Florence, SC

Parks and Beautification Commission

Planning Commission

The Florence Planning Commission will hold public hearings and vote on three zoning requests for parcels pending annexation, an amendment to noise and vibration regulations in the Unified Development Ordinance, and a review of an emergency access point for a subdivision. All items are scheduled for action at this meeting.

• Zone NC-6.3 on Stratton Drive (TM 00751-01-290)
• Amend Division 4-11.2 on Noise and Vibration
• Zone NC-15 at 221 North Lakewood Drive (TM 90009-01-012)
• Zone NC-15 at 2509 West Edgefield Road (TM 01221-01-051)
• Review emergency access on Carriage Place Drive for Palmetto Cove (TM 00209-01-015)

Design Review Board

City Council

City Council

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Community Development Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

City Council

City Council

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Community Development Committee

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Community Development Committee

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Parks and Beautification Commission

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

City Council

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Community Development Committee

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

City Council

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

City Council

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing and consider a variance from rear setback requirements for a swimming pool or spa at 2647 Trotter Road in the NC-15 zoning district. The meeting also includes approval of the previous month's minutes.

• Variance request BZA-2026-15 for rear setback relief for a swimming pool/spa at 2647 Trotter Road (Florence County Tax Map 01221-01-180)

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

The Florence Finance, Audit & Budget Committee is meeting to approve minutes, discuss a budget carryforward ordinance for FY 2026-27, and hold general discussion on the city's financial needs. The agenda also includes an executive session for a contractual matter.

• Approval of minutes from July 29, 2026
• Ordinance to amend the FY 2026-27 budget (carryforward)
• General discussion on financial needs and considerations
• Executive session on a contractual matter

Community Development Committee

The Florence Community Development Committee is holding a regular meeting to approve the minutes from July 29, 2026, and to hear a presentation on the Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Update by Jesse Wiles of APD Urban Planning and Management. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

• Approval of July 29, 2026 minutes
• Presentation of Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Update by Jesse Wiles (APD Urban Planning and Management)

General

The Florence Opioid Response Commission is holding a regular meeting to select a chair and discuss general opioid response efforts. The agenda also includes an executive session for discussion of a contractual matter, but no specific decisions or proposals are listed.

• Selection of the chair of the commission
• General discussion related to the opioid response commission
• Executive session for discussion on a contractual matter

Business Development Committee

The Florence Business Development Committee will hold a regular meeting on August 13, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the Magnolia Room at 324 West Evans Street. The agenda includes approving the July 23, 2026 minutes, receiving updates from the Florence Chamber on small business and from Styx Co on the Urban Square project, and discussing business development needs for the city. The committee may take action to recommend items to City Council.

• Approval of July 23, 2026 minutes
• Florence Chamber small business update
• Monthly Urban Square update by Styx Co
• General discussion on business development needs
• Next meeting set for September 17, 2026

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board will meet to consider a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The board is deciding whether to approve exterior renovations for a property in the D-4 Timrod Park Overlay District.

• DRB-2026-12: Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior renovations at 509 West Pine Street

General

The Florence Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee is meeting to approve minutes, select a chair, and discuss the date and time for a presentation on accommodations tax matters. The agenda is otherwise procedural.

• Approval of minutes from September 10, 2025
• Selection of committee chair
• Discussion of presentation date and time for accommodations tax

Planning Commission

The Florence Planning Commission will hold public hearings on several zoning changes. Items include a request to rezone five parcels on Kuker Street from CR to CBD. Additional proposals seek new zoning designations for parcels on Ascot Drive, Stratton Drive, and eighteen parcels on North Aiken Drive, some pending annexation.

• PC-2026-22 – Rezone five parcels at 206, 208, 210, 211, and 212 Kuker Street from CR to CBD
• PC-2026-23 – Zone parcel at 2711 Ascot Drive as NC-15, pending annexation
• PC-2026-24 – Zone parcel on Stratton Drive as NC-6.3, pending annexation
• PC-2026-25 – Rezone eighteen parcels on North Aiken Drive from NC-6.2 to CG

City Council

The Florence City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 10, 2026, with several ordinances and resolutions up for consideration. Key items include second readings for a lease agreement with Pee Dee Healthy Start and a rezoning of 107 South Homestead Drive, plus first readings for amendments to the Public Safety Citizen's Review Board and annexation of properties owned by The Grove at Ebenezer, LLC. The council will also consider resolutions for downtown redevelopment grants, a housing incentive in North Florence, and multiple SCDOT highway agreements. Several items may be discussed in executive session.

