Cherokee County seeks variance for Water and Sewer Authority headquarters construction

During the Cherokee Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on April 10, 2025, a significant discussion centered around a variance request from the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority. The authority is seeking permission to encroach on protected stream buffer zones for the construction of a new headquarters building on a combined 8.63-acre site located at Wilbanks and Airport Drive.

The variance request involves encroaching 11,670 square feet into the 50-foot buffer designated for state waters and 9,140 square feet into the 75-foot impervious setback. These setbacks are part of the Cherokee County Stream Buffer Protection Ordinance, which aims to maintain natural vegetative buffers along streams to protect water quality and manage stormwater.

The applicant, represented by Trevor Andre, argued that the strict adherence to these buffer requirements would render the site significantly less viable for development. The site was purchased in 2022, and the presence of state waters was only identified in late 2024, which the representatives claim has created an unforeseen hardship. They emphasized that the proposed location is ideal for a public utility, as it is adjacent to the interstate and away from residential neighborhoods, minimizing disruption to local wildlife.

The board also heard from Adam Lam, a project manager and architect, who highlighted the challenges posed by the site's topography, which features a significant grade change of 40 to 50 feet. Lam noted that adhering to the buffer requirements would result in the loss of nearly an acre of usable land, which he described as a substantial hardship for the project.

The stormwater department has reviewed the application and indicated that if the variance is granted, the applicant must implement structural stormwater controls to mitigate the impact of the encroachments. This requirement aims to ensure that the development complies with the county's stormwater management criteria.

As the board deliberates on this request, the outcome could have lasting implications for the development of public utilities in Cherokee County, balancing the need for infrastructure with environmental protections. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential decisions on the variance request in upcoming meetings.