Council weighs amendment to six-month zoning moratorium; vote postponed to June 20

The City of Easley Council on June 9 discussed Ordinance 2025-05, a proposed six-month extension of a moratorium that would temporarily suspend acceptance, review and action on applications for zoning approvals, development and construction permits.

Councilmember Tom raised a possible amendment aimed at small parcels, saying: "allow properties under 1 acre to go ahead and be developed." The council explored whether the moratorium’s current definition of subdivision would prevent dividing parcels of one acre or less, and whether previously subdivided parcels that had been combined could be redivided.

A staff member present explained how the moratorium’s current language treats subdivisions: "Except for lots that were subdivided at 1 time. Then even though they're subdivided at 1 time, then they were made 1 parcel, we can put them back to the way they were as long as they met the regulations." The same staff member described the practical effect: a three-acre parcel could be divided into a half-acre lot and a 2.5-acre lot, for example, and council considered whether the moratorium should exempt small divisions.

City legal counsel explained the related legal concept and its connection to the moratorium, stating: "Pending ordinance doctrine is recognized by our state law that allows a city to reject a permit for rezoning or a building permit if it conflicts with a then, pending ordinance that's been that the council has resolved to undertake a redevelopment or rezoning of the a property." The attorney said the doctrine is typically invoked as a backup to a moratorium when the city is actively pursuing a rezoning or overlay district.

Council directed Mr. Hughes (staff) to draft language consistent with the requested carve-out. As explained on the record: "I can write out the motion that needs to be made consistent with your request, miss Rose Shields. Yes. And we would be amending section 2 of the definition section of the original moratorium ordinance where I where we define what subdivision of land means." The attorney said the council would first vote on any amendment and then on the six-month extension as amended.

Because the amendment would require formal wording before a vote, the council agreed to postpone final action on the moratorium until the June 20 council meeting. A council member summarized the procedural result: the amendment will be drafted for review, and the council will vote on the amendment and then on the six-month moratorium extension on June 20.

Council members also asked staff to arrange a briefing from Easley Combined Utilities on wastewater and capacity planning before the moratorium is lifted so the council can better understand infrastructure constraints tied to development.

The discussion remained procedural: no formal amendment or ordinance vote was taken at the June 9 work session.