Here’s a recap of Greenville County Council’s Sept. 1 meeting:
Approved: Wireless communication facilities ordinance
Council approved third and final reading of an ordinance establishing guidelines for where wireless communications facilities like cell towers can be placed in the unincorporated portions of the county.
The final measure included a number of amendments proposed by council Chairman Benton Blount (District 19) to ensure the county’s measure did not conflict with existing state and federal regulations regarding cell towers and other wireless communications facilities.
When asked if the amendments adequately addressed concerns that the new regulations might be open to legal challenge, County Attorney Chris Antley cautioned that the ordinance and regulations involve a very complex and varied field of law. He said neither he nor anyone in his office was expert in that field and that involving outside counsel with that expertise would have to be authorized by the council.
Councilmember Kelly Long (District 18) said she had spent the past two years researching similar measures across the country and patterned Greenville County’s regulations after measures that withstood legal scrutiny.
Another amendment by Councilmember Frank Farmer (District 22) to exempt wireless facilities on public property from setback requirements was withdrawn after it became apparent the majority of council opposed the exemption.
The ordinance and attendant regulations as approved create uniform standards governing the placement of wireless communications infrastructure. Among the provisions are:
- Requiring a 1,500-foot buffer between all new facilities and any residential structure
- Requiring a 3,000-foot buffer between all new facilities and any school property line
- Requiring all accessory equipment and equipment storage structures to be screened from adjacent properties
- Prohibiting night lighting on towers except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration
Approved: Zoning amendment for home-based businesses
Council gave final approval to an ordinance amending the county’s zoning regulations relating to home-based businesses.
The new language adds more flexibility to how home-based businesses operate and adds language allowing small-scale urban farming. It also adds four acceptable uses to the home occupation list: artist, massage therapy, real estate professional and small-scale urban farming.
The changes were prompted by a request from the county’s board of zoning appeals and are in part aimed at reducing the number of use by special exception requests before that board regarding home-based businesses.
