Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Awendaw council adopts moratorium and several land-use ordinances, clarifies public-comment rules
Summary
The Awendaw Town Council adopted a temporary moratorium on certain rezonings and passed annexation and tree-preservation ordinances, and tightened public-comment procedures to limit on-the-spot council deliberations on unscheduled items.
The Awendaw Town Council voted to impose a temporary moratorium on most residential and commercial rezoning, and approved several land-use measures and procedural rules during its January meeting.
Ordinance 2026-01, which the council adopted after discussion, places a temporary hold on rezonings and subdivision approvals that affect more than five parcels so staff and council can revise zoning, land-use regulations and the comprehensive plan. The measure passed by voice vote.
Council also adopted as amended two second-reading annexation ordinances (2025-46 and 2025-47) to bring specific parcels into town limits. Town counsel explained clarifying language in the amended versions related to previously abandoned lot lines and map descriptions; the council approved both ordinances by voice vote.
On public meetings, the council approved Ordinance 2026-02 to formalize public-comment time limits and add a provision that council members shall “neither respond to nor take immediate action on concerns or comments publicly expressed.” The change is intended to reduce the risk of violating state open-meeting rules by preventing unscheduled deliberation on items not listed on the agenda. As town staff explained, concerns raised during public comment can be referred for later consideration and council members can follow up with speakers after the meeting.
Council also moved forward on tree-protection revisions (Ordinance 2026-04) to revise the review, mitigation and restoration process for removing protected trees; the first reading received council approval. A separate code amendment (2026-03) to permit council removal of board or commission members passed its first reading.
Council members said the moratorium and ordinance updates are aimed at giving the town time to ensure its land-use regulations match community goals and to provide clearer procedures for both applicants and staff. The measures take effect as provided in each ordinance; staff will return with any required administrative steps or follow-up items.
The council conducted votes by voice on the recorded motions; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes for these items.
