Carrie Smart

The committee reviewed and approved several bills for further legislative action, including an ordinance to implement a traffic calming program for unincorporated areas of the county and ordinances regarding secondary access roads and the adoption of state-mandated building and safety codes. Additionally, a resolution concerning the adoption of the Sangaree Special Tax District Advisory Commission bylaws was tabled for future consideration.

The committee meeting focused on the consideration of Bill No. 17-03, an ordinance proposing a county-wide referendum to potentially change the form of county government from Council/Supervisor to Council/Administrator. Discussions covered the legal and procedural requirements of the proposed referendum, the potential addition of a ninth council member to prevent deadlocks, and the timing of the referendum relative to upcoming special elections. Several amendments were proposed and debated, including increasing council member salaries, making council races non-partisan, and implementing a county-wide millage for recreation, though these amendments were ultimately rejected or failed to pass.

The council discussed workforce housing and safety issues in the Nexton Del Webb development. The Chairman announced a 3% cost of living increase for county employees. Committee reports included the acceptance of the Santee Cooper Rural Economic Development Reimbursement Grant, the purchase of property for parking, and the selection of First Tryon Advisors for financial services. The council approved a CAD firewall solution, resolved several stormwater fee appeals, and authorized additional funds for site cleanup. Zoning ordinance modifications were addressed, and several appointments to various boards and commissions were approved.

The committee reviewed and approved several items, including a $20 million increase to a grant award agreement for infrastructure improvements at the Volvo site. Multiple ordinances concerning fee-in-lieu of tax agreements and economic development projects, including those identified as Project Harp and Project Bull, were discussed and approved for various readings. Additionally, the committee addressed the assignment of fee-in-lieu of tax agreements for industrial properties and reviewed a resolution related to multi-county industrial park developments.

The board reviewed several zoning and variance requests, including approval for a radio tower height exception, a lot size variance, and an accessory footage increase. Additionally, the board approved a request for a sign specification change with specific conditions, granted approval for a driveway location, and denied a request for a buffer and fence installation in a residential area. Another driveway location variance was also approved.