancy L. Frye
Zoning Administrator
(912) 756-3735
Amanda Styer
Zoning Clerk
(912) 756-3641
 
  1. To find out the zoning of a parcel of land contact the Zoning Administrator @ (912) 756-3345. It may be necessary to have the map and parcel number to determine the zoning as well as the physical address.
  2. In order to change the zoning of a parcel there are a number of steps.  The process may take roughly 4-6 weeks. Forms can be obtained at the Planning and Zoning Office or online at the city’s website www.richmondhill-ga.gov.  Fees must be paid at the Planning and Zoning Department located on 85 Richard R. Davis Drive, Richmond Hill. Fees are based on the number of acres needing to be rezoned. 
  3. A public hearing is necessary therefore a date will be selected on the Planning Commission’s agenda for the possible rezoning of the parcel. Notifications will sent to surrounding property (300-foot radius) owners and an ad publicizing the public hearing will run for two weeks in the local newspaper.
  4. The Planning Commission will recommend approval or disapproval of the rezoning. All recommendations will go before the City Council for final approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
 
Sign Information: 
 
New                                                                             50 cents per sq. ft. min. of $35.00
Renewal Fee (Annual)                                                $5.00 per each sign               
Temporary   (60 days per year)                                  $25.00 per each permit
 
Planning and Zoning Fees:
 
Type
Charges
 
LDA PERMIT            (Soil & Erosion)                                                Base Rate $50.00 Plus $3 Per Acre
(1 Acre & Larger)
 
NPDES FEE (Submitted With LDA)                                 $40 Per Acre
 
SKETCH PLAN REVIEW                                                    $100                                      
 
MASTER PLAN REVIEW                                                    $100.00 Plus $10 Per Acre
 
RESIDENTIAL PLAN REVIEW                                          $200 Plus $10     Per Lot 
 
COMMERCIAL PLAN REVIEW                                          $500 Plus $75.00 Per Acre
 
MINOR SUBDIVISION (1- 2 Lots)                                    $150
 
PRELIMINARY PLAT MAJOR SUBDIVISION $150 Plus $10 Per Lot                                      
 
FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT                                                $150 Plus $10 Per Lot
 
INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION                                  Residential $250 Plus $10 Per Lot
                                                                                                                                Commercial $500 Plus $100 Per Acre          
 
VARIANCES                                                                          $150
 
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT                                            $150
 
TEXT AMENDMENT                                                            $200
 
MAP AMENDMENT (RE-ZONING)                                    $150 Plus $25 Per Acre
 
BUILDING PERMIT FEE (New)
                                -Residential                                                                          Square Footage X $45 X .0065
                                -Commercial                                                                        Square Footage X $68 X .0065
 
MOBILE HOME/OFFICE PERMIT                                      (Width X Length) X .15 (Minimum $35)
 
ACCESSORY BUILDING PERMIT                                    $35 (All Sizes)
 
SWIMMING POOL INSPECTION                                      $35 Per Inspection
 
NO NOTICE INSPECTION FEE                                        $75
 
PENALTY FOR MOVING IN W/O A CO                             $250
 
RE-FILING FEE                                                                    $100
 
EXISTING BUILDING INSPECTION FEES                     $35 (Change Of Occupancy)
 
RE-INSPECTION FEES                                                     1st - $35                 2nd - $50                 3rd - $75
 
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION FEE                                     $35
(See Revenue Ordinance For Temp. Install)
 
MECHANICAL INSPECTION FEE                                    $35
 
PLUMBING INSPECTION FEE                                         $35
 
HEATING & GAS FITTING FEE                                         $35
 
DEMOLITION & MOVING OF STRUCTURES $35
 
REPLACEMENT & INSTALLATION OF
LOST OR BROKEN CURB STOPS                                  $66 - $36 Parts; $30 Labor
 
RIGHT OF WAY PERMIT                                                    $75
 
CELL TOWER PERMIT                                                      Cost X .008
 
Utilities:
 
