Columbia Star

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Richland County adopts Land Development Code Rewrite



Article Updated With Corrections November 24, 2021

 

The Richland County Council met November 16. The following members were present: Council Member Bill Malinowski (District One), Council Member Derrek Pugh (District Two), Chair Paul Livingston (District Four), Council Member Allison Terracio (District Five) Council Member Joe Walker III (District Six), Council Member Gretchen Barron (District Seven), Council Member Overture Walker (District Eight), Council Member Jesica Mackey (District Nine), Council Member Cheryl English (District Ten), Council Member Chakisse Newton (District Eleven).

The Land Development Code Rewrite was approved on third reading with an amendment that removes the original moratorium on rezoning requests and includes an interim schedule. The approved ordinance will include a rezoning moratorium only for District 11. The first reading was approved September 28. The second reading was approved October 19.

The Land Development Code Rewrite is a 521-page document created with consultation from Clarion Associates and brought before council and the public for frequent debate and discussion over the past year. After approval by council, the Planning and Zoning Commission will continue to receive requests from Richland County residents regarding rezoning of property.

Geonard Price, Deputy Planning Director/ Zoning Administrator, provided an explanation of the current ordinance, explaining, “Until December 1, 2021, Richland County citizens (outside of District 11) can ask for rezoning for current zoning designations. After December 1, 2021, citizens can ask for a rezoning request for a district that will be found within the new Land Development Code Rewrite.”

Any items that come in after November 30, 2021, under the Land Development Code Rewrite will not be finally approved until May 2, 2021.

Price said information concerning the Land Development Code Rewrite will be provided to all affected Richland County citizens through a mailout explaining what new rezoning classification has been assigned to each citizen’s property. Public forums and meetings will be held to explain the new ordinance to the public.

Newton requested by motion to pause rezonings in District 11 until council finished applying the new land development code designations to the map.

According to a post on her Facebook page, Newton wanted the pause , “Because we’ve had problems with rezonings in the past where the comprehensive plan does not reflect the lived character of our communities in Lower Richland. That’s what I’m working to fix. My predecessors made zoning decisions that I disagree with, and I’m doing everything I can moving forward to make sure we have the rules that protect the kind of community we want. The rezoning pause is another way I’m fighting for us to have more control over the character of our community. There is more information to come. And we’ll have an opportunity to come together to see the proposed maps before the county votes on them.”

 

Newton’s motion was adopted by majority vote.

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