BLYTHEWOOD – As the town government enters a second year of wringing its hands over what to do about itinerant vendors in the Town Center District, the vendors got an unexpected boost at Monday night’s Planning Commission meeting from the Town’s Planning Consultant Michael Criss who championed them as beneficial to the business community, even telling Commissioners, “This kind of business is encouraged in the Town Center District.”
While Criss clarified to The Voice after the meeting that none of the town’s ordinances or the Master Plan actually encourages vendors, he said the Master Plan favors a mix of kinds of commerce.
Earlier this year, Town Council charged the Planning Commission with coming up with guidelines for itinerant venders in the Town and how to regulate them.
Commissioner Michelle Kiedrowski offered a draft ordinance that she said was a jumping off point for discussion.
“Are the Beaufort and Walterboro vendor ordinances pertinent to Blythewood?” she asked. “Do we even want to have an ordinance? How deep do we want to go with it? I know there are some complaints about Grace’s Coffee and the vegetable stand. Some [brick and mortar] businesses say their business may be taken away by vendors, so, obviously the ordinance must protect the town, the businesses and citizens.”
“Well, the licensing and insurance are all here,” Commission Chairman Bryan Franklin said about Kiedrowski’s draft.
Criss’s said his concern was that the vendors do not obstruct traffic, pose no hazards and that plumbing and electricity are properly installed and inspected.
“And if you have the vendors to move each night, that may cure any perceived problems, though you may find that some vendors want to stay overnight,” Criss said.
“The concern I’m hearing from citizens is that this is not just about where and when vendors park, but there is concern that these mobile vendors will take business away from [brick and mortar] businesses,” Kiedrowski said.
“Well, that’s the balance, encouraging these low cost start-up businesses who might graduate into brick and mortar permanent businesses,” Criss said.
Criss also said that it might be difficult for the town to relegate vendors to certain spots in the town.
“The zoning must be consistent. What you come up with must be consistent for the whole zoning district,” Criss said.
Parker suggested that the ordinance might restrict vending stands entirely except for special town events.
Commissioner Marcus Taylor liked that suggestion.
“How about no vendors except for special events?” Taylor asked.
“But you must consider the investment a food caterer makes in a food truck. That could be $100,000. Why doesn’t he just build a building? Because he needs to be able to move to different locations,” Criss said. “With changes in the economy, customers are not as faithful to brick and mortar fixed locations.”
Christ also suggested that businesses might partner with vendors.
“A restaurant might have a taco truck on its parking lot. There’s economic vitality in allowing a great mix of business activity, but you want to protect the aesthetics of the community. Fortunately, you have the Board of Architectural Review,” Criss said.
However, the Board of Architectural Review has not placed any restrictions on the current vendors concerning paint color, building materials, etc. that brick and mortar businesses in the town must adhere to.
“We don’t have any brick and mortar business people in here. Basically, we are making these decisions for people who are not in here,” Taylor said.
“Just recommend something,” Commissioner Robert Cappadonna said.
“Michelle has a good draft here to let Town Council debate,” Franklin said.
“I don’t think it’s ready for Council,” Michelle cautioned. “Do you have any edits?”
“It has what I wanted,” Franklin said. “”license and insurance requirements.”
“I was actually hearing the Council say they expect the Planning Commission to present a completed draft,” Parker said.
“Ok, we’ll refine what Michelle has here for next time. We do need to get it going.” Franklin said.
The Planning Commission meets the first Monday of every month.
BLYTHEWOOD – Incumbent Larry Griffin and Planning Commission Chairman Bryan Franklin took top votes Tuesday night over two other Planning Commissioners, Donald Brock and Michelle Keidrowski, in the Blythewood municipal election to fill two seats on Town Council.
Griffin
Griffin and Franklin, Blythewood natives, said they had support from friends as far back as grade school.
Both seats are for four-year terms. Franklin replaces Tom Utroska who retired after one term in office as he had said he would when he ran for office.
Griffin and Franklin both had their home precincts to thank for victory. Griffin, who lives on Langford Rd., but whose family roots run deep in the Boney Rd. area, took 99 of the 140 votes cast in Precinct 2 (Boney Rd and Lake Ashley).
Franklin
Franklin, who lives in Ashley Oaks, drew 46 of the 78 votes in Precinct 1 (Ashley Oaks).
Cobblestone Park resident Courtney Leavitt, who dropped out of the race, received 16 votes.
Voter turnout this year was 299, five less than the 304 who turned out two years ago.
