Sumter County Council approves rezoning, moves on street transfers and board appointments

Sumter County Council on Feb. 25 took several council actions: it granted second reading to a revision of an existing planned development for property including 1391 Mooneyham Road; approved first readings of ordinances to amend the Litter Advisory Board and to convey two paper streets by quitclaim deed; confirmed committee-recommended appointments; and adopted a proclamation designating March 28, 2025, Vietnam War Veterans Appreciation Day.

Rezoning: Planning Director Helen Roodman presented second reading of PD-06-05 (Rev 2), explaining the request updates the 2006 planned development to allow additional commercial, industrial, institutional and retail uses for the property at 1391 Mooneyham Road. Roodman noted the proposal would not alter existing structures, would maintain current hours and gravel parking (“crush and run”), and would require landscaping and buffering between the workshop and nearby residential units. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Chairman James T. McCain opened the public hearing; no speakers testified for or against the rezoning. Councilman Artie Baker moved to grant second reading; Councilman Charles T. Edens seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Ordinances and conveyances: County Attorney Johnathan Bryan presented first reading of Ordinance #25-1019 to amend the Sumter City-County Litter Advisory Board by replacing Sheriff’s Office and Police Department representatives with two employed litter officers (one city, one county); the Council approved first reading unanimously. Bryan also presented first readings of Ordinance #25-1020 (conveyance/abandonment of Gibbons Street) and Ordinance #25-1021 (conveyance of Brookfield Road to Gray Cat Properties LLC); both measures received unanimous first-reading approval.

Appointments and committee outcomes: Vice Chairman James R. Byrd Jr. reported Internal Affairs Committee nominations: Holly Chase and Susan Bagwell (appointments to Alcohol and Drug Abuse board) and reappointment of Brandi Hall; the committee also recommended Denise Robinson to the Library Board and Mary Blanding to the Housing Authority. Council approved the listed appointments by unanimous vote. The Fiscal, Tax and Property Committee recommended granting a temporary construction easement to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for a Pike Road project, pursuing sale of county-owned property near North Main Street, and declining a purchase offer for the Spectrum building while exploring alternatives; Council approved each motion unanimously.

Public works and next steps: The Public Works Committee will hold an extended one-hour meeting on March 11, 2025, to continue work on private roads; Councilman Washington noted earlier discussion was useful but needed more time.

Public comment and proclamation: The minutes record 'Mrs. Myra' and 'Camile' (as recorded in the minutes) and Councilman Washington thanking council members for thoughts and well wishes regarding an illness. Jane King spoke during public comment to raise litter concerns in Wedgefield. The Council declared March 28, 2025, Vietnam War Veterans Appreciation Day by unanimous motion from Chairman McCain.

Source: Sumter County Council minutes, Feb. 25, 2025.