By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
A proposed annexation and zoning of 280 acres of land on Allendale Road drew a large, vocal crowd to the February City Council meeting.
Eight members of the public spoke in opposition to the item during the public hearing, expressing their disappointment with the proposed annexation and what they said was a lack of prior communication on the issue.
“I’m all for growth, but not when you’re stacking people up like cordwood,” said Ashley Johnson. “Woodruff has always set the bar higher than everyone else; now all it feels like you want to do is grow.”
Several speakers echoed the frustration over the rapid growth in the area, calling for more responsible growth.
The speakers all indicated they are Spartanburg County residents but not in the city limits of Woodruff. A point that frustrated many because they have no recourse over the decision.
“All of us who live in the county can’t vote for you or run for City Council,” one speaker said. “What right do we have?”
Others indicated that they hadn’t heard about the annexation prior to this meeting, which was the second reading for the item.
After the public hearing, the Council approved the annexation of the land and zoning it as R-2 single-family residential.
In other business, the Council approved the rezoning of a parcel at 801 Buncombe Street Extension from C-1 neighborhood commercial to R-3 multi-family residential and the annexation of three 10-foot strips of land along Highway 101 to connect a property to the city limits.
The Council also approved an ordinance to repeal and replace Section XI of the zoning ordinance to update the signage and other standards within the revitalization district downtown.
In new business, the Council approved a new City of Woodruff Employee Handbook. City Manager Lee Bailey said some of the updates were made at the recommendation of the city’s insurance provider. Other updates included adding two new holidays for city employees – Veteran’s Day and Juneteenth – and new provisions for employees who retire from the city and later return to work.
The Council accepted a petition and approved the first reading of a request to annex two parcels encompassing nearly 35 acres on Highway 101 at Hart Road and zone the parcels as R-2 single-family residential.
Woodruff City Council meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every month at city hall. The meetings are open to the public and the next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Author: Tracy Sanders
