City Council Advances 280-Acre Allendale Road Annexation; Police Department Gets a Detective Unit

The Woodruff Times reported on February 20, 2024 on a packed City Council agenda.

The biggest item was a first-reading approval to annex just over 280 acres, seven parcels on Allendale Road near the site of the new high school, and zone them R-2 single family. The land is projected to become a housing development at up to about three homes per acre. Council also approved several 10-foot strip annexations along Highway 101, which make a parcel further out contiguous with the city limits and carry no zoning or tax effect. It gave first reading to rezone just under an acre at 801 Buncombe Street Extension from C-1 commercial to R-3 multi-family, after the owner bought it for a multi-family project without knowing it was zoned commercial. The land items were set for second reading at the next meeting.

Police Chief Greg Ryan asked for, and Council approved, policy changes to create a detective unit. Chief Ryan said it expands the department's resources and should raise the case closure rate. The unit starts by reassigning current staff, with no new hires, and the reassigned officer completes state detective training.

Council also gave first reading to a rewrite of Section XI of the zoning ordinance. It lets a business with several entrances put a sign at each one, and where the regular zoning ordinance and the revitalization overlay conflict, the stricter rule applies.

In reports, City Manager Lee Bailey said dead, damaged and non-native trees along Main Street are being replaced and some pavers refreshed ahead of the city's 150th anniversary. He also announced a new St. Patrick's Day event on Main Street with live music as part of the celebration.

A note from us: this is the outlet's account of the meeting, not official minutes. Read the original at The Woodruff Times.