• Second reading: lease agreement with Pee Dee Healthy Start, Inc.
• Second reading: rezoning 107 South Homestead Drive from NC-6.1 to CR
• First reading: amend Public Safety Citizen's Review Board ordinance
• First reading: annex and zone PDD properties owned by The Grove at Ebenezer, LLC
• Resolutions for SCDOT agreements on East Palmetto Street, US 52, South Church Street, and Cashua Drive bridge

Parks and Beautification Commission

The Florence Parks and Beautification Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve June minutes, hear requests for Cartoon in the Park and Harvest in the Park events, and receive committee reports on tree removal, the annual plan, by-laws, Arbor Day, and Florence Trails. Commissioners will also provide oversight updates on numerous city parks including Veterans Park, Freedom Florence, Dr. Iola Jones Park, Jeffries Creek Park, Levy Park, and others.

• Public appearances: Cartoon in the Park (Timrod) by Jody Ramson and Harvest in the Park by Denise Flippen-Stewart (C.A.V.E.)
• Committee reports on Tree Removal Request Program, Annual Plan, By-Laws, Arbor Day, and Florence Trails
• Park oversight updates for 20+ parks including Veterans Park, Freedom Florence, Dr. Iola Jones Park, Jeffries Creek Park, and Soccer Complex

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings and vote on two variance requests. One seeks relief from residential parking requirements at 1032 Middleton Street. The other requests variances from minimum lot area and width to create a new lot behind 1300 and 1304 West Palmetto Street.

• Public hearing on variance BZA-2026-13 from parking requirements at 1032 Middleton Street (NC-6.1 district)
• Public hearing on variance BZA-2026-14 from minimum lot area and width to create a lot behind 1300 and 1304 West Palmetto Street (NC-15 district)
• Approval of minutes from June 25, 2026 regular meeting

Business Development Committee

The Florence Finance, Audit & Budget Committee is meeting to discuss banking services and opioid funding. The agenda includes a review of minutes and general discussion of the city's financial needs. The meeting is primarily procedural and discussion-based.

• Banking RFP discussion
• Opioid funding discussion

Business Development Committee

The Florence Community Development Committee will hold a regular meeting to review general community development efforts, receive updates on house demolition and historic preservation plans, hear from a local CDC, and discuss the Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan update.

• Update on house demolition and preservation plans for historical property
• Presentation of Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan update by Jesse Wiles (APD Urban Planning and Management)

The committee approved the minutes from the June 24, 2026, meeting. Members received updates on CDBG projects, the planned demolition of 215 E. Darlington Street, and the Florence Neighborhood Plan Summary Report.

• Approved minutes from June 24, 2026, meeting

Business Development Committee

The Florence Business Development Committee will convene to approve prior minutes and receive an update on Urban Square from Styx Co. The meeting includes a general discussion on business development needs and will consider recommending actions to City Council.

• Approval of June 25, 2026 minutes
• Monthly Urban Square update by Styx Co
• Discussion of business development needs
• Consideration of recommendations to City Council

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider three requests regarding property subdivisions and commercial easements. These actions involve specific parcels on South Coit Street, West Palmetto Street, and Stokes Road.

• PC-2026-19: Commercial easement for subdivision at 513 South Coit Street
• PC-2026-20: Commercial easement for subdivision at 2925 West Palmetto Street
• PC-2026-21: Sketch plan review for subdivision along Stokes Road

The Florence Planning Commission approved all three items on the agenda: two commercial easements for subdivisions at 513 South Coit Street and 2923 West Palmetto Street, and a sketch plan for a subdivision along Stokes Road. All motions passed unanimously (5-0). No public hearings were required for any item.

• Approved commercial easement for subdivision at 513 South Coit Street (5-0)
• Approved commercial easement for subdivision at 2923 West Palmetto Street (5-0)
• Approved sketch plan for subdivision along Stokes Road (5-0)

City Council

The Florence City Council will hold its regular meeting on July 13, 2026. The agenda includes second readings for zoning changes and first readings for ordinances extending a lease with Pee Dee Healthy Start, Inc. and rezoning a property on South Homestead Drive.

• Bill No. 2026-25: Second reading to rezone 901 Rose Street from NC-6.1 to NC-6.2
• Bill No. 2026-17: First reading to extend the lease agreement with Pee Dee Healthy Start, Inc.
• Bill No. 2026-27: First reading to rezone 107 South Homestead Drive from NC-6.1 to CR
• Resolution No. 2026-32: Proclaiming August 2-8, 2026 as National Health Center Week
• Executive Session: Discussion regarding the noise ordinance and proposed Economic Development Project

Florence City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to rezone 107 South Homestead Drive from NC-6.1 to Commercial Reuse (CR), following a 5-1 Planning Commission recommendation. The council also passed first reading of a lease extension with Pee Dee Healthy Start, Inc. for five years, and deferred board and commission appointments to the August 10 meeting. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

