Council conditionally approves Fort Mills grand opening after building violations noted

The Eastpointe City Council on May 20 approved a special-event permit for the Fort Mills grand opening contingent on correction of two outstanding trade violations and final sign-off before the event.

Councilman Curley made the motion to approve the permit “contingent upon the 2 items that you have mentioned,” and the mayor seconded it. Building-department staff told the council the business still had two outstanding trade violations — electrical and mechanical — and that one inspection could occur as soon as the next morning and the other by Thursday morning. The council’s approval requires the items be completed and signed off prior to the start of the grand opening.

The building department official told council that, under normal circumstances, the city would not allow occupancy until all required trades, fire and building inspections were complete and that a temporary certificate of occupancy would not be issued until those life-safety items were corrected. The official said exterior landscaping and other land-development items remained outstanding but would not create an immediate safety risk.

Council members discussed timing options to accommodate the business if the work was completed, including delaying the opening time if needed. Curley said he wanted the business to succeed but that the council could not “just arbitrarily say, ‘Yeah. Go ahead’ ” without compliance. The council then moved to approve the special-event permit with the stated conditions. A roll call showed unanimous support from members present.

The council’s action was procedural — approval contingent on staff verification — and does not substitute for the building department’s final signed inspections and occupancy sign-off. The building department will be responsible for verifying compliance before the event.