by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Planning Commission on November 18, 2025, considered a resolution that would add an administrative deviation for impermeable coverage and developed area impacts from solar batteries. In fact, the Commission approved this in July, but the City Council sent it back with questions.
Whether elevated pool equipment could be included within the administrative waiver standards was one question.
After consultation with the Building Department, staff determined that pool equipment is rarely elevated more than four feet, as doing so would require additional plumbing and a higher-powered pool pump.
City Council also expressed interest in a referendum to remove the June 7, 2022, implementation date related to the administrative waiver for HVAC and emergency electrical power generators.
If that were done, a referendum would be necessary because it would allow increases in the permitted maximum impermeable coverage, vegetation removal, and developed area, which would conflict with the City Charter.
The amendment, as proposed before the Planning Commission, does not require approval via referendum, as the 2022 date remains in place.
Mayor Mike Miller was at the Planning Commission meeting and said that he intends, as one member of the Council, to bring forth the amendment that would require a referendum.
The Commission passed the resolution unanimously. It now goes back to the City Council.