Water/Garbage
Contact: Tamala Montgomery in City Hall
(912) 756-6489
Gas
Atlanta Gas Light Company
1 800 427 5463
Electricity
Savannah Electric
(800) 437-3890
 
Telephone
Coastal Communications
(912) 408-2245
 
Cable
Comcast Communications
(912) 354-7531
 
Electricity
Coastal Electric Cooperative
(912) 884-3311
 
Helpful Information:
 
Chamber of Commerce
2591 Hwy 17, Suite 100
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
 
 
Kittie Franklin
Executive Director
(912) 756-3444
Convention and Visitors Bureau
11460 Highway 144
Post Office Box 1067
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
 
Chris Sheppard
CVB Director
(912) 756-2676
(912) 660-4113
Women’s Business Alliance
Post Office Box 1946
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
 
 
 
April Groves
WBA President
(912) 756-7113/3444


 
Harvey Lashley
City Parks and Recreation Director
Cedar Street
(912) 756-2317
 
J. F. Gregory Park
335-acre multi-use recreational area 
Applications for the rental of park facilities can be picked up at city hall or online at www.richmonhill-ga.gov
 
Home to the Veterans Monument and Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival
A great deal of history surrounds the park located on Cedar Street. In the nineteenth-century, the park encompassed one of many prosperous rice plantations, which fed confederates in our community. Union forces marched along the southern bank in December 1864 to attack and capture Fort McAllister. Eventually this land was purchased by Henry Ford in 1925. The park was named after Henry Ford’s plantation foreman, who resided and cultivated the land. In 1998, the land was cleared and restoration of the historic trails and land began. The park features…
 
Wetland Education Center
Covered Pavilion
Fishing
Veterans Monument
Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail
2 Restored Henry Ford Era homes
3-Mile Nature Trail
10-Acre Lake
Hiking
Bird Tower
Coastal GA Greenway
 
Conference Center
The proposed 26,000 square foot facility will be housed in JF Gregory Park, located behind the municipal complex. The city conference center would have full catering capacity and modern video conferencing capabilities.
 
Piercefield Park
4-acre community recreational area
Located on Sandpiper Road in the Piercefield subdivision, this community park features a variety of playground equipment and a basketball court for all to enjoy.
 
Blueberry Park
.5-acre community commons
Blueberry Park is located just off of Hwy 144 West, near Oleander Road in the Blueberry Subdivision. Historic Henry Ford Era homes surround this peaceful acreage.
 
Richmond Heights Park
1-acre community commons
Located in the Richmond Heights subdivision, this passive park is for all to enjoy.
 
Ozzy Skate Park
.25-acre skateboard and rollerblade
Located within the Richmond Hill Recreation Park (38-acres multipurpose sports facility) located off Ball Park Road. The skate park is the first of its kind in Bryan County. Ozzy Park is intended to provide a recreational outlet to the youth in the community by giving skateboard enthusiasts a safe place to perfect their skills rather than on local streets.
 
Boles Community Park
Newest acquisition: 7-acre tract. Construction is ongoing at this time.
 
Fort McAllister
Fort McAllister, located in south Bryan County has been referred to as a jewel in Georgia’s park system. The park attracts more than 12,000 visitors a month. Fort McAllister offers a variety of outdoor activities as well as a museum that showcases exhibits and artifacts from the prehistoric, colonial, and Civil War periods.


School Contacts:
John Oliver, Superintendent
Board of Education
66 South Industrial Blvd
Pembroke, Georgia 31321
Tel: (912) 626-5000 Fax: (912) 653-4386
 
Richmond Hill Primary School
(912) 459-5080
George Washington Carver Elementary School
(912) 459-5111
Richmond Hill Elementary School
(912) 459-5100
Richmond Hill Middle School
(912) 459-5130
Richmond Hill High School
(912) 459-5151
Community Education and After School Program (ASP)
Martha Hall, Program Director
(912) 453-5116
 
Attendance:
 