Griffin and Franklin will be sworn into office Nov. 27.
Final Vote Tally
Larry Griffin – 177
Bryan Franklin – 139
Donald Brock – 122
Michelle Kiedrowski – 57
Courtney Leavitt – 16
Write-ins – 2
BLYTHEWOOD – This year’s Town Council debate was more entertaining than those in the past – a little fun, a little banter. The five questions presented by the Chamber were long and convoluted. Question 3 was 73 words long.
Candidates for Town Council, from left, Bryan Franklin, Michelle Kiedrowski, Larry Griffin and Donald Brock, listen to the first question from moderator Mike Switzer, Executive Director of the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce. | Photo: Barbara Ball
A priority for the Chamber, which has received $63,000 from the Town in the last year and a half, was what priority the candidates would give to a close relationship between the town government and the Chamber.
The short question: What is your current opinion of the relationship between the town government and the business community which is the town’s primary source of revenue?
Michelle Kiedrowski said more priority must be given to bringing in more hospitality and accommodation taxes as a financial resource, and the Town should market itself to the kind of business the town needs.
Larry Griffin suggested the town needs to bring in the right businesses that will generate income for the town.
Donald Brock said the nu
mber one goal of the Chamber should be to help the businesses that are here survive. He suggested creating sources of revenue other than business-generated revenue – like a recreation department and sports complex.
Bryan Franklin agreed that a sports complex would be a good revenue source, but Franklin said the town must first look at what it needs to spend money on and then ask how to generate that income.
The short question: Are you open to a tax millage and/or a bond referendum for the purpose of accelerating the pace of street improvements?
All the candidates pretty much skipped the street improvements part of the question and got right down to the tax millage/bond referendum issue.
Larry Griffin said he is not opposed to a millage, but it has to be done with caution. If a tax would be beneficial and help us eliminate our traffic problems, I’m for it.
Donald Brock: Millage is a bad thing when it is wasted. He might like to see bonds or a property tax used to create a recreation center or to diversify events and attractions in Blythewood. The town has to give serious thought to establishing a stable revenue stream. I’m not opposed to a property tax, but I would use caution.
Bryan Franklin: I would be open to a referendum of the people. If the majority of the people want to impose a millage, I would not be opposed to it.
Michelle Kiedrowski: I agree. A millage needs to be considered only when the town is ready. There are benefits, but the citizens have to be involved.
The short question: How do you feel about Council’s decision to reduce design restrictions for businesses locating on Blythewood Road between 1-77 and Main Street, making it easier for more fast-food restaurants to locate there?
As Planning Commissioners, Brock, Franklin and Kiedrowski did not recommend easing the design restrictions. They remained united in their opposition during the debate, noting that they felt it was important to follow the master plan to improve the town. Brock said businesses coming in must not be allowed to hold the purse over our head and say, we’ll move into the town, but we are going to operate by our rules, not yours.
Griffin, on the other hand, voted for the easing of the restrictions. Griffin said the master plan should be changed when needed to meet the needs of growth.
The short question: How do you feel about mobile/itinerant vendors doing business in Blythewood?
Michelle Kiedrowski: When itinerate merchants come in and stay, they take business away from our local businesses. I’m not against vendors; vendors effect how Blythewood looks. I’m not a fan of them sitting overnight.
Larry Griffin: Some merchants like it and some don’t, so we need to have an ordinance to abide by. If we change the ordinance we have to be fair. What we do for one, we have to do for all.
Donald Brock: Itinerant merchants don’t have the same overhead and responsibility as a brick and mortar business. Perfect example is Grace Coffee and Bloomin’ Bean Coffee Shop. I’m sure the monthly expenses for Bloomin’ Bean exceed those of Grace Coffee. Food Trucks should come for events and then leave. That’s the nature of an itinerant merchant. They must not interfere with the businesses that are here. We need to hear from and fight for the local businesses, the ones in the trenches who provide the town’s revenue.
Bryan Franklin: Fairness is the word, but it has to be fair for the businesses that are already here.
BLYTHEWOOD – Council voted unanimously Monday night to accept a proposal drafted by town attorney Jim Meggs to give the Planning Commission the authority to approve sketch plans for developers of subdivisions rather than making it an optional function.
“The whole point here is to give developers more certainty about the town’s subdivision review and approval process,” Town Administrator Gary Parker told Council. “In the past, our planning consultant Michael Criss and I both reviewed and approved sketch plans, then it would go to the Planning Commission for preliminary plat approval. Occasionally, when our approved sketch plan got to the Planning Commission, they have not accepted what we had approved,” Parker said.
