NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council reviewed a new draft of an ordinance regarding the keeping of as a conditional use within residential zoning districts, subject to minimum standards and excluding the R-2 Rural District, within which hens will remain a permitted use, during last week’s meeting.
County Administrator Jeff Shacker said when reviewing the ordinance they wanted to capture the essence, but also have some provisions added to it.
With the draft ordinance, some of the added language suggested including the number of hens that can be kept on a property. The suggested number, Shacker said, was 18 and using a conditional zoning approach, but making sure certain conditions are being met such as the placement and size of the enclosure and a setback requirement.
The ordinance, he said, will only apply to chickens.
Councilman Les Hipp said there was “a lot of good, thoughtful time put towards this” and that Council is trying to be fair to everyone.
No action was taken on the ordinance.
In other business, Council unanimously voted to approve a bid for hazardous material removal services for the Old Gallman School Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) project. The lowest bidder came from Neo Corporation in the amount of $168,775. Funds have been provided by the state legislature to remove the hazardous materials, as well as funding the repairs to the roof. The Thriving Communities Foundation has received these funds in their account and will be paying the contractor directly.
Additionally, Council approved a proposal for arborist services in Lynch’s Woods to be awarded to DendroDiagnostics, Inc. Funding is provided by a grant from the South Carolina Forestry Commission Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program. The County match of 20% ($15,000) is funded in the Lynch’s Woods budget.
A proclamation was also read out recognizing October as Manufacturing Month in Newberry County.
“Newberry County has one of the largest manufacturing workforces in the state of South Carolina, accounting for more than 27% of our workforce, more than double the state’s 12% and more than triple the nation’s 8.4%,” the proclamation said.
The proclamation also said that in the last decade Newberry County has welcomed 13 new manufacturing companies into the county, representing more than $726 million in investment and the creation of 1,690 new jobs.
Newberry County’s existing manufacturers have expanded 18 times in the last decade, investing more than $241 million and creating more than 510 new jobs.
Other business:
- Under two separate items, Council unanimously voted to purchase two ambulances for EMS and to replace a fire tanker truck for the Bush River Fire Department. The need for the tanker came after an accident during the summer.
- County Council recognized four employees for their years of service. Those employees were: Rebecca Gaffney (five years, Animal Control) – Gaffney was unable to attend the meeting; Mary Cleveland (10 years, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office); William Claytor (15 years, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office); and Elizabeth Folk (45 years, Clerk to Court Office).
- Council continued to review proposed revision to Chapter 91 of the Code of Ordinance of Newberry County providing design and other standards for the Newberry County Public Road System. Council was unable to finish the review and will continue at the next meeting.
Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3122 ext. 1867 or kduncan@championcarolinas.com.