New car washes, as well as motor vehicle sales or services businesses, will not face distancing limitations in the city of Simpsonville.
City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 10, rejected a proposal to require that any new motor vehicle sales or service businesses be separated from an existing business in the same industry by 2,000 feet.
Opponents, including Spinx founder and chairman Stewart Spinks, said the measure would put a limit on free enterprise.
“I have seven stores in Simpsonville,” said Spinks. “I’m a free enterprise guy. I believe in the Constitution. I believe we are much better than our car wash competitors but the consumer will decide that. I hope not the City Council and a text amendment.”
Had the measure passed, new gas stations with car washes, similar to one the Spinx company plans to build near the intersection of W. Georgia Road and Cheyenne Drive in Simpsonville, would not be able to open in the city.
In other business:
APPROVED on first reading: 40-townhome development along N.E. Main Street
Following a contentious City Council meeting on July 27, the developer, Ford Elliott of E&H Property LLC, met with citizens concerned about the proposed development and made concessions such as:
- 40 townhomes instead of 48
- Providing a larger buffer along the left side of the property
- Providing a water retention pond with a water feature
While many issues were addressed between the community members and Elliott, the main concern continues to be increased traffic.
“Traffic is a concern for me,” said council member Stephanie Kelley. “I live on North Pliney, so I’m one street over. I know that Ms. Gracely is working hard on a lot of ways to try to help traffic overall in downtown. We all have our ideas and things of that nature. I believe we can come up with a traffic solution.”
This item will go before City Council for the second reading on Sept. 14.
APPROVED: Additional notification on zoning requests
City Council approved an update on the city’s zoning ordinance on first reading, which would require applicants to also send rezoning request notifications through certified mail to nearby property owners directly affected by a proposed rezoning or development.
The ordinance previously required notification through signage, ads in a local newspaper such as the “Tribune Times” and on the city’s website.
APPROVED: Annexation and rezoning of properties at 1212 and 27305 W. Georgia Road
City Council approved on first reading the annexation and rezoning of two parcels encompassing approximately 4.523 acres at 1212 and 27305 W. Georgia Road. Both parcels have large, single-family ranch-style homes and are currently zoned as residential suburban. If approved on the second reading, the properties will be rezoned as business general to await any future development plans.
Reminder: Curbside recycling in Simpsonville to end
At the end of August, the city of Simpsonville will end its contract with Meridian Waste and resume in-house control of trash pickup.
In addition, the city is ending curbside recycling. For citizens who wish to order curbside recycling, Recyclops will offer weekly or biweekly curbside pickup services, said Recyclops vice president of sales Dennis Wise.
