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City of Newberry adopts standards for large-scale retail, lowers size threshold to 60,000 square feet
Summary
The City Commission voted unanimously to adopt ordinance 2025-05 amending land development regulations to create an overlay and development standards for large-scale retail ("big-box") sites, setting a 60,000-square-foot threshold and new buffering, height and parking parameters.
The City Commission of the City of Newberry on June 9 adopted changes to the land development regulations that establish development standards and an overlay district for large-scale retail establishments, lowering the size threshold that triggers the standards to 60,000 square feet.
City planning staff presented the ordinance, which amends the City of Newberry land development regulations and the overlay district to set standards for large-scale retail. The new rules set a maximum building height in the district of 42 feet, widen planting buffers (Zone 1 from 15 to 25 feet, Zone 2 from 25 to 50 feet, Zone 3 from 50 to 100 feet), require wider sidewalks in front of businesses (15 feet minimum), and tighten parking expectations, including encouraging shared parking rather than large separate lots.
"The overlay should apply to the entirety of the continuous unified development," City staff said during the presentation, adding the rules were intended to create a unified development pattern rather than only treating the front façade. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Board said the intent is to allow large retailers to apply under clearer standards while preserving design controls and avoiding excessive surface parking.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the effect of adopting the ordinance and whether passing the ordinance automatically approves any specific retail application. Attorney Walker clarified that adopting the ordinance sets the regulatory framework; any retailer that applies would still need to seek development approval from the commission and could be denied if not a good fit.
The ordinance had been advanced through Planning & Zoning and was returned with recommendations adopted by staff. Commissioner Long moved the ordinance on the floor and Commissioner Monte seconded; the commission voted unanimously to adopt ordinance 2025-05 on its reading by title.
The rules take effect upon codification; staff said applicants may begin applying under the new standards once the ordinance is effective.
