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Douglas City adopts policy to allow some commercial, industrial buildings to rebuild on original footprints after Hurricane Helene
Summary
Douglas City’s commission approved a policy allowing some commercial and industrial buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene to be rebuilt on their original footprints, with administrative variances available for projects under 1,000 square feet, the community development director said.
The Douglas City Marion Commission on Nov. 10 approved a policy allowing certain commercial and industrial structures that were damaged by Hurricane Helene to be rebuilt on their original foundations.
The Community Development Director told commissioners the proposal mirrors allowances the commission previously made for residential rebuilding after the December 2024 storm and asked for the board’s support for similar treatment of commercial properties. "So we're here tonight asking that you also allow the same for commercial and industry," the director said. He explained the existing walls of the damaged warehouse encroach on the city’s 25‑foot setback and that the footers will be underground: "Their footers is which is encroached in on the east side that's along the the roadside to Wheeler Avenue, like 5 feet. But those will be underground and cover cement. But the building itself, the structure and the walls of the structure is going to align with the existing building."
The director said the city code currently gives the community development director discretion to grant an administrative variance for commercial projects that do not exceed 1,000 square feet and that he can administratively approve the request; he asked for the commission’s backing. "I can administratively approve, but because of what we've been going through, want y'all's back in support of that decision as well," he said.
Commissioners did not pull the item from the consent agenda; the commission approved the consent agenda by voice vote. The policy, as discussed in the meeting, allows the director to use existing administrative‑variance authority for qualifying commercial or industrial rebuilds damaged by the hurricane. The transcript records the city’s description of the encroachment and the director’s explanation of how the footers and foundation work will fit with the existing walls; the record does not specify a separate implementation timeline or additional permitting steps beyond the code provisions cited.