• Adopted minutes of June 8, June 15, and June 22 meetings (7-0)
• Adopted Bill No. 2026-25, rezoning 901 Rose Street from NC-6.1 to NC-6.2 (7-0)
• Passed first reading of Bill No. 2026-27, rezoning 107 South Homestead Drive to CR (7-0)
• Passed Resolution No. 2026-32, proclaiming National Health Center Week (7-0)
• Passed first reading of Bill No. 2026-17, extending lease with Pee Dee Healthy Start for 5 years (7-0)
• Deferred appointments to Boards and Commissions to August 10 meeting (7-0)

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board will hold public hearings and consider two Certificate of Appropriateness requests: one to construct an event space at 124 West Evans Street (H-1 Historic District) and another to demolish a building at 314 Warley Street (D-4 Timrod Park Overlay District). The board will also approve minutes from the April 15, 2026 meeting.

• Certificate of Appropriateness for event space construction at 124 West Evans Street (DRB-2026-10)
• Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition of building at 314 Warley Street (DRB-2026-11)
• Public hearings for both projects
• Approval of minutes from April 15, 2026 regular meeting

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

The Florence Public Safety Citizen Review Board will hold a regular meeting with a single substantive item: a hearing that may be conducted in executive session. The agenda is otherwise procedural, including approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Hearing (may be held in Executive Session)

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider three variance requests for properties in Florence. The body will decide on requests for a minimum lot size at 3801 Breckridge Circle and two requests for accessory structure setbacks at 1767 Marsh Avenue and 4021 West Eagle Street.

• BZA-2026-10: Variance for minimum lot size at 3801 Breckridge Circle (NC-15)
• BZA-2026-11: Variance for accessory structure setbacks at 1767 Marsh Avenue (NC-15)
• BZA-2026-12: Variance for accessory structure setbacks at 4021 West Eagle Street (RG-2)
• Approval of minutes from the May 28, 2026 regular meeting
• Next meeting scheduled for July 23, 2026

Business Development Committee

The committee will receive a monthly update from Styx Co regarding the Urban Square. Members will also discuss Levy Park and general business development needs for the City of Florence.

• Monthly Urban Square update by Styx Co
• Discussion regarding Levy Park
• General business development needs and considerations for the City of Florence

Business Development Committee

The committee will meet to conduct general discussions regarding community development efforts for the City of Florence. The agenda includes updates on house demolitions and a report from Building Florence Together - CDC.

• Update on house demolition
• Update from Building Florence Together - CDC

The committee reviewed progress on neighborhood revitalization and community development projects. Updates included the upcoming sale of a home at 412 S. Gaillard Street and a scheduled re-bid for four new homes in the E. Pine Street and Gaillard Street area.

• Approved May 27, 2026, meeting minutes

Business Development Committee

The Florence Finance, Audit & Budget Committee will meet to approve minutes from May 27, 2026, and discuss a procurement policy regarding local vendor preference. The meeting also includes a monthly financial report and general discussion on the city's financial needs.

• Approval of May 27, 2026 minutes
• Discussion on local vendor preference procurement policy
• Monthly financial report (information only)
• General discussion on city financial needs

City Council

Florence City Council holds a special meeting for the second reading of Bill No. 2026-26, an ordinance to amend the city budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. This is the only substantive item on the agenda.

• Second reading of Bill No. 2026-26: ordinance to amend the FY 2026-2027 budget

Florence City Council held a special meeting and adopted Bill No. 2026-26, an ordinance amending the city budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, on second reading. The vote was unanimous (6-0). Mayor Barnes noted a correction to the PDRTA allocation, changing it from $165,000 to $164,000. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Adopted Bill No. 2026-26, budget amendment for FY2026-27, on second reading (6-0)
• Corrected PDRTA allocation from $165,000 to $164,000

City Council

This special meeting of Florence City Council includes the first reading of Bill No. 2026-26, an ordinance to amend the city budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Council will then enter executive session to receive legal advice regarding the bill, with possible action afterward.

• First reading of Bill No. 2026-26 — budget amendment ordinance for FY 2026-2027
• Executive session for legal advice on the budget amendment

The Florence City Council passed Bill No. 2026-26 on first reading, amending the FY 2026-2027 budget to appropriate $265,000 from the General Fund's unassigned fund balance. The funds provide $100,000 for Florence Regional Airport and $165,000 for PDRTA, with the airport funding contingent on restoring council representation on the Airport Authority. The vote was unanimous (7-0).

• Passed Bill No. 2026-26 on first reading (7-0)
• Appropriated $265,000 from General Fund unassigned balance
• Allocated $100,000 for Florence Regional Airport
• Allocated $165,000 for PDRTA
• Entered executive session for legal advice (6-1)

Planning Commission

The Florence Planning Commission will consider a request to rezone a property on South Homestead Drive and review a sketch plan for townhomes on East Howe Springs Road.

