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McBee council approves start of comprehensive planning process, names five to new planning commission
Summary
The Town of McBee council voted Dec. 1 to begin the municipal comprehensive planning process required by the state and approved five residents as the initial Municipal Planning Commission; members debated whether the action constituted an ordinance requiring a second reading.
Mayor John Campolong called the Town of McBee council to order Dec. 1 and the council voted to begin the town's comprehensive planning process, approving Ordinance 2020-4 (read aloud by Administrator Terri King) to establish a Municipal Planning Commission.
The measure passed on a motion by Mayor John Campolong, seconded by Council Member Glenn Odom, with the council voting "All in Favor." After the vote the mayor named five residents who said they were willing to serve: John Martin (proposed chair), Pat Harris, Terri Rhoad, Earl Newman and Billy Norris. Council later formally elected the five by motion of Glenn Odom, seconded by Charlie Sutton; that motion also carried "All in Favor."
The council's action is intended to satisfy a state requirement that municipalities maintain a comprehensive plan, Mayor Campolong said, and the mayor described roughly two years of work preparing the plan. Terri King read the establishing ordinance language to the council.
The session included debate over procedure and wording. Council Member Glenn Odom and Council Member A.C. McLeod Jr. questioned whether the council had legally enacted an ordinance and therefore whether a second reading was required. Town Attorney Martin Driggers advised that, at this stage, the council's approval functions more like a resolution to begin the planning steps rather than an ordinance that immediately changes town law; Driggers said a later formal ordinance and public hearing would be required when the draft comprehensive plan is presented for adoption.
Council members said the commission will review the plan and recommend any changes before the council schedules a public hearing and a possible ordinance for final adoption. The mayor said the commission will have no ordinance-level power until the council approves such an ordinance and that the immediate action authorizes the planning process and the commission's review role.
The council did not record roll-call vote tallies beyond "All in Favor." No public comments are recorded in the minutes for this agenda item. The council noted a later public hearing and publication will accompany any final ordinance adopting the comprehensive plan.
The council then moved on to other town business and adjourned at the close of the meeting.
