City of Gaffney

The commission reviewed several rezoning requests. This included a proposal to rezone a parcel on West Buford Street from R-12 to RM for an assisted living facility project. Another request was considered to rezone a property on W. Floyd Baker Blvd. from PDD to General Commercial for the development of a standalone urgent care center. A third request involved rezoning a property at 115 Escambia Ave. from College Educational District to R-12 to facilitate tax revenue. Additionally, the Zoning Administrator provided an update on the status of the Zoning Ordinance and Historic District maps.

The commission reviewed and approved a preliminary plat for a major subdivision known as Brooks Park. They held an extensive public hearing regarding a proposal by ECS Development LLC for zoning districts and annexation, during which community concerns regarding infrastructure impact, growth density, and the loss of farmland were addressed. The commission ultimately voted to recommend that the City Council deny the proposed R-4 and Neighborhood Commercial zoning districts, instead suggesting a mix of R-8, R-12, and R-20, and further recommended that the annexation petition be denied. Additionally, the commission held elections for the 2026 Chair and Vice Chair positions.

The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting included the nomination and unanimous appointment of the 2025 Vice-Chairperson. A key discussion involved a request submitted by Southbound Development Group Inc. for a variance regarding side setback requirements for a proposed urgent care and dental office at 1541 W. Floyd Baker Blvd. Public hearings were conducted where citizens expressed concerns, citing potential harm to local dentists and the loss of the existing Wings Etc. establishment's revenue contribution. After deliberation, the Board voted to deny the requested variance based on the criteria outlined in Zoning Ordinance Section 8.4-6(2). Additionally, the Board discussed and unanimously adopted updated Rules and Procedures for the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Zoning Administrator provided an informational report on updated Zoning Ordinance pages.

The agenda includes a recommendation from the Architectural Review Board (ARB) on the revised boundaries of the Historic Preservation Overlay District (HPOD), revisions to the Zoning Ordinance as it relates to the HPOD and the ARB, and a report from the Zoning Administrator.

The meeting included discussions and a public hearing regarding a request to rezone a property on Providence Road from General Commercial (GC) to General Residential (RG) to allow the owner to divide the parcel into two lots. The Planning Commission approved the request and recommended it to the City Council. The Zoning Administrator provided a report, updating the Board on upcoming rezoning requests for Limestone College and Crypto Currency.