Easley City Council Tables Amending Ordinance Regarding Events

Easley City Council opened Monday night with announcement that former Mayor and former Green Wave coach Bill Carr had died.

Each council member took the opportunity to express their personal thoughts and memories of Carr, before proceeding with the meeting's agenda.

Council voted to table a discussion of Ordinance No. 2012-13, which would amend Title IX, Chapter 95 of the Easley Code of Ordinances regarding parades, picketing to include events, block parties, performances, filming and demonstrations within the City of Easley.

The ordinance had been amended when council voted to allow the to serve alcohol at a fundraiser at Old Market Square in April. During the process of re-writing the law for that event, part of the ordinance was omitted.

Several council members had questions regarding the amendment and exactly what it meant. Council will discuss the ordinance again next month.

Other matters before council:

• During the public comment portion of the meeting, Ed Paxton of Greenville urged the council to "do something else with taxpayer money than to set up speed traps along Highway 8." He asked the town to consider putting a sign with a flashing light to warn people of the change in speeds coming into town.

•Second readings were approved unanimously by council on the following ordinances:

1. Ordinance No. 2012-07: To annex 113 Shaffner Dr. and related property providing access and contiguity consisting of approximately 0.51 acres of privately owned real property owned by Tommy J. and Sandra L. Fortner and adjacent right-of-way on Shaffner Dr. and to provide a zoning designation of general commercial (Tax Map No. 5039-14-43-1362).
2. Ordinance No. 2012-08: To annex 117 Shaffner Dr. and related property providing access and contiguity consisting of approximately 0.71 acres of privately owned real property owned by Tommy J. and Sandra L. Fortner and adjacent right-of-way on Shaffner Dr. and to provide a zoning designation of general commercial (Tax Map No. 5039-14-43-0323).
3. Ordinance No. 2012-09: To annex property at the corner of Rock Springs Rd and Calhoun Memorial Highway and related property providing access and contiguity consisting of approximately 2.81 acres of privately owned real property owned by Rock Springs Baptist Church and adjacent right-of-way on Rock Springs Rd and Calhoun Memorial Highway and to provide a zoning designation of general commercial (Tax Map No. 5039-18-41-3846).

• In addition to the ordinance regarding festivals and multi-day events, council also heard first readings for several new ordinances:

1. Ordinance No. 2012-11: To re-zone approximately 1.25 acres of real property located at 207 South B St. from Residential-10 to Neighborhood Commercial (Tax map no. 5029-13-13-0839.
2. Ordinance No. 2012-12: To annex 121 Shaffner Drive and related property providing access and contiguity consisting of approximately 0.302 acres of privately owned real property owned by Shelby Howell and adjacent right-of- way on Shaffner Dr. and to provide a zoning designation of General Commercial (Tax Map No. 5039-14-33-9445).

• Council adopted the following resolutions:

1. To award a $40,000 contract to The Heritage Group Construction, Inc. for improvements to the Old Market Square Amphitheater within the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District.
2. To support a partnership between the City of Easley and the Easley YMCA during the YMCA’s 2012 summer day camp. Councilman Chris Mann did not vote, as he currently sits on the Board of Trustees at the YMCA.
3. To recognize national Police Week 2012 and to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.