Parker said that, sometimes, based only on the sketch plan approval, the developer commits to expensive engineering and drafting of a preliminary plat before knowing whether the project’s basic design is going to be acceptable to the Planning Commission with regard to zoning conformance, lot count and layout, road geometry, proposed utility services, sidewalks and trails, open space and tree preservation, etc.
Should the Planning Commission not approve it, the developer might have already wasted thousands of dollars on the project.
“This proposal will get the plan to the Planning Commission for its approval first, giving the developer vested rights for two years,” Meggs said.
During a workshop earlier this month, Councilman Utroska asked how the Commissioners would get sufficient training to understand the ramifications of how to make the approvals for the sketch plan.
“We currently rely on the Town Administrator and Michael Criss, who are qualified to do that,” Utroska said.
To ensure that they [Commissioners] have the benefit of Parker’s and Criss’s input, Parker explained that there is a section in the draft ordinance that requires them (Parker and Criss) to give a report and recommendation to the Commissioners prior to the sketch plan coming before the Commission.
“We think that is a slight improvement in the process,” Parker said. “And I’m sure that many developers will also.”
BLYTHEWOOD – After a request for Limited Industrial (LI) zoning on property adjacent to Doko Park was softly introduced to Town Council Monday night as being made by a local businessman, Keith Gilstrap, Council voted 4-1 to approve it. The zoning request included two acres of Gilstrap’s 4.5 acre tract on McLean Road where he also operates a roofing company which, he said, does construction work.
Only Mayor J. Michael Ross, who voted against the request, questioned the potential problems that could be posed by an LI zoning classification next to the park.
“We know your intentions,” Ross said, “but if you sell this property, we are then opening ourselves up on those two acres. There are a lot of land use categories that come with LI that are not in CC. I assume,” Ross said, looking toward town attorney Jim Meggs, “that once we do this, it’s done and it stays that way.”
“The parcel is currently zoned Community Commercial (CC), the most intense commercial zoning district [in the town,]” Michael Criss, the Town’s planning consultant explained. “Mr. Gilstrap wants to add to this property an approximate 5,000 square foot metal building in which he will operate…wholesale preparation and distribution of insulation materials. So he’s going to go from the most intense commercial district to the least intense industrial district, but it is a land use change, and all of the land uses allowed in LI zoning would be permissible on this property,” Criss said.
Those permitted uses include the manufacturing, processing and packing of canned and frozen food, apparel, wood kitchen cabinets, perfumes and cosmetics, luggage, leather goods, pottery and other items. It would also permit outright a commercial printing operation.
Conditional uses include Garages for car repair and service, communication towers and firework stands. Manufactured home sales are allowed with a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
“I swear, we’re getting ready to open a close-to-$500,000 amphitheater in the park and, when you think about it having something zoned Limited Industrial that you could walk through the woods to,” Ross said.
The zoning request was sent to Council from the Planning Commission with a unanimous recommendation for the industrial zoning designation.
WINNSBORO – County Administrator Jason Taylor announced during Council meeting Monday evening that a lease operating agreement had been signed between the County and Brian Steed to provide both airplane repair services and flight lessons at the County airport. Steed was previously the fixed base operator at the airport in charge of managing the airport and collecting fees on hangar rentals and fuel. He was paid by the County.
Last month Council approved reorganizing the structure of the management of the airport. Under that reorganization, the airport will no longer be under the management of a fixed base operator. Those duties will be handed off to a new airport director who will report directly to the County Administration. Denise Bryan is serving as an interim director while Taylor is currently advertising for a permanent director (see posting on page 11).
The fees that the airport generates yearly, about $61,036, will now be used to cover the $60,000 salary of the new Director.
“We’re bringing the airport back into the County as a department as opposed to leasing or contracting the whole airport out to a fixed base operator.” Taylor said. “We’ll have a manager in house, use all those fees to pay that person’s salary and then rent back space to Brian Steed and treat him more as a vendor and allow him to use space for mechanic services and things like that.”
According to Council’s Request of Action, the airport was deemed to be sub-par in safety levels and overall professionalism by an operational assessment performed in June.
BLYTHEWOOD – Every election year, The Voice offers space for the candidates for Blythewood Town Council to present their platforms, backgrounds and generally say why they are running for office. While the field opened with five candidates Sept. 5, Courtney Leavitt, a Cobblestone Park resident, dropped out of the race last week, issuing a prepared statement explaining, “It is with heavy heart that I share with you my decision to withdraw from the town council race. With my current work environment and commitments to external activities, I feel as if I would not be able to give full effort towards Blythewood and the town council seat.”
