Board accepts appearance commission grant for park

SALUDA — The Saluda Board of Commissioners approved zoning changes for four parcels of property along Highway 176 during its meeting Monday.

The properties are currently vacant lots. Three are zoned R3 and one is currently zoned R1.

R3 zoning is residential, but allows for manufactured homes. Saluda Community Land Trust Board Member Betsy Burdett said the organization was in the process of buying some property in the area.

“We run the risk of having a trailer next door,” Burdett said.

The properties in question include S14-A13, S14-A11, S14-A8 and S14-A9. In a May 17 report to the commission, the Saluda Planning Board stated that the rezoning requests are in the public’s interest, represent reasonable adjustments to the city of Saluda’s zoning and are consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.

“How are those properties accessed? What about right of ways?” asked Commissioner Stan Walker.

Saluda City Manager Jonathan Cannon said the properties could be accessed from Highway 176 and along Pace Street. In the May report, the planning board said that the properties are, “Adequately serviced by appropriate infrastructure and, as they lie along Highway 176, would present attractive locations for developments allowed by R2 zoning.”

“The city staff has fielded no opposition to the zoning changes,” Cannon said. “All three property owners request the change, and currently the city’s staff sees no reason to deny the zoning change.”

Though the paperwork did not list all of the property identification numbers correctly, Saluda City Attorney Jana Berg determined that the zoning request had been advertised correctly, and said they could move forward with the vote during the July meeting.

“You’ll be on solid legal ground to go ahead and approve the zoning,” Berg said.

Leon Morgan made the motion to approve the zoning request, and the board approved it unanimously.

In other business, the board approved the consent agenda, which included accepting a Polk County Appearance Commission grant of $609 for McCreery Park.

Under old business, the board accepted a new audit contract, approved the disposition resolutions for surplus equipment and increased the monthly Automated Clearing House draft limits from $60,000 to $80,000 and the daily limit from $30,000 to $45,000.