Richmond Hill Schools
2004-2005
Attendance
2005-2006
Attendance
2006-2007
Attendance
2007-2008
Attendance
2008-2009
Attendance
2009-2010
Attendance
RH Primary School
Expansion completed 2008
665
750
700
720
787
786
RH Elementary School
New building completed 2009
665
750
700
772
825
852
George Washington Carver Upper Elementary School
Expansion completed 2007
620
750
700
725
770
826
RH Middle School
Facility under construction to be completed 2011
985
1000
1050
1098
1167
1213
RH High School
1,260
1300
1300
1300
1455
1538
Total
4,195
4,550
4,450
4,707
5,044
5,215
 
*     12% of the students that attend Bryan County Schools are from military families stationed at Fort Stewart Military Installation and Hunter Army Airfield
 
*     24% of the students that attend Richmond Hill Elementary School, which serves grades 2nd and 3rd are dependants of military personnel.
 
*     27% of the students that attend George Washington Carver Elementary School, which serves grades 4th and 5th are dependants of military personnel
 
Annual Events:
 
February: Georgia Arbor Day/ Tree planting
July: Ol’ Time Family Festival with fireworks
March: Clydesdales in the JF Gregory Park
October: Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival
April: Large Item Trash Pick-up
November: Veterans Day Observance
April: Georgia Cities Week
December: Chili Cook-off
April: Business Expo
December: Christmas Parade
April: Relay for Life
December: Station Exchange Christmas Xtravaganza
May: Memorial Day Observance
December: Christmas on the Ogeechee (boat parade)
 
Check out the local events calendar at the city’s website under the City Calendar and Events tab


Crime Prevention:
 

Statistics
2009
Warnings
7380
Citations issued
4566
Ordinance violations
294
Arrests
932
Accidents
488
Fatalities
0
Injuries
117

Billy D. Reynolds
Chief of Police
(912) 756-5645
 
Richmond Hill has a state certified police department that consists of 29 full-time officers and one full-time code enforcement officer.
 
Fire Protection:
 
Vernon Rushing
Fire Chief
(912) 756-3474
 
RHFD has eight full-time firefighters and 18 volunteer firefighters. They are equipped with four fire engines, a 100-foot aerial ladder, and a state-certified rescue unit. The RHFD has a class 4 rating.
 
Year
Emergency Call Response
Year
Emergency Call Response
 
 
 
 
2009
1032
2006
407
2008
782
2005
357
2007
644
2004
343
 
Emergency Contacts:
 
Police
(912) 756-2626
Fire
(912) 756-2626
Ambulance
(912) 756-2181
Sheriff
(912) 756-2282
South Bryan County Fire
(912) 756 -2181
GA State Patrol
(912) 651-3000
 
Public Works Department:
 
CH2M Hill OMI

* CH2M Hill OMI is one of the nation's leading private operators of wastewater systems. The employee-owned company enables Richmond Hill to access more than 7,500 technical experts

Rick Lauver, Interim-Project Manager
115 Bass Drive
Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
(912) 756-3803
 
  • Rates
Water Base Rate:            $4.50 Additional $1.30 per 1,000 gallons
Resident Garbage:            $6.75 per can
Commercial Garbage:      $10.75 per can
  • Water Bills
 
Month
Printed
Month
Printed
 
 
 
 
December 2009
4371
April 2006
3906
October 2008
4757
May 2005
3702
January 2008
4933
January 2005
3651
May 2007
4480
January 2004
3441
 
  • Wastewater Treatment Center: 500-acre facility with the capacity to treat 1.5 million gallons per day


U.S. Census Data:
 
Population Estimate, July 2008
10,571
Project population, (2013) CEMC data
12,357
Bryan County Population, July 2006
29,648
Average Homeowners, 2000
61 %
Population 18 yrs. or less, 2000
34 %
Population Age 25 - 44 yrs., 2000
36 %
Population over 65 yrs., 2000
11 %
Median Age, 2000
29.3
Households w/ children under 18 yrs., 2000
51 %
Race (white), 2000
81.3 %
Race (African American), 2000
13.7 %
Total Housing Units, 2000
2,573
Bryan County Median Household Income, 2008
$60,830.00
Workforce Distribution, 2000:
Sales and Office Occupations
Management, Professional, and Related Occupations
Educational, Health and Social Services
 