All four of the remaining candidates have submitted their campaign information for publication. That copy is printed here as submitted and not edited.
Donald Brock
Brock
Hello, my name is Donald Brock, Jr. and I’d like to speak to every voter about why I’ve decided to run for Town Council. When my family moved to Blythewood in January 2016, I had already made the decision that I wanted to be involved in the community. I have two young children (7 & 5) and felt that Blythewood offered positive influences to their lives that other places in and around Columbia could not. And it was up to me to make that happen. I want to be a voice for those who have smaller voices, for those who will feel the impact of decisions as they grow and mature. My children (and others throughout the community) are the future of Blythewood and it’s up to us to lay a solid foundation. I want to be a part of that foundation and that’s why I’m running for Town Council.
The Town of Blythewood is a growing community; a community that has held true to itself for many years.
With that, I want to encourage the town to invest in itself and offer “Blythewood First”, a platform that encourages the community to better itself through collective action and accountability.
As a member of the Planning Commission, we have fought diligently to prevent residential overdevelopment. We have up zoned multiple parcels throughout the town to prevent “vinyl villages” from popping up. As a Council member, I want to continue working with our Planning Commission to discourage tract building. Our town takes pride in our open and flowing neighborhoods. I want to encourage builders to offer larger lot sizes, more open/green space, incorporate desired amenities and instead of just building homes, let’s build lifestyles.
Another one of the challenges our town faces is a lack of recreational outlets. We have a fantastic baseball/softball community, but one of the major issues facing this community is a lack of fields. Unfortunately, some children are turned away each year and I find this unacceptable. In the past, Richland County Recreation Commission (RC) has been asked to procure additional facilities and those requests have fallen on deaf ears. I propose we form the Blythewood Recreation Department, a subset of Town Hall that’s charged with the task of procuring and managing our own facilities. Not only recreation facilities, the multi-use trail system that’s being proposed currently would fall under this department. If the RC will not invest in Blythewood, then perhaps it’s time Blythewood divest itself from the RC and frankly, invest in ourselves!
I want to create more community-focused events, utilizing our best asset: Doko Meadows. More concerts, festivals, etc. will only enhance lives and encourage those living outside Blythewood to come visit. Our children need more recreational outlets, whether that be indoor or outdoor. We clearly have to invest in the youth of the community.
Vote Brock on November 7th!
Brian Franklin
Franklin
I’m Brian Franklin, a candidate for the Blythewood Town Council,
Education:
Attended Richland School District Two schools here in Blythewood: BHE and Spring Valley, 1973-1986
B.S. Biology, The Citadel, 1990
Master of Health Administration, Chapman University, 1996
Master of Strategic Studies: US Army War College, 2011
Town Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tempore, Whitakers, NC, 2002-2004
Chairman, Town Zoning Board, Whitakers, NC, 2000-2002
Work Experience:
US Army Officer, 1990-2014
Retired Army Officer/Stay-At-Home Dad, 2014-2017
Currently: Department of the Army Civilian, Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC
Family:
Married to the former Desdemona (Dusty) L. Herman of Toledo, Ohio (retired Army officer). We have eight children — five girls and three boys.
Candidate Statement:
As a Blythewood native, I have always advocated for our Community. Whether it be our local schools, our community parks or our town government, I have taken active roles in their improvement over the years by serving as a volunteer on the Parent Teacher Organizations, as a baseball coach and scout leader, and most recently as the Chairman of the Blythewood Planning Commission. I would now like to use that volunteer experience to serve as a Town Council Member and help guide our town as we grow into the future.
Blythewood is a vibrant, friendly and growing community situated in a strategic location in South Carolina. Located just a short drive from the SC beaches, Charleston, Charlotte and the mountains, Blythewood is a perfect place to start a business, raise a family or simply retire. As such, we attract numerous businesses and developers to help us grow. This growth often happens quickly, and this predicament is where I see our three biggest challenges:
Growth is outpacing our infrastructure development.
Rapid growth is saturating our schools.
Our parks and recreation facilities are in need of expansion.
If I am elected to the Blythewood Town Council, I will:
Continue the work I have started as the Chairman of the Town Planning Commission by ensuring smart and controlled growth in accordance with the Master Plan and ensure the transportation infrastructure keeps pace with the massive residential and business growth.
