Fort Mill moves on one annexation, postpones another

Fort Mill Town Council is closer to adding more acreage for new business.

Council, at its first 2016 meeting on Jan. 11, gave the first of two readings to an annexation request at 1544 Sam Smith Road. The property is zoned for residential construction in the county. It would come into Fort Mill as a light industrial zoning, which doesn’t allow homes.

The almost five-acre property is bordered by I-77, Harris and Sam Smith roads. Current zoning allows for 20 or more homes. There are light industrial properties nearby, already in town limits.

“It’s bordered essentially on three sides by similar zoning,” said Chris Pettit, assistant town planner.

The light industrial zoning allows for wholesale or retail sales, manufacturing, warehouse an storage, offices and other uses. Automotive sales and repair is another allowed use. Freeman’s Body Shop sits just opposite the property.

Council still has to pass second reading to complete the annexation. Council put off a vote that would bring in another eight acres, this time for residential use, on Hensley Road. Developers there want to create new homes aimed at older residents.

In December, Council heard plans for 24 homes starting in the $300,000s. Nearby residents spoke in favor of the annexation.

Other plans delayed

Council also pushed back votes to amend its capital improvements plan, a document listing items that can be funded through development impact fees. Turning a temporary fire station on North Dobys Bridge Road into a full station is part of the change.

Councilwoman Lisa McCarley said she wants the plan amendments, which should come up again in February, to show Council approved money to develop drawings for the new station, but not the station itself.

“We need to make sure it’s presented, and presented correctly,” she said.

Consultant contracted

Also on Jan. 11, Council approved a contract for almost $50,000 with Winter & Co. for help developing historic district design guidelines. Last year, the town received a federal grant in that amount. The grant is a 50/50 match.

The consultant will help town leaders identify characteristics of historic areas in Fort Mill put together plans to help new construction match either initial design features, or modernized takes on them.

“The idea is in the future, the historic review board will have these plans in hand to help make decisions,” Pettit said.

A set of guidelines could make construction in older areas of town easier on town planning staff, the citizen review board and builders looking to find what is or isn’t allowed. The guidelines essentially will tell builders “if you build to this document, you’ll get approved,” Pettit said. The guidelines will be part of a larger unified development ordinance being developed by the town.

“It’s likely it’ll be included in the (unified development ordinance) as a reference,” Pettit said. “The idea is they will mesh.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Fort Mill moves on one annexation, postpones another."