31.7 %
29.7 %
18.1 %
 
Building Permits:
 
Year
Total Issued
Single Family
Multifamily
Commercial
2009
259
132
1
23
2008
269
117
27
38
2007
289
143
0
41
2006
409
136
205
42
2005
335
204
30
25
2004
285
168
8
26
2003
331
231
5
14
2002
305
218
2
20
2001
180
140
0
9
2000
153
103
0
6
1999
56
38
0
8
 
Major Residential Developments:
 
Richmond Place
391
Mulberry
210
Main Street
474
Rushing Street Station
88
Turtle Hill Plantation
180
Ford Plantation
400
Brisbon Hall
120
Lynwood Townhomes
24
Sterling Creek
291
White Oak Village
243
Piercefield Forest
569
Richmond Hill Plantation
700
Richmond Heights
150
Sterling Woods
30
Melrose
110
Richmond Hill Village
150
Ashton Apartments
215
Plantation Apartments
260
Teal Lake
87
Live Oak (townhomes)
133
Cypress Pointe (townhomes)
80
Live Oak (single-family)
174
Summer Hill
137
River Oaks (condos)
146
Total units
 
 
5,147
 


Richmond Hill Zoning (2009)
 
                                    Residential Zoning                                                   Commercial Zoning
R1
Estate, Single-Family, Residential
C1
Neighborhood Commercial
R2
Singe-Family Residential
C2
Downtown Commercial
R3
Multi-family Residential, Apartments, Townhouses, Condominiums, Duplexes
C3
General Commercial
RMHD
Residential Mobile/Manufactured Home District
C4
Interchange Commercial
RPD
Conditional Use, Single-Family Patio Homes
PD2
Mixed-use Development
 
                                                Industrial Zoning                               Other Zoning
I1
Light Industrial
CP
Conservation Preservation
I2
General Industrial
FH
Flood Hazard
PD
Planned Development
AG
Agricultural


City Limits of Richmond Hill (2009)
 
 
Traffic Counts:
 
Department of Transportation (2008)
City of Richmond Hill Average Daily Totals: Vehicles per day
Location
2001
2003
2006
2007
2008
I95 exit ramp #87 NB on Hwy 17 to Ford Ave
16,554
18,430
19,790
60,040
57,230
Hwy 17 @ Mulberry Drive
16,029
17,530
17,790
18,400
21,750
Hwy 144 @ Cherokee Street
12,418
16,540
19,990
19,280
18,690
I95 exit ramp #90 EB on Ford Ave
66,079
73, 890
72,990
71,970
69,780
 
South Bryan County Average Daily Totals: Vehicles per day
Location
2003
2006
2007
2008
Hwy 17 southbound off I95 @ Daniel Siding Rd
22,110
24,250
23,080
22,970
Belfast Siding Rd @ Hwy 17 northbound
47,470
48,020
47,730
42,970


Growth Projections to 2010:
 
Commercial Developments
 
Estimated
Permits:
 
 
 
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Description:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parkers Market
6 Bldgs
2
2
Build Out
 
 
Jackson Court
12 Units
 
1
Build Out
 
 
Interchange Business Park
13 Parcels
6
7
Build Out
 
 
Turtle Hill Commercial
11 Units
4
 
 
Build Out
 
Station Exchange
8 Bldgs
4
 
 
Build Out
 
New Holiday Inn
1 Bldg
1
 
 
Build Out
 
Walgreen
1 Bldg
1
Build Out
 
 
 
Alf Hartley
1 Bldg
Build Out
 
 
 
 
Ford Park of Commerce
19 Units
3
1
Build Out
 
 
Richmond Station
6 Bldgs
2
Build Out
 
 
 
Publix
4 Bldgs
2
Build Out
 
 
 
17 South
15 Units
13
Build Out
 
 
 
