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Resident urges Saluda County to update 2016 comprehensive plan and adopt zoning
Summary
Paul Gilbert told the Saluda County Council the 2016 comprehensive plan needs an update and recommended a countywide land‑use plan, zoning ordinance, target‑industry study, retail leakage analysis, and a traffic‑circle redevelopment plan to guide growth and avoid large property‑tax increases.
Paul Gilbert presented to the Saluda County Council on Jan. 13 urging the county to update its 2016 comprehensive plan and adopt a coordinated land‑use and zoning framework.
"An update was way overdue," Gilbert said, arguing the plan could serve as a roadmap so county staff know what they will be doing and to create accountability for goals and objectives that are currently listed as "ongoing." He recommended a land‑use plan coordinated with towns, a countywide zoning ordinance, consolidated subdivision regulations, a target‑industry study, a retail leakage analysis, and a residential market assessment.
Gilbert also called attention to the county’s traffic circle, describing it as a hodgepodge of commercial activity with uncontrolled and potentially dangerous access points. He urged a public‑private partnership with the state and adjacent property owners to designate the circle as a special development area with design guidelines, tax incentives for demolition and improvements, and improved ingress/egress.
Gilbert closed by stressing public engagement: make the planning process open to stakeholders and act quickly to pursue the right kind of growth, warning that without planning "annual 16% property tax increases will become the norm." He offered to provide council members with a copy of his materials.
Ending: The presentation concluded with the council thanking Gilbert; no formal action was taken during the meeting to adopt or initiate the studies he recommended.
