During their meeting regular monthly Tuesday, Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on their 2023-34 budget, tabled an ordinance dealing with a historic district and approved a new zoning map and setbacks.
During public comments, Linda Ford asked about fees associated with paying water bills and if someone could be available to direct traffic during the July 4th fireworks event.
There were 63 workorders completed in May with 13 connects, 15 disconnects and 35 miscellaneous. The town has collected $9,402 in business license fees.
Council unanimously approved first reading on the Town’s new zoning map. Before the vote, Councilman Eddie Waits said there was one property that needs to be changed before the second reading.
The Town is also adopting an ordinance that officially establishes a Historic Overlay. There were some questions from Councilmember Waits about guidelines for the district and whether property owners affected by it should be notified. He also asked if current property owners could be “grandfathered” in or opt out. Mayor Will Ragland said the Overlay District was originally a project set up several years ago by the Pelzer Heritage Commission to preserve the historic nature of homes and other structures in the district.
He explained that changes and ideas owners plan would be presented to a board, similar to the new planning commission, to determine if it fits the intention of the historic district and for guidance. “I don’t see it as overly restrictive,” Ragland said. “It prevents historic structures from being demolished.”
Councilman Waits said he believes the ordinance is “placing a burden on citizens that already live here who may want to make changes.”
Councilwoman Donna Ide also questioned the use of the term “eminent domain” that is in the ordinance.
Mayor Ragland told Council that there was no hurry to pass the ordinance and that the issue could be tabled until they could get more information. He suggested that someone from Anderson County could be asked to come answer questions about the new ordinance and how it affects residents within the Historic District. “The intent is to save the few historic buildings we have left,” he said.
Council decided to table the issue and to have a workshop to discuss it.
Council unanimously approved first reading on the 2023-24 budget.
During discussions, Councilwoman Ide asked about a line item for business licenses that has $80,000 in anticipated revenue and referenced the Town has only collected about $10,000 under the new business license ordinance. She asked how the difference would affect the budget.
Mayor Ragland responded that the budget is an estimation and when the Town finishes the full year they will have a better idea on the amounts that will be generated.
Ide also asked about Capital Projects in the budget going up.
Ragland said that Planning Commission revenue was added to the line item.
During the budget discussion, Councilman Waits said he is working on the Christmas Lights item and should have that information finalized soon.
The new budget was approved 5-0.
The next agenda item, the purchase of .31 acres of property on Fuller Street, was voted down 3-2 with Councilmembers Waits, Ide and Mike Matthews opposed. Mayor Ragland and Councilwoman Alisha Tuttle were in favor of purchasing the property which is adjacent to a pedestrian bridge that the town owns. The owners offered to sell the property to the Town for $5,000 the Mayor said.
During Council remarks, Mayor Ragland said that questions about fees associated with the sale of the water system to Greenville Water, and other information about the sale, would be addressed in a letter to be sent to residents. He also said Ford’s suggestion about having someone to help with traffic during the July 4th event was a good idea and he would check into it.
Councilmember Ide asked about purchasing handicap accessible items for the gym bathroom. Ragland said the Town needs to get three quotes on the project.
Following the meeting, Mayor Ragland said the new budget reflects the Town’s committment to restoring historic structures including the community building and the old hospital building.
He said it also reflects “Major changes with the sale of the water system”.
