City to make changes in zoning laws by reducing setback requirements

Gaffney City Council last week approved the first reading of changes to the city's zoning laws that could make doing business a little easier in some areas.

The changes will reduce the front yard setback requirements in neighborhood commercial zoning districts and office commercial zoning districts from 40 feet to 25 feet. Likewise, the rear yard setbacks in those two districts will be reduced from 30 to 15 feet.

City administrator James Taylor said the changes, which were recommended by the city's Planning Commission, could reduce hardships for businesses that want to locate in those zones.

Council unanimously approved of those changes as well as two others.

The side-yard setbacks along the intersecting street of a corner lot will change to "50 percent greater than the minimum side yard requirements of the district in which the lot is located." Under existing zoning law, side yard setbacks on corner lots are the same as front yard setbacks, which Taylor told council makes some corner lots unusable.

Council also approved of a minor revision to the city's zoning law on buffers between properties to also allow for vinyl fences, which had not been listed among the other accepted materials such as brick, concrete, wood, stone and masonry.

Council will have to approve of the zoning law changes a second time before they go into effect.

In other business:

Council agreed to move forward on a "Way Finding" sign project that will include the placement of signs along major arteries in the city directing visitors to sites such as the historic downtown, the Gaffney Visitors' Center and Limestone College. The city will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, placement and upkeep of the signs, which also must meet South Carolina Department of Transportation guidelines.

Council adopted a resolution of support for the Carolina Thread Trail, an organization that's trying to link 15 counties in South Carolina and North Carolina with a series of trails and greenways. The effort is designed to better protect the environment and public health while increasing economic development, tourism and the bonds between the Upstate's communities. Participating communities could gain access to grants and funding to create such greenways and trails, said Ann Browning, the organization's project director.

Council unanimously accepted Hope Acres Drive into the city street system, meaning the city will take over responsibility for its care and maintenance. The roadway in Habitat for Humanity's new Hope Acres Subdivision was constructed with Community Development Block Grant funds to comply with the city's standards, Taylor said.

Council approved of abandoning an alley near Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Vernon Street at the church's request. The alley appears in property records but was never opened or maintained by the city and hasn't been used for public purposes in excess of 60 years, according to the church's petition.

Council took no immediate action on a request by Moses Wood Camp 125 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which was seeking permission to construct a 25 foot flag pole to fly the South Carolina flag behind the soldiers' monument at Buford and Limestone Street. In return, a representative of Moses Wood Camp told council the group sought permission to fly the South Carolina Departmental Confederate Flag below the state flag for one hour each year during their annual memorial service. The group's request was referred to the city attorney.