NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council has approved first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 2.39-acre parcel in Chappells to make way for a Dollar General.
The parcel, currently zoned R2 (Rural), is located at the intersection of S.C. 34 and S.C. 39 in Chappells. The new zoning would be GC, or General Commercial.
Greg Googer from Patton Development Company, a Dollar General developer, said Dollar General is currently developing projects across South Carolina. They also have done projects in North Carolina, West Virginia and Ohio.
“We feel there is a need for (a Dollar General there) because of the rural housing that is around that area for Newberry County. It is over a million dollars worth of capital investment for the county and it’s six to 10 jobs for that rural area in the county.”
Anne Peters, director of planning and zoning for Newberry County, said the rezoning was recommended by the Joint Planning Commission with no objections.
Councilman Bill Waldrop made a motion to approve first reading of the ordinance and Councilman Travis Reeder seconded. It passed unanimously.
Council also passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 3.4-acre parcel on Haltiwanger Road from Light Industrial (LI) to Single Family Residential (RS3). A manufactured home has been on the property for some time, but the current zoning does not allow manufactured homes.
The owners of the property want to replace the existing manufactured home, and RS3 would allow them to do so.
The Joint Planning Commission had no objections to the rezoning and recommended the county approve it, according to Peters. Councilman Scott Cain made a motion to approve the ordinance and Councilman Leslie Hipp seconded. It passed unanimously.
Council also passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone two adjoining parcels on Rikard School Road from one Single Family Residential zoning designation — RS-1 — to RS-3, which allows the placement of manufactured homes.
The two lots, which are 2.20 acres when combined, are just outside the incorporated limits of Prosperity.
Peters said the Joint Planning Commission recommended approval with no objection. Waldrop made a motion to approve first reading and Reeder seconded. It passed unanimously.
In other business, council held a public hearing on an ordinance amending and revising Newberry County’s zoning ordinance, which was adopted 15 years ago.
Council has been working since March 2011 to revise and modernize the ordinance with three goals: to simplify and streamline the regulations, to create more flexibility in the largest zoning district (R2-Rural) to establish and operate small businesses, and to update the ordinance to reflect the legal technological changes that have occurred since 2001.
No one spoke during the public hearing, but Councilman Henry Livingston urged the public to review the proposed changes to the ordinance, which can be viewed online.
“The council members have a deep desire to try and make this one as workable and user friendly for our citizens as we possibly can,” he said. “Any input beyond us seven and the people who consult us and the county administration team would be greatly appreciated.”
The text and maps associated with the proposed new zoning ordinance are available on the Newberry County website at http://www.newberrycounty.net/Home/Components/News/News/40/18?arch=1.
In other business, County Council:
• Held a public hearing and final reading of an ordinance to impose a one percent sales tax, subject to a referendum.
Before final reading was approved, council approved an amendment changing some of the language due to changes in the CPST statute made during the recent session of the S.C. General Assembly. County Administrator Wayne Adams recommended the changes be made.
The changes were in Section 4.2, which now reads: The Tax, if approved by the Referendum, shall be imposed immediately upon the termination of the Prior Tax, and shall continue for years from the date of such termination, in accordance with 4-10-340(A) of the Code.
• Approved first reading of an ordinance to create the Fox Briar Subdivisions Special Tax District. A referendum vote held June 21 asked registered voters in that subdivision if they would pay a maximum of $150 per lot for the upkeep of Fox Briar Drive, Fox Briar Court and the associated storm water drainage.
Of the 68 registered voters who qualified to participate in the election, 15 voted with all 15 agreeing to the formation of the special tax district.
If the ordinance passes, the $150 annual charge will be placed on the upcoming tax bills pertaining to the affected parcels.