Council Brings Building Inspections Back In-House and Restores Wastewater Pretreatment Rules for New Industry
Council gave first reading to a budget amendment for a three-person in-house building department and to a wastewater pretreatment ordinance for new industry. It also started a ~36-acre Highway 101 industrial annexation and heard that site work for BMW had begun.
The Woodruff Times reported on March 28, 2023 on City Council's most recent meeting.
Council approved first reading of a budget amendment adding three employees for a new building department. The amendment also records a $4 million grant the city received to build a sewer line on Highway 101 for new development. City Manager Lee Bailey said inspections had been outsourced years ago when activity was low, and that with today's growth bringing them back in-house makes more financial sense. Council approved financing three department vehicles, about $85,000, through Truist Bank. Inspections were set to begin April 1, when the outside vendor's contract ends.
Council also gave first reading to a wastewater pretreatment ordinance that requires new industrial businesses to treat their wastewater before it enters the city sewer. Bailey said the city had a similar rule when the mills were running, and it is being reinstated to current standards as new industry arrives.
Police Chief Greg Ryan reported that the department updated 22 policies, including search and seizure, media relations and records management, after its regular audit and new state standards.
Council approved on second reading a 0.59-acre rezoning at 161 W. Griffith St. (R-2A to R-2) and automatic adoption of state changes to the International Building Code. It accepted an annexation petition for about 36 acres at 5590 Highway 101 and gave first reading to annex it and zone it I-2 for industrial flex space. It also gave first reading to make permanent the R-3 multi-family zoning on 97.18 acres at Fountain Inn and Old Orchard roads.
Bailey said tree clearing had started on the BMW site, with grading expected in mid-May and about 500 workers expected on site during construction.
A note from us: this is the outlet's account, not official minutes. Read the original at The Woodruff Times.