Camellia Street
N/A
unk
 
 
 
 
Fairfield Inn & Sleep Inn
2 Bldgs
unk
 
 
 
 
 
Residential Developments
Units
Required Permits:
 
 
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012+
Description:
 
 
 
 
 
Build Out
Richmond Hill Plantation
800
 
 
 
 
Build Out
Live Oak
307
Build Out
 
 
 
Build Out
White Oak
90
40
 
 
 
Build Out
White Oak (Phase II)
125
40
45
 
 
Build Out
River Oaks
140
 
 
 
Build Out
 
Colonial Marsh
240
 
 
 
 
Build Out
Cypress Point
80
Build Out
 
 
 
 
Summer Hill
160
 
 
 
Build Out
 
Main Street
 
Build Out
 
 
 
 
Richmond Place
 
Build Out
 
 
 
 
Ford Plantation
 
 
 
 
Build Out
 
Turtle/ Brisbon
 
 
 
 
Build Out
 
Richmond Reserve
1940
 
 
50
100
100
Buckeye Plantation
203
 
 
Build Out
 
 
The Village at Main Street
108
 
 
 
 
Build Out
Total
 
463
270
230
 
 
 

 
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
Total
Acres
Commercial
Acres
Total
Units
 
 
 
 
Water Ways Township
2,230
145
2,800
Buckhead
598
39
500
Tranquilla Hall, phase 1 and 2
Tranquilla Hall, phase 3
111
49
 
131
60
Brigham Lakes
114
 
58
Saddlebrook
19.5
 
23
Palm Bay
23.74
 
23
Laurel Grove
41.88
 
48
Demeries Lake
Demeries Lake, phase 3
40
59
 
17
36
Dunham Marsh
450+
 
300 lots
1.5 houses per acre and 35% of the property will be reserved for open space
Cottages at Waterford Landings
10
 
51
Wellington Oaks
 
 
41
The Sanctuary
23.87
 
31
Belfast Lake
 
 
180
Joint Heirs
 
 
64
The Bluffs
265
 
145 lots (1.8 houses per acre)
Oak Level Road
 
 
33
Eugene O’Neil
 
 
30
Highway 144 and Spur 1444
226
68
Total project consists of 393 acres
Buckhead Lakes-Belfast Keller
34
 
66
Terra Point, LLC
Belfast Siding and I95
3,339
 
 
LA Law
38.16
 
12
Sandy Springs (North Buckhead)
Sandy Springs Cottages
47
6.11
 
59
10
East Chastain (Phase II)
 
 
97
Hampton (Phase III, IV, and V)
41+
 
67
Kingston
 
 
44
 
Major Residential Developments in south Bryan County:
 
Red Bird Creek
The Cove
Cranston Bluff
Tivoli Marsh
Heron Point
Strathy Hall
Kinsale
Kinsale Bluff
Magnolia Marsh
Buckland Hall
Waterford Landing
Hope Creek
Bailey Plantation
Oak Point
Marsh Harbor
Mill Hill
Jerico
 
 
 
 
Bryan County Contacts:
 
Bryan County
Administrator
W. Phillip Jones
Post Office Box 430
Pembroke, GA 31321
(912) 653-3819
Bryan County
Planning and Zoning
Christy Kinzie
185 Richard Davis Drive
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
(912) 756-7964/653-3893
Bryan County
Development Authority
Josh Fenn
Post Office Box 267
Pembroke, Georgia 31321
(912) 653-4967
 

Industry:
 
Construction                                                               874
Manufacturing                                                           364
Wholesale Trade                                                        101
Retail Trade                                                               761
Professional and Technical                                        288
Finance and Insurance                                               155
Administrative and Waste                                         283
Healthcare and Social Assistance                             479
Accommodation and Food Service                            894
Government                                                               1555
Other                                                                          597
 
 

 2010 Community Resource Guide
 TitleOwnerCategoryLast UpdatedSize (Kb) 
Resouce guid wt graps and ams Jan Bass.PDF2/19/2010 1,230.79 Download