The Town is requesting the assistance of the Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments (COG) to update the town’s current zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. Representatives from the COG are expected to attend the March council meeting and discuss their services with the town council.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The original zoning ordinance for the town was developed by the COG for the Turbeville Planning Commission and adopted by the town council at its meeting on April 11, 1995. There have been very few amendments to the zoning ordinance over the years, however, certain developments over the last several months have raised some questions to some of the language and articles in the ordinance. There is a feeling that the ordinance needs to be overhauled to become more relevant to the current situations in the community.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Under the South Carolina Comprehensive Planning Act, all entities involved in planning and zoning activities are required to prepare a comprehensive plan for the community. Unfortunately, the town has not developed this required plan. The comprehensive plan includes, at a minimum, the following nine elements:
1) Population element.
2) Economic development element.
3) Natural resources element.
4) Cultural resources element.
5) Community facilities element.
6) Housing element.
7) Land use element.
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8) Transportation element
9) Priority investment element.
The comprehensive plan, including all of the elements of the plan, must be updated at least every 10 years. The planning commission must re-evaluate the plan at least every 5 years.
In order for the town to be in a position to properly plan for the future and address potential growth it must address both of these issues in a timely manner.
