Committee discusses certified surveys, land-record funds and agrees to credit prior CUP fees toward short‑term rental license

Richland County held a discussion on zoning procedures, land‑records funding and a short‑term rental fee credit during a committee meeting. Staff described ongoing problems with certified survey maps (CSMs) required for several zoning petitions, outlined planned updates to floodplain mapping and land‑records projects, and noted a DNR response to an alleged wetland alteration. The committee also voted to direct staff to draft a policy to credit previously paid conditional‑use permit (CUP) fees against the new $25 short‑term rental license fee; the committee approved the direction by voice vote.

The zoning discussion opened with staff explaining that three petitions remain incomplete because applicants have not submitted certified survey maps (CSMs). Staff recommended asking a surveyor to attend a future meeting to give a high‑level explanation of what a CSM must contain; the surveyor Todd Rummler was identified as scheduled to attend next month. Staff also said the county sometimes asks the state plat review to check CSMs, which costs extra but can catch minor corrections surveyors must make.

Staff warned that FEMA recently expanded floodplain designations near Viola; when FEMA finalizes maps the county may need to update references to those maps in its floodplain ordinance. Separately, staff reported that a landowner west of Rockbridge recently cleaned ditches and spread soil in an area that appears to be wetland. A DNR contact, identified in the meeting as Jeff Schur, told staff the matter would likely result in citations and that a restoration plan will be required; the DNR indicated the county would not need to act unless further county permits or actions are required.

On land records and GIS funding, staff summarized two funds used for mapping and records work: a grant account (Fund 23) and retained fees (Fund 48). Staff reported current balances of about $286,000 in the grant fund and about $195,000 in retained fees. Staff said orthophoto and lidar upgrades will require county outlays before grant reimbursement; the county will likely need to use roughly $40,000 from retained fees this year to cover lidar enhancements, with the remainder paid from grant money when available. Committee members asked for written rules or statute language on allowable uses of retained fees; staff agreed to locate and provide the governing regulations.

The committee also reviewed a proposed approach to short‑term rentals. Committee members said past CUP applicants had sometimes paid a $500 fee; the committee agreed by motion that applicants who already paid a CUP fee should receive credit so they would not also pay the new short‑term rental $25 license fee. Greg moved the direction and Mark seconded; the committee approved the direction by voice vote. Committee members directed staff to determine how far back to apply credit, to inventory past CUPs and prepare a proposed policy for the committee to adopt.

Other items included staffing updates (an employee named Jen moved into a zoning/sanitation technician role and the office assistant tech position was being advertised) and a reminder that several zoning petitions were being deferred until applicants complete required documentation. Staff said attorney Wendell (spelled variously in the record) would be consulted on ordinance wording changes — for example, how to reference online GIS zoning maps in place of a physical map kept in the clerk’s office.

The committee asked staff to return with written clarifications on retained‑fee rules, a list of prior CUPs to calculate any credit, and the surveyor’s attendance next month to explain CSM basics.