Assist in establishing partnerships to create walking trails, expand our baseball/softball/football facilities, and improve our playground/exercise areas. We have the potential to capitalize on our recent Dixie Youth Little League (softball/baseball) and Pop Warner Football successes to become a perennial “host site” for these income-generating events.
And lastly, I will continue to be an advocate for our community to attract new businesses into our Town Center while maintaining our small town feel. Growth is inevitable, but we owe it to our current residents to control it so everyone feels comfortable living, working and playing in Blythewood.
Thank you, and I ask for your vote on November 7th in the Blythewood Town Council election.
~Bryan S. Franklin
Larry Griffin
Griffin
Larry D. “Griff” Griffin is just that; a quiet storm and a force to be reckoned with. He is his family’s bulwark of strength, and he humbly serves his community as an advocate for history, mentorship and most of all, he displays compassion. “GRIFF” as he’s passionately called, is a native of Blythewood, SC born to the proud parents of Nettie Griffin Benson and the late Truzell Alfonso Kelly.
“GRIFF” received his education in the Richland School District #2, and he attended the historic Bethel-Hanberry High School until it closed in 1970. He then went to Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC where he graduated in the top 3rd percentile in his class of over 400 in 1972.
“GRIFF” went on to further his education at Grambling State University, (Grambling LA) and SC State University (Orangeburg SC) where he majored in Business Administration and minored in Economics.
Larry D. “GRIFF” Griffin is a very successful business professional (owner); yet he’s very connected to and passionate about the community. He has been actively serving the community for over 35 years, and continues to make his mark, especially through-out the town of Blythewood. Presently he serves on the Town Council. “Griff serves as President and one of the organizers of the Athletic Alumni Association of Bethel Hanberry (BHAAS). Larry passionately serves on several boards and serves as the Executive Director of Macedonia Baptist Church food bank which is affiliated with Harvest Hope. Of all the areas that he serves, one of his most fulfilling pleasures is making and impact in the lives of young males as a mentor.
“Griff” is married to his childhood sweetheart Leanora, for over 45 years. He is a great inspiration to many, But his greatest inspiration besides Leanora, are his 3 children; Stacy, Christopher and Jennipher (son-in-law James) and 2 grandchildren Caleb and Jordan.
Larry D. “Griff” Griffin’s platform and the “Why” in seeking reflections is simple. I am willing to “Be a voice for the people,” in the expansion cycle in order to see growth in the town and community of Blythewood. There is still some unfinished business.
Michelle Kiedrowski
Kiedrowski
Michelle Kiedrowski, Candidate for Blythewood Town Council, 2017
Education:
Bachelor of Science – Business Management (BSB/M); University of Phoenix, 2007
Masters of Information Systems (MIS); University of Phoenix, 2012
Political Experience:
Blythewood Planning Commissioner, 2015-2017
Work Experience:
Michelle is an Information Technology Professional with a focus on the government sector in healthcare and law enforcement. She currently works as a Project Manager and Business Systems Analyst. She is also involved in the internal aspect of the business where she designs and implements change management processes throughout the organization.
Family:
Married to Dustin (Dusty) Kiedrowski of Havre, Montana. They have no children, but focus much of their attention on nieces and nephews.
Candidate Statement:
Blythewood has proven to be a place worthy of calling ‘home’ and believe it to be an exceptional place to live and grow. I have been serving on the Planning Commission for two years and would like to make a greater impact. It’s easy for people to think because Blythewood is small it does not require as much attention. I think because it is small it needs more attention. Infrastructure has to be defined and considered with every presentation and vote.
As a Planning Commissioner, I recognize three challenges we face every time we review an agenda item, those are:
Controlling growth. Blythewood’s potential for growth is exponential, but if the infrastructure is not in place for that growth, it can do more harm than good.
Balancing history with the opportunity for new history to be made. It’s never easy to decide what should be preserved and what should be replaced for the current and future needs of the citizens.
Standing firm with the Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan. I believe these plans can be flexible, but not to the point the original ideals are lost.
If elected to Town Council, my commitment to the Town of Blythewood is to take one issue at a time, listen to citizen’s perspective, and remember the current Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan is our guide. I believe each issue brought before any board or government entity deserves its own attention.
Thank you, and I ask for your vote on November 7th in the Blythewood Town Council election.
If you have any additional questions, please contact me at mkiedrowski55@gmail.com or call 803-227-0520.
RIDGEWAY – Bending to the will of its merchants, Ridgeway Town Council voted last week to drop a three-hour parking limit from an ordinance regulating how long vehicles can park in the town.
