Cayce council postpones vacant commercial building registration ordinance for further study

CAYCE — The Cayce City Council postponed action on Ordinance 2025-07, a proposed addition to Chapter 10 that would create a vacant commercial and industrial building registration program, and removed it from the meeting agenda on Oct. 7, 2025.

Staff described the draft ordinance as a registration program intended to identify vacant commercial and industrial buildings, set owner responsibilities, and provide for administration, enforcement and escalating fees to address blight and underinvestment. Staff told council the item has a history on the docket dating to November 2022 and has previously been deferred or voted down; staff recommended removing the item until a work session can be held early next year to give the new council proper direction.

Council members who supported postponement said a study and broader work session would allow the city to consider best practices and give new council members time to weigh policy options. One council member emphasized the long-term concerns about vacant properties that have sat empty for 10–20 years, citing safety, blight, and lost tax revenue.

The motion to approve the staff recommendation to postpone passed 4–1. Roll-call votes recorded Mayor Pro Tem Tim James, Council member Thomas, Council member Sox and Council member Carter voting yes; Mayor Pardon voted no.

What’s next: Staff recommended scheduling a work session in January 2026 to further study the program and consider alternatives for encouraging reuse or remediation of long-vacant commercial and industrial properties.

(Reporting based on Cayce City Council meeting transcript, Oct. 7, 2025.)