https://gabnewsonline.com/georgetowns-new-overlay-district-gets-final-approval-which-could-bring-big-p5836-90.htm?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3CR8rNYq-xaIRQbY1MsiiSQ_CQhKrtMn9ly6aPdkshgzVGdmCrawI7Hq0_aem_ATZ4TcoBgu1nvVtYSsP4f3x5bV4TOz_WlHiodVGw4WnkOQKdqwf334VX3uBUia4kcCU3A_NHWQW9WZEVak6Cn-SM
Scott Harper/GAB News•
Feb 18, 2022
Big changes could be coming to the main thoroughfares in the City of Georgetown because of the passage of the much planned and talked about Urban Core Overlay District (UCOD).
The new zoning ordinance for UCOD passed second and final reading by Georgetown City Council unanimously Thursday evening.
The new zoning impacts Highway 17, Highway 701 and Highmarket Street within the city limits. An overlay district allows cities to tighten or relax zoning rules in the areas designated without having to change an entire zoning ordinance.
Chris Inglese created the UCOD for the city while he was the director of planning and community development. He completed the process even after being hired as the administrator in Newberry County. He made the trip back to Georgetown for Thursday’s meeting.
During the next two months, some tweaks will be made to the ordinance to clarify processes and procedures and further improve the language of the documents, according to the motion that was passed. This will be done by the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments.
“This is a big, bold step in the right direction,” Inglese said. “Is it a perfect ordinance? Absolutely not. It was my intention to get something on the books that takes that step in the right direction and continue to refine and monitor it and bring amendments that will continue to improve the ordinance.”
The UCOD adds new lot, height, parking, uses, and landscaping requirements to the urban core.
The new zoning allows for new buildings on Highway 17 and Highmarket Street to be a high as eight stories tall.
Before the vote, several people spoke about the matter during the public comment period.
Richard Heusel who lives in the 300 block of Front Street said now that the UCOD has been passed “we can now move forward and concentrate on how the corridor can be developed and beautified while, at the same time, protect our inner-business district on Front Street and surrounding streets.”
Dana Bryant, who – along with her husband – owns an Airbnb on Broad Street – also spoke in favor of the UCOD.
“It is something that I think is vital not only to our community now but it is vital we make sure that what people are seeing makes them want to stop,” Bryant said. “It can turn Georgetown into not just a drive-through city, but a destination.”
Resident Sally Parker says she has some concerns about the UCOD. She presented council with a petition containing names of others who are also concerned about the new height limits.
She said the new, taller buildings will cause an increase in traffic “like we see in other developing towns.” She used Mount Pleasant as an example.
She said the people who signed the petition have faith the city will consider their concerns when making planning decisions.