• Rezoning request for 107 South Homestead Drive (NC-6.1 to CR)
• Sketch plan review for Howe Springs Townhomes at 235 East Howe Springs Road

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. Members are considering ordinances to adopt the new budget, amend the current budget, and authorize water and sewer system revenue borrowing. The meeting also includes several property rezoning and conveyance requests.

• Public hearing on the City of Florence Fiscal Year budget 2026-2027
• Bill No. 2026-20: Rezoning property on Stokes Road from CG to RG-3
• Bill No. 2026-21: Annexation and zoning of 0.13 acre lot adjacent to 1057 Grove Boulevard
• Bill No. 2026-24: Authorization of water and sewer system revenue borrowing and State Revolving Fund loan
• Bill No. 2026-25: Rezoning 901 Rose Street from NC-6.1 to NC-6.2

The Florence City Council adopted the FY 2026-2027 budget on second reading after amending it to reduce the Florence Regional Airport allocation by $80,000 and increase PDRTA funding from $281,000 to $361,000. The amendment and final adoption both passed 6-1, with Pro tem Jebaily voting against. The council also approved several other ordinances, including a rezoning on Stokes Road and a water/sewer revenue bond ordinance.

• Adopted FY 2026-27 budget as amended, shifting $80K from airport to PDRTA (6-1)
• Approved $15,000 Duke Energy HERO grant for Fire Department equipment
• Adopted Bill 2026-18 amending current FY budget (7-0)
• Rezoned Stokes Road property from CG to RG-3 (7-0)
• Annexed and zoned PD 0.13-acre lot on Grove Boulevard (7-0)
• Conveyed surplus parcels to National Council of Negro Women and Greenan (7-0)
• Authorized water/sewer revenue borrowing via State Revolving Fund (7-0)
• Passed first reading of rezoning at 901 Rose Street to allow duplexes (7-0)

Parks and Beautification Commission

The Florence Parks and Beautification Commission will hear presentations including a Tree City Growth Award from the SC Forestry Commission, and requests for events at Dr. Iola Jones Park, Levy Park, Timrod Park, and Veteran's Park. Committee reports cover tree removal, annual plan, by-laws, Arbor Day, and trails. The meeting also includes an executive session to discuss contractual arrangements related to appearances and requests.

• Tree City Growth Award presentation by Frank Waite (SC Forestry Commission Urban Forester)
• Dr. Iola Jones Park event request by Carolyn Mitchell
• Levy Park event request by Ervin Brown
• Timrod Park Picnic Shelter request by Lorenzo Owens
• Veteran's Park request by Brandi Johnson

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will review a public request to vary the size requirement for an accessory structure at 1505 Madison Avenue, located in the NC-15 zoning district. The request is identified as BZA-2026-09 and references Florence County Tax Map Number 90035-12-006. The meeting also includes routine approval of the April 23 minutes and adjourns.

• Variance request (BZA-2026-09) for accessory structure size at 1505 Madison Avenue, NC-15 district

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request for a size variance for an accessory structure at 1505 Madison Avenue. The decision allows the applicant to build a larger building than currently permitted by the Unified Development Ordinance due to the lot's specific size and conditions.

• Approved April 23, 2026 minutes (6-0)
• Approved accessory structure variance at 1505 Madison Avenue (6-0)

Business Development Committee

The committee will meet to discuss community development efforts and plan a meeting with non-profit organizations to strengthen the community. The agenda also includes updates on house demolitions and a report from Building Florence Together - CDC.

• Discussion on planning a meeting with non-profit organizations
• Update on house demolition
• Update from Building Florence Together - CDC

The committee approved the minutes from the April 29, 2026, meeting. Members agreed to prepare a resolution recognizing National Homeownership Month for the next City Council meeting. Discussions included nonprofit collaboration and updates on property acquisitions.

• Approved April 29, 2026, meeting minutes
• Agreed to prepare a resolution for National Homeownership Month

Business Development Committee

The Finance, Audit & Budget Committee will discuss the city's procurement policy regarding local vendor preference. It will receive the monthly financial report, which is for information only. The committee will hold a general discussion on the city's financial needs and considerations. An executive session is scheduled to discuss two contractual matters referenced under code 60-4-70(a)(2).

• Procurement policy discussion – local vendor preference
• Monthly financial report (information only)
• General discussion on city financial needs and considerations
• Executive session to discuss contractual matter (code 60-4-70(a)(2)) – item a
• Executive session to discuss contractual matter (code 60-4-70(a)(2)) – item b