Sumter County Council approves second reading to allow used motor vehicle parts merchants in LI-W with strict design limits

Sumter County Council granted second reading Feb. 27 to Ordinance 24-995, an amendment to the county’s Zoning & Development Standards that would permit used motor vehicle parts merchants (NAICS 42314) with on-site vehicle dismantling and/or storage in the Light Industrial‑Warehouse (LI‑W) zoning district as a special‑exception use subject to specific design criteria. Planning Director Helen Roodman presented the ordinance and said the Planning Commission recommended approval.

The ordinance sets a package of siting and operational limits intended to reduce impacts on nearby uses. It requires that areas designated for draining or storing vehicle fluids, and areas used for crushing or shredding vehicles, be located at least 500 feet from residences, churches, public or private schools, National Register of Historic Places structures/sites/districts, or public parks/playgrounds; the distance is measured structure‑to‑structure or activity‑area‑to‑activity‑area. Crushing and shredding would be allowed only 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; permanently installed crushing/shredding machinery is not permitted, and stacking vehicles on top of one another is prohibited.

Storage and primary activity areas must be fully enclosed in a building or screened by an opaque wall or fence at least 7 feet tall with a largely uniform exterior earth‑tone color. Landscape buffering is required (two canopy trees, one understory tree and 15 shrubs per 100 linear feet, unless the Board of Zoning Appeals approves alternatives). The ordinance also requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) industrial stormwater permit to be in effect before a Sumter County business license may be issued for this use.

Councilman Eugene R. Baten asked whether the 500‑foot measurement referenced structures or property lines; Ms. Roodman said it is measured structure‑to‑structure or use‑area‑to‑use‑area. The chairman opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. A motion by Councilman Artie Baker, seconded by Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr., carried to grant second reading. Councilman Baten recused himself from the vote because of a conflict of interest.

The ordinance text included in the record states the measure will take effect upon third reading, meaning the item will return to council for final action before becoming effective.