Sumter County Council approves rezoning, transit-signage change and appoints code enforcement officer
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Summary
At its April 26 meeting, Sumter County Council granted second reading to a rezoning to permit a future single-family home, amended the sign ordinance to allow transit-related ads and panels, and appointed a code enforcement officer; all measures passed unanimously.
Sumter County Council on April 26 approved three items that the council said aim to clarify local land use, expand transit advertising options and fill a staff enforcement post.
Planning staff presented RZ-22-02, a request from property owner Drake Brunson to rezone about 17.25 acres at 2675 Warehouse Road from Heavy Industrial to Limited Commercial so a single-family residence could be permitted as a conditional use. Helen Roodman, planning staff, told council the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Vice Chairman James R. Byrd moved second reading, Artie Baker seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Council also approved OA-22-07, an amendment to Article 8 of the county sign ordinance to permit transit-related signage and marketing panels on private property, public property or within rights-of-way. Planning staff said the change responds to a request from the Santee Wateree Regional Transit Authority to place signage on benches and shelters and to generate revenue that can be used to match state and federal grants. Louis Watkins spoke in favor of allowing signage but raised a separate safety concern at the Providence and Broad Street stop where parked cars limit sightlines. Vice Chairman Byrd moved approval; Baker seconded, and the ordinance amendment passed unanimously. SWRTA Director Lottie Jones was present for the discussion.
Finally, County Attorney Johnathan Bryan presented Resolution R-22-05 to commission Toni McLellan as a Sumter County Code Enforcement Officer. The resolution, which cites Section 4-9-145 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina and Sumter County Ordinance 18-900, specifies that the appointee will not perform custodial arrests and that ordinance summons authority applies only in unincorporated county areas. The council adopted the resolution unanimously and directed the chairman and clerk to execute it.
All three items were recorded in the minutes as approved unanimously by the full council. The council packet shows staff recommended approval for the zoning and ordinance amendments; the planning department will proceed with implementation steps for the zoning and sign‑ordinance changes and county staff will complete paperwork to commission the code enforcement officer.