By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
The Woodruff Planning Commission voted to table a request to rezone more than 60 acres near Highway 101 and Arnold Road from the city’s new planned development (PD) classification to industrial and commercial. Commissioners proposed a pause in the request to allow time to seek a revision to the PD classification to allow for industrial development.
The change comes amid a request by Trinity Partners for a combined industrial/commercial development as part of a previously approved planned development for the area. The current PD classification was approved to allow developers to build combined residential and commercial projects without seeking multiple zoning approvals. The classification, however, did not allow industrial to be included in the developments.
Macon Lovelace, a partner with Trinity, explained the request for the rezoning was necessary as they have an industrial project in the works to be part of the proposed development. They are working with Mark III Properties of Spartanburg to develop the commercial portion of the company’s planned development along Highway 101.
While details of potential tenants for the commercial/industrial project were not identified, Lovelace indicated that they are working with several national and regional companies to move to the area, including potential dining, retail, and medical businesses.
Commission chair Clay Varner said the Commission prefers not to continually rezone properties but would rather seek long-term solutions to better accommodate development coming to the area. Therefore, he proposed tabling the current request to allow city staff to look into revisions to the PD zoning classification to accommodate this type of request.
The revisions are expected to go before the city council for review and a vote, which would accommodate the request from Trinity Partners.
In other business, the Commission approved a request by staff to amend the zoning ordinance to change the language in the conditional use permit section. A review of the ordinance found the city’s current language to be out of compliance with state law. The change was approved unanimously.
Author: Tracy Sanders
