By Al Dozier
Zoning guidelines in the Irmo area will be a lot less restrictive under a new ordinance amendment that received first reading approval at the Feb. 20 council meeting.
The amendment provides for “negotiated zoning districts” that would allow the planning commission more leeway on current regulations on property development. Town officials say current zoning requirements on topics such as “patio homes” are often overly restrictive.
Council members unanimously approved the amendment.
The council also gave first-reading approval to an ordinance that will establish an “Events Committee” to advise the council on an increasing number of entertainment events and activities in the Irmo community.
The council currently has an Events Chairman, George Frazier, who announced his support for the new committee.
The council also approved a resolution adopting the measures in the Lexington County Animal Control Ordinance, which were recently changed.
The council gave first reading approval to an ordinance that rezones an acre of property at 900 Lake Murray Boulevard from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the change for the site, where Premier Aesthetic Dentistry is located.
The council also gave first reading approval to an ordinance that annexes .13 acres located at Quick Terrace Road into the town of Irmo and zones the property Single Family Residential. The Planning commission recommended the annexation.
The council approved the purchase of six traffic radar signs in the amount of $23,802 at the request of the police department. The signs will help police monitor speeding problems.
The council also approved the purchase of two Ford f-250 trucks for the Public Works Department at a cost of $102,411. The trucks replace two aging vehicles in the fleet.
The council received an update on the successful Chili Cookoff and Car Show held Feb. 10. The event featured 17 vendors. All of the chili sold out during the event. Winners were recognized at the council meeting.
In other action the council recognized ButterKreme Queen Bakery as the February Small Business of the Month.
The School Showcase featured a presentation by Irmo Middle School International Academic Magnet Principal Mansa Joseph.
Outlined in the Community Connections presentation were several upcoming events including Irmo’s Black History Celebration planned Feb. 24 at the Irmo High School Center for the Arts.
New in-town businesses recognized were: Brow Gal, 1085 Lake Murray Blvd.; Chris D. Barker LLC, 10415 Broad River Road; Euro Nails, 7971 N. Woodrow St.; Wild Hair, 1085-C Lake Murry Blvd.; LUXE Hair Salon DBA Megan Savage, LUXE Hair Salon DBA Tavette Martin, 1085-C Lake Murray Blvd.; Michael J. Garrett Salon,1085-C Lake Murray Blvd.; Slim City Weight Loss, 7719 St. Andrews Road; Heart and Hands Home Care LLC, 7803 St. Andrews Road; Upwards Physiotherapy, 1186 Columbia Ave.