“The three-hour limit, I understand, has always been in the ordinance,” store owner Dee Dee Ruff told Council, “but it has never been enforced, which is a good thing. For it to start being enforced would be a negative for the merchants,” Ruff said. “It takes more than three hours to eat in a restaurant and shop at the stores. We want people to stay more than three hours. And we don’t want them to go back to their cars and find a parking ticket,” Ruff said.
“We’ve heard from the merchants, “they don’t want it,” Councilman Don Prioleau said.
There was no unity, however, on prohibiting vehicles from parking overnight on Town property.
Mayor Charlene Herring who lives next to the Cotton Yard where a sod truck sometimes parks overnight across from her home, led the charge against overnight parking. Prioleau and Councilman Heath Cookendorfer said they had no problem with the occasional vehicle parking overnight in the Cotton Yard or on other Town-owned property.
“Ever since I’ve lived in this little town,” Prioleau said, “people have parked in the Cotton Yard, met other friends and family members and left their vehicles to go a couple of days to the beach, etc. I would say strike restricting overnight parking from the ordinance as well,” Prioleau said.
Cookendorfer agreed.
If the people are telling us they don’t feel its right to restrict overnight parking and to limit parking to three hours, then we shouldn’t do it. You can govern too much,” Cookendorfer said.
As the discussion drew out and became more heated between the mayor and two councilmen, Herring interrupted.
“Why should a person leave a trailer parked downtown overnight?” she asked.
“I think it’s a disservice to the community not to allow the citizens to use the Cotton Yard for parking,” Prioleau said.
“I cannot agree for tractor trailers to be parked out there,” Herring countered.
Finally, Herring called for a motion prohibiting overnight parking and nodded toward Councilwoman Angela Harrison who made the motion. Herring called for a second and looked to Councilman Doug Porter. Finally, Herring asked Hudspeth if she could second the motion herself.
“I don’t think there is a prohibition against it,” Hudspeth said.
And with that, Herring seconded the motion and Porter and Harrison voted with her to pass it by a narrow 3-2.
BLYTHEWOOD – Council discussed during a workshop last week a proposal drafted by Town Attorney Jim Meggs that would give the Planning Commission the authority to approve sketch plans for developers of subdivisions rather than making it an optional function.
“This will give developers greater certainty about the Town’s subdivision review and approval process,” Town Administrator Gary Parker told Council members last week during their monthly workshop.
Currently, Town Planning Consultant Michael Criss and Parker review and approve sketch plans. It later goes before the Planning Commission for preliminary plat approval, but, Parker pointed out, maybe not before the developer has already committed to expensive engineering, to the drafting of a preliminary plat and before the developer even knows whether their project’s basic design is going to be acceptable to the Planning Commission with regard to zoning conformance, lot count and layout, road geometry, proposed utility services, sidewalks and trails, open space and tree preservation, etc.
“One developer complained that he had the sketch plan approved by staff, then, before he could get it back to the Planning Commission for preliminary plat approval, he had already spent a lot of money. That is wasted money if the Commission turns it down,” Meggs told Council.
“This proposal moves it (sketch plan) to the Commission for approval, giving the developer vested rights for two years,” Meggs said. “This protects the developer from rule changes during that time.”
Councilman Tom Utroska asked how the Commissioners would get sufficient training to understand how to make the approvals of a sketch plan.
“We currently rely on the Town Administrator who is qualified to do that,” Utroska said.
“From a legal perspective,” Meggs said, “it’s Council’s responsibility to make sure that the people you appoint to the Commission actually comply with the statutory required hours of education to make these decisions.”
Meggs said he would be willing to become certified to conduct this training for the Commissioners to be sure they are prepared for the task of approving sketch plans.
BLYTHEWOOD – Council will give second and final reading on Monday evening to an ordinance that would allow industrial zoning on property in the town that borders Doko Park.
“Keith Gilstrap is requesting a rezoning of a portion of his business’ property located at 212 McLean Road in order to expand his insulation-cutting and wholesaling business,” Town Administrator Gary Parker told Council last month.
Gilstrap is requesting that a 2-acre portion of his approximately 4.5 acre tract of land be rezoned from Community Commercial (CC) to Limited Industrial (LI). The entire tract is adjacent to the Town park property.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the rezoning at their Sept. 5 meeting, and Council approved first reading at their September meeting.
Other items on the agenda include a revision of the subdivision regulations process and amphitheater user guidelines. In executive session, Council will discuss negotiations for the sale of the Doko property.
