Florence, SC

Board of Zoning Appeals

The City of Florence Board of Zoning Appeals meets Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 324 West Evans Street. The board will hold public hearings and act on three requests: two variances and one special exception permit. It will also consider minutes from the September 24, 2026 regular meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2026.

• BZA-2026-19: variance from lot size and side setback requirements for subdivision of a lot at 156 North Homestead Drive (NC-6.3 district; Tax Map 90034-06-002)
• BZA-2026-20: variance from setback requirement for an accessory building at 702 Fairway Drive (NC-15 district; Tax Map 90019-07-001)
• BZA-2026-21: Special Exception Permit for a drive-through restaurant at 2480 Hoffmeyer Road (AC district; Tax Map 00099-01-210)
• Approval of minutes from the September 24, 2026 regular meeting
• Next meeting scheduled for November 19, 2026, moved because of Thanksgiving

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Community Development Committee

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a rezoning request for two parcels. The body will also review a sketch plan for a townhome development.

• Rezoning request from AC to NC-6.3 for 728 Barringer Street and 705 South Church Street
• Sketch plan review for Wildbird Townhomes (Tax Map Number 00126-01-412)

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board will meet to consider a Certificate of Appropriateness for a commercial renovation. The project is located within the H-1 Historic Overlay District.

• DRB-2026-15: Request to renovate commercial space at 163 West Evans Street

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

City Council

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Community Development Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

Planning Commission

Design Review Board

City Council

City Council

Business Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

Community Development Committee

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

City Council

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

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

City Council

Design Review Board

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Business Development Committee

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

Parks and Beautification Commission

City Council

City Council

City Council

City Council

City Council

City Council

City Council

Business Development Committee

The committee will receive a monthly update on the Urban Square from Styx Co. Members will also hold a general discussion regarding business development needs and considerations for the City of Florence.

• Monthly Urban Square update by Styx Co
• General discussion on City of Florence business development needs

Design Review Board

The Florence Design Review Board will hold a public hearing and consider a Certificate of Appropriateness request to demolish a house at 516 West Pine Street in the D-4 Timrod Park Overlay District. The board will also approve minutes from its August 12, 2026 meeting. The agenda contains one substantive action item.

• Public hearing on demolition of house at 516 West Pine Street (Tax Map 90075-01-030) in D-4 Timrod Park Overlay District
• Approval of minutes from August 12, 2026 regular meeting

Planning Commission

The Florence Planning Commission will hold public hearings and consider four rezoning requests, plus review a sketch plan for a townhouse development on Stratton Drive. The rezoning requests include changes to CR, NC-10, NC-6.2, and NC-6.3 designations, with two pending annexation.

• Sketch plan review for townhouse development on Stratton Drive (TM 00751-01-290)
• Rezone 214 South Homestead Drive from NC-6.1 to CR (TM 90035-08-017)
• Zone 3699 West Pointe Drive as NC-10, pending annexation (TM 07517-01-028)
• Rezone two parcels on Bellevue Drive from NC-15 to NC-6.2 (TM 90040-01-008, 90040-01-009)
• Zone property on South Church Street as NC-6.3, pending annexation (TM 90109-01-001)

City Council

The City Council will vote on several second-reading ordinances including budget amendments and multiple rezoning requests. The body will also introduce a proposal to eliminate partisan nomination procedures for municipal elections.

• Bill No. 2026-40: Proposal to establish nonpartisan primary and general election methods
• Bill No. 2026-30: Ordinance to amend the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
• Bill No. 2026-33: Rezoning of 206, 208, 210, 211, and 212 Kuker Street from CR to CBD
• Bill No. 2026-35: Rezoning of 18 parcels on North Aiken Drive from NC-6.2 to NC-6.3
• Resolution No. 2026-50: Conditional Grant and Development Agreement for a Downtown Central Overlay District project

City Council

Finance, Audit & Budget Committee

Florence's Finance, Audit & Budget Committee meets Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM in the Pecan Room at 324 West Evans Street. The agenda includes a banking RFP presentation by Three+One, accommodations tax recommendations from Tim Norwood, and a monthly financial report listed as information only. The committee will also hold general discussion on the city's financial needs and considerations. No votes on specific ordinances, contracts, or dollar amounts appear on the posted agenda.

• Banking RFP presentation by Three+One
• Accommodations tax recommendations presented by Tim Norwood
• Monthly financial report (information only)
• Approval of August 26, 2026 minutes
• General discussion on City of Florence financial needs and considerations

Parks and Beautification Commission

The Florence Parks and Beautification Commission holds its regular meeting on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 8:30 AM at the Barnes Street Activity Center, 513 Barnes St. The agenda includes approval of September 2026 minutes, two appearances (Kayla Adkins of New Spring Church and Joseph Echols of the Prince Hall Organization), a membership status check, staff reports, and committee reports. Committee topics include a tree removal request, Arbor Day, Florence Trails, and the annual plan, followed by park oversight updates for named parks and facilities. No specific decisions, dollar amounts, or ordinances are listed in the agenda text.

