By Al Dozier
Mobile home owners in Irmo will soon be allowed to replace their old units with a new model, under a revised ordinance that received unanimous first-reading approval at Tuesday’s council meeting.
The town imposed restrictions on mobile homes in 2020 that disallowed new homes and replacements. But after reviewing the ordinance, town officials decided to allow new replacements for current owners, according to Irmo Town Administer Courtney Dennis. But he said new mobile homes will not be allowed on properties that don’t currently have one.
The ordinance must receive a second-reading approval, likely to come up for a vote at the next council meeting.
The change is part of an ongoing upgrade of the town’s zoning and land regulations.
In other action, the council gave final reading to an ordinance annexing into the town approximately 5 acres of land at 1342 Farming Creek Road owned by Jonnathan Priestino. The council gave first-reading approval to a zoning request of Fringe Agricultural for that property, which allows rural land uses.
The council also approved the annexation into the town of a 23-acre tract on St. Andrews Road owned by Michael Bull and properties of approximately one acre each owned by St. Andrews Church of Christ and Betty E. Jaco on Dutch Fork Road. were also approved for annexation.
The council approved the purchase of three Chevy Tahoes from love Chevrolet in the amount of $151,829. The price includes outfitting the vehicles with lighting packages and other equipment.
The council approved a contract between the town and the Lexington-Richland District 5 School district to provide a school resource officer to Irmo Elementary school. The state will provide the town with a funding grant to pay for the service.
The council approved acceptance of a grant from the Richland County Hospitality Tax County Promotions Grant Program in the amount of $50,000 for the annual Okra Strut Festival.
Council members credited Richland County Councilman Bill Malinowski with having the grant substantially increased from past grants.
In other action, the council appointed Bilyana Franks and Ashely Layne to the Accommodations Tax Committee.
The following new in-town businesses were recognized: Southern Styles Hair Studies, 7522 Irmo Drive Suite 2; K. Chaimyne Photography, 321 Upton Grey Road: Prudential, 7421 College Street, Suite 101; Columbia Lactation Care LLC, 800 Columbiana Drive suite 116; Tantalizing Vixten, 113 Boulters Lock Road; El Charro Cantine & Cocina LLC, 1100 Dutch Fork Road.
Jersey Mike’s Subs was recognized at the July 2022 Small Business of the Month.
The council also recognized the Irmo Okra Strut’s two scholarship recipients: Sullivan French of Dutch Fork High School and Hudson Floyd-Evans of Irmo High School.
Jana Grace was recognized as Artist of the Month.
The council reminded the community the town will celebrate National Night Out on Aug 2, 2022, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Community Park of Irmo.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships in an effort to make neighborhoods safer and a more caring place to live. Vendors will be on site providing food, music and games.
