November 2016 Council Highlights

  • Council held two public hearings at last night’s meeting.
    • The first was to receive feedback from our residents on the allowing off-premise real estate signs in all zoning areas, such pennants and fluttering devices. This new ordinance would make Sumter consistent with recent Supreme Court guidance.
    • The second was to receive feedback from our residents on a change to a planned development located at 173 Hoyt Street and 612 Maney Street. With its current use as a convenience store with quick-serve options, the owners have requested a change in use of the property to add catering.

 

  • Council also adopted the Sumter-Shaw Air Force Base Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). This is a planning effort that assessed land use around Shaw AFB and Poinsett Electronic Combat Range (ECR) promoting compatible uses and economic development, protecting public safety and quality of life, and sustaining the mission of the Air Force in the region for the long term. For more on the updated report, visit the City’s website.

 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • As most City residents know, the November 8 election left the City with a run-off position in Ward 4. That runoff is between the top two candidates, in this case, Randolph Black and Steve Corley. Only residents from Ward 4 are allowed to vote, but we wanted to remind everyone that the voting date set for the runoff in Ward 4 will be held next Tuesday, November 22.

 

  • City Administrative offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 24 as well as Friday, November 25. However, sanitation services, including trash, recycling and yard debris will continue to run throughout the holiday.

 

  • The Sumter Urban Area Transportation Services Committee is moving forward on a 16 million dollar community revitalization project that will add features to encourage walking and bike riding along Manning Avenue and North Main Street in Sumter. This will tie into the entire downtown revitalization project, with the same look and feel, including better crosswalks, underground utilities where feasible, improvements with bus shelters and bus stop poles, ornamental lighting and more. Learn more about this and other projects on the City’s website.

 

  • The City of Sumter has become the first city in South Carolina to be awarded the American Association of Retirement Communities "Seal of Approval.” What this seal does is gives Sumter an advantage to be seen first as retirees begin to search for desired areas across the United States. For more information on relocating or retiring in Sumter, call our Convention and Visitors Bureau at 436-2640.

 

  • Sumter Volunteers are asking the community to bring home-baked candies and cookies and greeting cards to the Swan Lake Visitors Center on December 7 by 3 PM, so that we can “Shower Shaw with Cookies.”  This is the 24th year of hosting the cookie drive and this event helps us to continue to show Shaw Air Force Base, its airmen, soldiers and families just how much we appreciate them. Please donate what you can. Boxes and tins work better than plastic bags. Please call 775-7423 if you want to participate.

 

  • The last day to register for federal disaster assistance is Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016 for any damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. Sumter South Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Matthew can now apply for FEMA disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.