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    • COMMUNITY

    Charter Review has 5 proposals to put on ballot – maybe more

    By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
    Editor

    The county’s Charter Review Committee met last week and came up with a few more recommendations for possible changes to the county Charter to be considered by voters next year.
    One is for an amendment to the county charter the county commission to hold a study on impact fees every five years.
    Another proposal is to require new development to preserve live oaks and longleaf pines larger than 6 inches in diameter, and other signature trees larger than 12 inches in diameter, unless located within the development footprint and no other reasonable configuration is possible.
    The third is a limitation on RV parks to create a maximum density of 5 units per acre. Currently the Commercial Travel Trailer Park designation allows 10 per acre.
    The meeting on Monday, Oct. 23, ended with the committee planning to hold a couple of public hearings on the proposals this month before the issues go on the ballot next year.
    But committee chair Chris Russell received a request from a member to bring up two additional proposals and a final meeting has been set for Thursday, Nov. 2 at the community center at 6 p.m. Reportedly, the two items being brought forward by committee member David Damon are  citizens right to clean drinking water, and something dealing with the Medart landfill.
    At a previous meeting, the Charter Review Committee voted to propose a public safety ordinance  that would regulate interactions between citizens and motorists – basically intended to prohibit panhandling.
    Another proposal would have the Charter Review Committee be appointed to review the charter every six years, instead of eight.
    All of the proposals will be the subject of public hearings on Nov. 14 and Nov. 28 at the community center and then presented to the county commission in December. The proposals will then appear on the ballot next year for voters to approve or reject.