Cherokee County Council delayed third reading of its controversial ordinance to regulate junkyards over concerns it may cause undue financial hardship on junkyard owners.

Under the ordinance, junkyard owners would have two years to erect a fence on the front of their property and five years to extend the fence to the entire property.

Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris said that requirement would be too expensive for owners with large junkyards.

Council is also considering lowering the proposed annual permit fee from $50 to $25.

The ordinance has become a priority for Cherokee County Councilman Charles Mathis, who expressed concern at a recent council meeting that junkyards were popping up adjacent to residential communities in his district.

At its meeting July 2, council approved a moratorium on new junkyards and first reading of a proposed ordinance that was drafted by county attorney Joe Mathis.

Joe Mathis told council that police powers gave it authority to approve an ordinance that's considered for the public welfare.

The proposed ordinance stipulates that new junkyards must be located on a continuous parcel and have a minimum front lot line of 100 feet on public right-of-way. New junkyards must also be at least 500 feet from a single residence and 1,000 feet from 10 or more contiguous residences, under the proposed ordinance.

Recycling centers and scrap metal processors would be exempt from the ordinance. Service stations are exempt from portions of the ordinance.