North Augusta council approves permit-fee update, rezoning and development plan, shifts parade-permit authority and OKs stormwater debris contract

The North Augusta City Council on March 17, 2025, approved several items on second reading and adopted a resolution authorizing stormwater debris work, voting unanimously on each item with one recusal on the contractor resolution.

The package of actions includes a city code update to construction permit fees; a rezoning and an amended general development plan for a large planned-development project at the Martintown/Interstate 20 corridor; an amendment moving responsibility for parade and demonstration permits from Council to city administration; and a resolution to contract CJW Site Services for debris and obstruction removal at city stormwater detention facilities. Councilman David McGee recused himself from the debris-contract vote, as noted in the meeting record.

Why it matters: the items change how building-related fees are codified, move approval authority for demonstrations and parades from the elected Council to administrators (with staff and the city attorney saying the change is intended to streamline scheduling and reduce litigation risk), and put a contractor on contract to clear public stormwater facilities after storm damage.

What the Council voted on (summary of formal actions)

- Construction permit fees (Ordinance 2025-6): second reading to amend Chapter 6, Article 3 (construction permit schedules) of the North Augusta City Code to align code language with items already included in the adopted fiscal-year 2025 budget. Motion to approve was made by Pat Carpenter and seconded by David McGee. Outcome: passed unanimously on second reading.

- Rezoning for East/West Martintown area (Ordinance 2025-07): second reading to rezone approximately 25.59 acres owned by WHo Martintown LLC from GC (General Commercial) to PD (Planned Development). Motion and second were recorded on the floor; outcome: passed unanimously on second reading. The rezoning was considered together with the companion development-plan ordinance described below.

- General development plan for "The Hive" planned development (Ordinance 2025-08): second-reading approval of a general development plan for roughly 201.8 acres east of West Martintown Road between Northcone Avenue and Interstate 20. Council discussion noted the commercial component is unspecified by the developer but was described by council members as beneficial to that side of North Augusta. Outcome: passed unanimously on second reading.

- Parade and demonstration permits (Ordinance 2025-09): second-reading amendment to Article 6, Division 2 (Section 16-100 through 16-105) of the municipal code to transfer permit-issuance authority for demonstrations and parades from City Council to the city administrator (or assistant city administrator). City staff and the city attorney explained the change is intended to streamline annual events (for example the Lions Club Christmas parade) and to reduce the risk of litigation by applying content-neutral administrative standards for time, place and manner. Outcome: passed unanimously on second reading.

- Resolution to contract with CJW Site Services (Resolution 2025-8): authorizing the city to enter a contract with CJW Site Services to remove debris and obstructions from public stormwater detention facilities. Councilman David McGee recused himself from consideration of this item. City staff reported the resolution follows a published request for proposals and selects the low bidder. Outcome: approved (vote recorded as unanimous among voting members present, with McGee recused).

Administrative notes and procedure: Council members and staff repeatedly noted that most policy-level discussion happens at the study session (held the week prior) and that second readings are routine final votes after public notice and the required interval between readings.

Votes at a glance (formal outcomes)

- Ordinance 2025-6 (Chapter 6, Article 3; construction permit schedules): approved on second reading (motion: Pat Carpenter; second: David McGee; outcome: unanimous). - Ordinance 2025-07 (rezoning, ±25.59 acres from GC to PD): approved on second reading (outcome: unanimous). - Ordinance 2025-08 (general development plan, ±201.8 acres, "The Hive" PD): approved on second reading (outcome: unanimous). - Ordinance 2025-09 (amend municipal code §§16-100 to 16-105; parade permits moved to administration): approved on second reading (outcome: unanimous). - Resolution 2025-8 (contract with CJW Site Services for stormwater debris removal): approved (Councilman David McGee recused; resolution adopted by voting members present).

Meeting close: after the votes the Council received administrative reports and set an executive session for property and contract negotiations under the statutory provision cited on the record; the Council adjourned after photographs and remarks.

(Article compiled from Council proceedings and on-the-record motions and votes at the March 17, 2025 North Augusta City Council meeting.)