By Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
The Woodruff City Council heard several items regarding annexation and rezoning of land for planned residential developments at their Nov. 24 meeting.
The council approved the first reading on six items and let a seventh die without a second to a motion to approve.
The first item considered involves the sale of a parcel of city property at the corner of Hayne and Pearson, across from City Hall and east of the Woodruff Public Library to a developer planning the construction of six townhomes. City Manager Lee Bailey emphasized the continued focus on growth and development in the city and downtown area as the impetus behind the sale, which will be completed for $1.
The Council also approved the first reading of two changes to the City of Woodruff Zoning Ordinance that were previously approved by the Planning Commission. One would prohibit first-floor dwelling units in buildings on Main Street in the city’s revitalization district, which the city said would preserve that property for continued efforts to attract more retail and dining businesses to downtown. The second was an amendment to remove setback requirements for buildings that are less than 45-feet in height, which would primarily apply to townhome development in the city.
In development, the Council approved the annexation and rezoning of three lots on Hunter Road and the rezoning of 129 acres of land on McElrath Road and Highway 101 for a planned housing development with approximately 430 units and accompanying amenities such as a clubhouse, park, and sport courts. The current owner of the three lots on Hunter Road was requesting annexation and rezoning with the intent to sell those lots to the developer.
The lone item not approved by the council was a request to rezone nearly 24 acres of land at the corner of Fountain Inn Road and Highway 101 for a housing development. The request, which was recommended for denial by the Planning Commission, failed to gain a second when it was moved for approval, which effectively denied the item. Council member Toni Sloan echoed concerns from the Planning Commission that the city needed to consider preserving some land for potential commercial and industrial development and perhaps slow down on residential development.
All items approved will return to the council for a second reading, public hearing, and council vote at the December meeting.
In other business, the city debuted new technology in the council chambers that provides microphones for council members and presenters as well as recording equipment to document the meetings. The council also approved the schedule of meetings for 2021, which will continue to be held on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., with the exception of the December meeting due to the holiday season.
Bailey provided the council with updates regarding the expected opening of the Block 224 downtown space on Dec. 15 and the estimated opening of the new downtown steakhouse in late December or early January and Bojangles on Jan. 24, 2021.
The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
For previous City Council Meeting recaps, visit the City Council Meeting tab on our website.
