Close Window      Print Window

Purpose(s)/Service(s): develop a coordinated comprehensive land use plan for the airport environs area consistent with the process.
Enabling Legislation: SC Code of Laws, Section 55-11-230

The SC Code of Laws established the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Environs Planning Commission, the “Airport Environs Planning Commission”, consisting of nine voting members, which have the powers enumerated herein, and which must be separately constituted from the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission. The Commission consists of nine (9) voting members with unlimited terms as follows:

• two members representing and appointed by the City of Greer, one of whom also must be a resident of Greenville County and one of whom also must be a resident of Spartanburg County;
• two members representing and appointed by Spartanburg County;
• one member representing and appointed by the Town of Duncan;
• two members representing and appointed by Greenville County;
• all members must be appointed or reappointed biennially by the appointing county or municipality;
• two members must be appointed or reappointed biennially by the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, one from Spartanburg County, and one from Greenville County.

If the members are elected members of the county or municipal governing body or members of the district, each such representative shall serve ex officio and with full voting privileges.

If any new municipality is created where its boundaries are wholly or partially within the airport environs area, or if any existing municipality extends its corporate boundaries into the airport environs area, that municipality becomes entitled to appoint a member of the Airport Environs Planning Commission with a representative appointed as described in this subsection, and the membership shall expand accordingly.

The Airport Environs Planning Commission is charged with the responsibility of:

• developing a coordinated comprehensive land use plan for the airport environs area in a manner consistent with the process referred to in the SC Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 contained in Article 3, Chapter 29, Title 6; however, once the Airport Environs Planning Commission has adopted a land use plan, no further action by any other commission or governing body is necessary in order to give effect to the regulations thereby adopted;
• updating the land use plan to reflect changes in the airport environs area and the uses of the airport; and
• monitoring the administration of and compliance with the plan by the affected counties and municipalities. The commission’s actions are to assure that land use within the airport environs area is compatible with noise, health, safety, and welfare considerations arising from the operation of the district.

The Commission elects one of its members as chairman and one of its members as vice chairman, whose terms must be for two years. It appoints a secretary, who may or may not be a member, but who must be a representative or employee of the Airport District. The secretary shall give notice of all meetings to all members of the Airport Environs Planning Commission at least three business days prior to the meeting. The Commission shall provide for the keeping of minutes of its proceedings which shall be a public record. A majority of the voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be present before any business is conducted, other than the rescheduling of the meeting. A member must be present to vote. All decisions shall be by majority vote of the members present and voting. The Airport Environs Planning Commission is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act as contained in Chapter 4, Title 30.

The Commission, as it considers appropriate, may utilize committees and subcommittees. The general administrative expenses of the Airport Environs Planning Commission shall be borne by the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District. A budget for such expenses shall be developed by the Airport Environs Planning Commission to include anticipated costs for consultants.

The Airport Environs Planning Commission shall work with the Greenville and Spartanburg County Planning Commissions and the planning commission of each affected municipality in the performance of its duties. The costs of the services of consultants and advisors, other than provided for in the budget, rendered to the Airport Environs Planning Commission at the request of a specific member must be borne by that member unless otherwise approved by the Airport Environs Planning Commission.

All costs, fees, or awards, or any combination of these, arising from or as a result of any action of the Airport Environs Planning Commission or the enforcement of the uniform provisions enacted pursuant to this section in excess of any state or federal funds received to defray such costs, fees, or awards must be borne by the counties in which the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District is located; provided, however, any municipality or county administering the comprehensive land use plan and uniform buildings standards adopted by the Airport Environs Planning Commission is only liable for any costs, fees, or awards arising from their ministerial acts.

For detailed information on the requirements of the uniform land use plan and uniform building standards consult Section 55-11-230 of the SC Code of Laws at http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t55c011.doc.

Address:
Contact the Greenville County Clerk to Council Office at (864) 467-7115.