Fountain Inn Receives $1.3M From South Carolina for New City Hall Design
The City of Fountain Inn, South Carolina has obtained a $1.3 million allocation from the state’s 2024-2025 budget. This financial boost is earmarked for designing a new city hall and a joint police and fire headquarters, as announced by City Administrator Shawn Bell at a City Council meeting on July 11.
Plans for a New Retail and Self-Storage Facility
In addition to the exciting news of the new city hall, the City Council gave initial approval for a rezoning request for 3.49 acres at 1314 and 1318 N. Main St. The proposer, Alex Dmyterko of Century Development Partners LLC, intends to construct a three-tenant retail/office building at the front of the site. He also plans to build a three-story, 90,000-square-foot climate-controlled self-storage facility at the rear of the property. All these plans are set for final approval on August 8.
Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
The meeting also saw a presentation from Carroll Williamson of Stewart Engineering on plans for a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s zoning ordinance. The city aims to make this rewritten ordinance clear and easily understandable. Some proposed updates to be included in the rewrite are:
- Requiring traffic analysis for subdivision
- A review of dimensional requirements for zoning districts
- Requiring open space for future subdivisions
- Exploring ways to improve connectivity between subdivisions and major roadways
- Implementing tree protection measures through tree preservation and planting requirements
- Establishing architectural and building type standards
Community Input
Stewart Engineering plans to host community workshops on August 15-16. During these workshops, input from the community regarding the updates to the zoning ordinance will be solicited. The city will announce specific details about the location and time of these workshops as the dates draw closer.
A draft of the updated ordinance is projected to be presented to the City Council in early 2025. This period serves as a demonstration of Fountain Inn’s commitment to making decisions that serve the interests of its residents.
Looking Forward
In conclusion, the funding announcement marks an important chapter in Fountain Inn’s development. The proposed plans for new city hall and joint police and fire headquarters, a new commercial and storage facility, and a rewrite of the zoning ordinance reflect the city’s commitment to growth and renewal. The people of Fountain Inn have a lot to look forward to as their city plans for the future.
