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Florence City Council approves ordinances on animals, zoning, design guidelines, budget and infrastructure
Summary
At its March meeting the Florence City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including limits on ownership of certain animals, amendments to the vacant/abandoned building registry, multiple annexations and zoning changes, adoption of downtown design guidelines, a budget amendment and several infrastructure resolutions.
The Florence City Council approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions at its March meeting, acting on animal-control rules, zoning and annexations, downtown design guidelines, a budget amendment and infrastructure agreements.
City leaders voted to adopt an ordinance amending Article 1, Chapter 3 of the Florence Code of Ordinances to update prohibitions on ownership and keeping of livestock, wild animals and venomous reptiles. The ordinance incorporates language reviewed by biology faculty at Francis Marion University and draws from a still-pending state bill on venomous reptiles, staff said.
The council also approved amendments to the city’s vacant and abandoned building registry ordinance, clarifying three categories of properties and adding fees for commercial and industrial buildings. Council members and staff said the changes aim to target structures that are “falling in,” attracting crime and contributing to blight while excluding actively managed vacant spaces such as properties listed for lease.
Council members approved multiple annexations and rezoning requests, including parcels on Gilbert Drive and Freedom Boulevard (to CG), Tunbridge Place/West Lake Drive (to RG-3), and a rezoning for property on Dexter Drive and Atwood Avenue. On the Dexter Drive parcel the council voted to amend a proposed NC-6.3 request down to NC-6.1 (single-family detached) following planning commission and staff recommendation.
The council adopted updated downtown design guidelines, the Florence By Design document, which introduces a five-tier system to make standards more user-friendly, adds building-height guidance, clarifies open-space and outdoor-dining rules, and allows limited administrative approval for minor projects. Staff said the design-review board and planning commission unanimously approved the update.
A budget amendment ordinance for fiscal year 2024–25 passed to reflect grants and carry-forwards, including $1,250,000 in state appropriations for a fire engine and associated equipment, a FEMA hazard-mitigation grant for a generator at Pine Street Water Plant, and a $50,000 Longleaf grant for Timrod Park recreation rehabilitation. The amendment also moves two sanitation truck appropriations carried forward from the prior year into the current year.
On infrastructure items, the council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter an encroachment agreement with CSX Transportation to allow construction of a 30-inch force main under railroad tracks along North Williamson Road, and later approved a conditional grant and development agreement to incentivize new housing as part of an ongoing East Florence redevelopment project following an executive-session update.
Councilors, staff and presenters noted that state law would supersede municipal ordinances where applicable and that some local ordinances may require later amendment to conform with final state legislation. Vote tallies were recorded by voice at the meeting; the minutes show motions moved, seconded and approved by the council on each item.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance (Bill 2024-22) — Amend Chapter 3 (livestock/wild animals): Passed (second reading). Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-03) — Vacant/abandoned building registry amendments: Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-06) — Annex & zone to CG (Gilbert Dr./Freedom Blvd., TMS 00178-01-244): Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 02507) — Annex & zone to RG-3 (1001 Tunbridge Place / 3740 West Lake Drive, TMS 00751-01-275 & 282): Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-09) — Amend Unified Development Ordinance (FEMA flood hazard update and FIRM adoption): Passed (second reading). Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-10) — Temporary moratorium on final improvement/approvals for properties containing cemeteries: Passed (second reading). Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-11) — Conveyance of surplus city property (~0.319 acres, TMS 00147-01-023) for sports complex and access road: Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-12) — Annex & zone to NC-6.1 (Dexter Drive & Atwood Ave., TMS 00150-01-140): Council amended requested NC-6.3 to NC-6.1 (single-family detached) and approved the motion as amended. - Ordinance (Bill 2025-13) — FY 2024–25 budget amendment (07/01/2024–06/30/2025): Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Resolution (2025-08) — Authorize city manager to enter a facility encroachment agreement with CSX Transportation (30-inch force main on N. Williamson Rd): Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded. - Resolution (2025-09) — Conditional grant and development agreement to incentivize housing in East Florence (post–executive session): Passed. Moved/seconded; ayes recorded.
Council members and staff said items that depend on state action will be revisited if necessary once state legislation is finalized. Several items referenced planning-commission recommendations or technical studies that will guide implementation and permitting.
