Sumter County Council Tuesday evening discussed a rezoning request, donation bins, cemeteries, storage units and more during the first regular meeting of the year.
City-County Planning Director George McGregor spoke to council members regarding a request to rezone about 2 acres of land at 830 Race Track Road from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to General Commercial (GC). The applicant wishes to construct a Dollar General store. The Planning Commission and planning staff recommend approval, he said.
First reading was approved.
McGregor then delved into the issue of donation bins and how they’re currently unregulated. There’s non-profit entities that place donation bins in parking lots and public areas, and there’s private, for-profit businesses that also have bins out and about.
After some discussion, Vice-Chairman Jimmy Byrd made a motion that the issue should be discussed in committee and Councilwoman Vivian Fleming-McGhaney seconded the motion. The Land Use Committee will take up the issue.
Council members next discussed a request to permit cemeteries in the Residential-15 (R-15) District as a conditional use.
First reading was approved.
McGregor then spoke about a request to reduce minimum parking requirements for mini-warehouse and storage unit businesses. Planning staff conducted a review, he said, and found the required number of parking spaces in Sumter were higher than other places.
First reading was approved.
PUBLIC HEARING AND REPORTS
County Attorney Johnathan Bryan spoke next about an ordinance to transfer Hideaway Court to adjoining property owners. During the public hearing, Louis Watkins spoke against the transfer.
Second reading was approved.
Councilman Charles Edens reported on the Land Use Committee, which met prior to the regular meeting. He said there was discussion about mobile home park regulations. There was a request regarding occupancy rates and the parks conforming to standards involving road systems and proximity of the mobile homes. Edens said the committee asked Bryan to draft an ordinance amendment regarding the proposal. The committee also spoke about rezoning properties on Black River Road from R-15 to AC. There was a vote to forward the request to the Planning Commission, he said.
Councilman Eugene Baten announced the Sumter chapter of the NAACP will host a service on Jan. 20 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Fellow council member Vivian Fleming-McGhaney thanked County Administrator Gary Mixon, Assistant Administrator Lorraine Dennis, Clerk to Council Mary Blanding and Communications Coordinator Joe Perry for their work on the recent ‘Blue Campaign Day’ on Jan. 10. A brief ceremony was held at the Sumter County Courthouse aimed to raise awareness of human trafficking and to show support for alleviating this problem.
Mixon reported that Sumter County’s yearly external audit has been completed and he looks forward to a positive report from auditing firm WebsterRogers LLP.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Louis Watkins once again took issue with the language on Council’s agenda and voiced his opinion the language should be in layman’s terms. He also said deceased animals along the road pose a public health hazard.
Jackie Hughes said the American Legion Post 15 on Feb. 3 will give out Public Safety awards to outstanding first responders.
Three deputies from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office – Bryan Rulong, Craig Pomochalek and Nelson Rosario – spoke in favor of a pay raise for sheriff’s deputies.
Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. noted council members usually don’t respond to public comments, but said they recognize the need to give deputies pay increases. He also said he’d received a document from Sheriff Anthony Dennis on the day of the council meeting, adding that County Council appreciates the job performed by deputies each and every day.
Baten voiced support for a pay raise, as did Jackie Hughes and Louis Watkins.
Inv. Randall Stewart expressed concerns about the switch from Republic Waste Services to Waste Management and how it affected garbage collection in his Dalzell neighborhood.
The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.