Council delays action on junkyard law

Saying they needed more time to examine its contents, Cherokee County Council put off action Monday on its amended controversial junkyard ordinance.

The ordinance, opposed by local junkyard operators, was approved last November. After receiving opposition from the junkyard operators who claimed it was unfair to single them out for regulation, council referred the ordinance to the Cherokee County Planning Commission for further discussion and changes.

Council was scheduled to consider first reading of the amended ordinance on Monday, but Cherokee County Councilman Charles Mathis made a motion to postpone action on the ordinance.

"I didn't get the ordinance until today," Mathis said.

At Monday's meeting, several junkyard operators questioned council members about why their names appeared on correspondence concerning the junkyard ordinance if they claim they aren't familiar with the contents of the amended ordinance.

Council members then instructed Cherokee County Building official Chuck Bobo to inform the junkyard operators of the proposed changes to the ordinance.

The amended ordinance would reduce the fencing requirement for new junkyards from eight to six feet.

The updated ordinance would only require existing junkyard owners to plant a vegetative screen on the section of their property that fronts public roads.