• Two appearances: Kayla Adkins (New Spring Church) and Joseph Echols (Prince Hall Organization)
• Committee report on a tree removal request (Ross and Curtis)
• Committee reports on Arbor Day, Florence Trails, annual plan, and by-laws
• Park oversight updates for Freedom Florence, Dr. Iola Jones Park, Jeffries Creek Park, Levy Park, Maple Park, McLeod Park, Northside Park, Mordecai C. Johnson Park, Rail Trail, Soccer Complex, Jebaily Park, Timrod Park, Tennis Complex, Sports Complex, Veterans Park, High Hill Creek, and Lester Park
• Approval of September 2026 minutes and membership status (quorum of 15 members is 8)

Public Safety Citizen Review Board

The Florence Public Safety Citizen Review Board meets Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM in City Council Chambers at 324 W Evans St. The board will consider approval of minutes from its July 2, 2026 regular meeting and review City Council revisions to the Public Safety Citizen Review Board ordinance. The agenda also allows for general discussion related to the board. No specific revisions, dollar amounts, or votes are detailed in the agenda text.

• Review and discussion of City Council revisions to the Public Safety Citizen Review Board ordinance
• Approval of minutes from the July 2, 2026 regular meeting
• General discussion related to the Public Safety Citizen Review Board

Community Development Committee

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings on three variance requests from setback requirements for property additions and a new building. The board will also approve minutes from its August 27, 2026 meeting. All three items are listed as matters in position for action.

• Variance from rear setback for addition at 1196 Summer Duck Loop (PDD district)
• Variance from side setback for addition at 1004 Cherokee Road (NC-15 district)
• Variance from rear setback for new building at 1020 West Darlington Street (IL district)

City Council

This is a work session of the Florence City Council, not a regular voting meeting. The agenda includes a call to order, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a presentation from First Tryon Advisors. No decisions or votes are listed on this agenda.

• Presentation from First Tryon Advisors

General

The Florence Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee is meeting to approve prior minutes, select a chair, and discuss accommodations tax matters. The agenda also includes presentations and scoring, likely of funding requests, though no specific projects or amounts are listed.

• Approval of minutes from September 10, 2025
• Selection of committee chair
• General discussion of accommodations tax matters
• Presentations and scoring of requests

Business Development Committee

The Florence Business Development Committee is meeting to discuss business development needs and considerations for the city. The agenda includes updates from the Florence Chamber on small business and from Styx Co on the Urban Square project. The committee may recommend action to City Council.

• Approval of minutes from August 13, 2026
• Florence Chamber small business update
• Monthly Urban Square update by Styx Co
• General discussion on business development needs

City Council

City Council

The Florence City Council is holding its regular meeting with several ordinances up for second reading, including a lease agreement with Pee Dee Healthy Start, amendments to the Public Safety Citizen's Review Board, and an annexation request that may be deferred. The council will also introduce new ordinances on budget amendments, citizen engagement sessions, and multiple rezoning requests. Resolutions include honoring a retiring police K9, naming football fields, adopting a neighborhood revitalization plan, and authorizing grant negotiations.

• Second reading: Lease agreement with Pee Dee Healthy Start (Bill 2026-17)
• Second reading: Amend Public Safety Citizen's Review Board (Bill 2026-28)
• Annexation of Grove at Ebenezer properties deferred (Bill 2026-29)
• First reading: Rezone 206-212 Kuker Street from CR to CBD (Bill 2026-33)
• Resolution: Adopt Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Update (Res. 2026-45)

City Council approved a 10-year update to the Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and passed several zoning changes. The council also authorized opioid recovery grant negotiations and approved the naming of four football complex fields.

• Adopted Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Update (7-0)
• Approved amendment to Public Safety Citizen's Review Board ordinance (7-0)
• Passed first reading for FY 2026-27 budget amendment (7-0)
• Passed first reading to repeal Resilience and Sustainability Advisory Committee (7-0)
• Passed first reading for rezoning at 206-212 Kuker Street to CBD (7-0)
• Passed first reading for NC-15 zoning at 2711 Ascot Drive (7-0)
• Passed first reading for higher-density rezoning on North Aiken Drive (7-0)
• Authorized staff to negotiate South Carolina Opioid Recovery Act grants (7-0)

Design Review Board

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)

Parks and Beautification Commission

The Commission will review various committee reports regarding tree removal, by-laws, and program development. Staff will also provide updates on oversight for numerous city parks and recreational facilities.

• Tree removal request discussion
• By-laws review
• Arbor Day and Florence Trails program updates
• Oversight reports for multiple locations including Veterans Park and Dr. Iola Jones Park
• Updates on the Rail Trail and Soccer Complex

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)

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)

The Community Development Committee heard a presentation on the Florence Neighborhood Plan Summary Report from APD Urban Planning Management, covering housing, growth, and neighborhood-specific challenges. No formal decisions were made; the committee approved the prior meeting's minutes and the plan's next step is presentation to City Council for adoption.

• Approved minutes from July 29, 2026 meeting (unanimous)

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

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

City Council approved multiple resolutions for state-led infrastructure projects on East Palmetto Street, US 52, and South Church Street. The Council also passed a resolution for the Cashua Drive bridge replacement despite concerns regarding unknown utility relocation costs.

• Adopted rezoning for 107 South Homestead Drive (7-0)
• Passed first reading of ordinance to amend Public Safety Citizen's Review Board (7-0)
• Passed first reading of annexation and zoning for The Grove at Ebenezer, LLC (7-0)
• Passed resolution for East Palmetto Street improvements (7-0)
• Passed resolution for US 52/Lucas Street/Irby Street improvements (7-0)
• Passed resolution for South Church Street improvements (7-0)
• Approved Cashua Drive bridge replacement project (6-1)
• Approved Downtown Redevelopment Grants for Q1 FY 2026 (7-0)

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