Family seeks rezoning to keep pigs, goats, chickens

A family is taking its efforts to rezone their property and keep their pigs, goats and chickens to Florence County Council after the county’s planning commission last month recommended denial of the rezoning request.

The ordinance that would rezone their property is up for second reading at Thursday’s council meeting. It must pass this week’s reading and a third and final reading to go into effect.

James and Christina Fender are seeking the rezoning after discovering their current zoning doesn’t allow livestock.

Their property, at 2506 Pamplico Highway and 2328 Dudley Drive, is zoned as a general commercial district, but the couple wants their land to be unzoned so that they can keep their two pigs, three goats and six chickens.

Christina Fender is scheduled to speak in favor of her request at Thursday’s council meeting.

Meanwhile, Pherebie Wall, who spoke against the Fenders’ request at the planning commission meeting, will address council, as will Laurie Young, who wrote a letter to council stating that she doesn’t want her Dudley Drive property “to lose value because of (the Fenders’) hogs, etc.”

Christina Fender told the planning commission they got the animals late last year as therapeutic pets for their daughter, who was seriously injured in a car crash in September.

Wall told the commission that the Fenders’ pig pen is located only 30 feet from her home’s deck and she can smell the animals, Wall said.

Some neighbors told the commission they didn’t mind the animals, while others said if the Fenders’ land was rezoned, it would allow people to bring in more livestock.

The planning commission voted 10-0 to deny the Fenders’ rezoning request.

Council on Thursday also is scheduled to hold third and final reading of an amendment designed to ensure tattoo studios in the county must be in areas zoned for general commercial development.

Councilman James Schofield said last month that the current ordinance could be interpreted to allow tattoo studios in the county’s unzoned areas.

The updated ordinance states that facilities must comply with state law, which states that the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental control can’t give a license to a tattoo facility that will be within 1,000 feet of a church, school, or playground.

The county has no cases or permits pending and the ordinance shouldn’t affect any tattoo studios already in existence, County Administrator Richard Starks said last month.

Thursday’s agenda also includes third reading of an amendment to limit the area of accessory buildings in residential areas at 1,000 square feet. The amendment also would correct typos and delete an outdated reference in the regulations.

Council also is scheduled to vote on a resolution to withhold $5 per month from paychecks of employees who elect to put their county-issued cell phones to personal use on a limited basis. The meeting agenda states this measure is intended to comply “in an efficient manner” with Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Council members also will decide whether to award a sole-source bid for the $42,850 extension of the Lynches River County Park’s tree top canopy walk by Phoenix Experiential, which completed the project’s first phase.

The company is the only known installer on the East coast, according to a letter from county Parks and Recreation Director Joe Eason, and the project will be funded through a grant from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

In other business, council is expected to:

n Vote on a $46,159 grant from the S.C. Emergency Management Division for generators, communications facilities, physical security enhancement equipment and travel funds for the county Emergency Management Division’s hurricane training.

n Hold an executive session to discuss an economic development matter as well as contractual issues related to real property transactions, the S.C. Justice Department’s Case Management Statement of Work, the county building commission and county sheriff’s office.

n Hold second reading of amendments that would re-establish minimum setbacks between commercial zoning districts and adjoining residentially zoned properties, as well as prohibit access to commercial and industrial properties via residential zones.

n Hear Dorothy W. Ellerbe’s request for the paving of Cherry Johnson Road in Effingham.

n Vote on the appointment of Lake City’s National Bean Market Museum Director Briley Altman and Associate Director Sherri Moore to the Florence County Museum Board for four- and two-year terms, respectively.

n Hold third reading of administrative procedures for the county comprehensive plan, which is undergoing an update after 10 years.

— Morning News staff writer Jamie Rogers contributed to this report.

IF YOU’RE GOING

WHAT: Florence County Council regular meeting, Public Service & County Planning Committee meeting to discuss regulations of portable signs

WHEN: Regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday; committee meeting at 8 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: County council chambers, Room 803, 180 N. Irby St., Florence

INFO: Call Clerk to Council Connie Haselden at (843) 665-3035