Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Storage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council okays first reading with conditions for 42,000 sq ft storage building at Broad River Road
Summary
On first reading the Town of Irmo approved Ordinance 26-11, allowing a conditional rezoning for a new 42,000-square-foot storage building at 7949 Broad River Road with façade and landscaping conditions; councilors pressed staff to add enforceable landscaping, parking and sunset provisions before second reading.
The Town of Irmo council on May 19 voted in favor of the first reading of Ordinance 26-11 to rezone about 6.07 acres at 7949 Broad River Road to permit a new 42,000-square-foot storage building and related improvements, subject to conditions.
Council discussion centered on whether the conditional rezoning should override a previous 4-acre limit for warehouse/storage uses and what enforceable controls should be included. Councilor Waldman said the town had previously limited warehouse uses in certain zones and questioned whether the requested exception was appropriate. Planning staff (Doug) explained that a negotiated/conditional zone can be created for a single lot to allow expansion in exchange for façade improvements, landscaping, and other mitigations.
Council members asked detailed questions about: whether expansion into existing commercial space would be treated as minor or major amendments; how the town would enforce landscape replacements and require canopy trees rather than only small-caliper plantings; parking sufficiency for remaining retail space; and whether the council could include a sunset provision (staff said a two-year completion/sunset provision is feasible). Staff confirmed landscaping plans would be retained in perpetuity and that replacements would be enforced as code violations if planted material failed.
The council’s first-reading roll call recorded mixed support; council members indicated the ordinance could include additional, stricter conditions before any second reading. Staff said that architectural screening (fake windows, façade materials) and specific tree species/size could be required and that the zoning administrator would oversee minor/major amendment determinations.
What’s next: Staff said they will refine conditions and can add specific, enforceable landscaping and timeline requirements for completion prior to second reading.
