AIKEN -- A plan to make changes to the Aiken County Code of Ordinances concerning the location of smoke or vape shops is headed to County Council for consideration.
In a 5-0 vote Sept. 18, the County Planning Commission approved the recommendation of amendments that would restrict where such businesses could to be established.
One of the proposals would prevent smoke or vape shops from being located within 2,000 feet of public or private K-12 schools, post-secondary education institutions, child day care facilities, youth centers, recreational facilities, public parks, community centers and churches and other religious institutions.
A smoke or vape shop also couldn't be established within 2,000 feet of another smoke or vape shop.
Included in the proposed amendments are various definitions related to smoke or vape shops and the products that they sell.
The Planning Commission developed the recommendations after the appointment of a subcommittee and discussions.
In addition, the panel asked for county staff to do some research and also to seek input from County Attorney Brad Farrar.
County Chief Development Officer Joel Duke told the Planning Commission in June that county staff prepared amendment drafts after South Aiken High School Principal Sam Fuller spoke to County Council in April and asked for restrictions to be placed on the location of vape shops in proximity to schools.
In February 2024, County Council had received a letter signed by Fuller and other high school principals in the county making the same request.
The letter stated that they wanted to "express concern over the rampant use of various vaping products by Aiken County students."
The letter also asked County Council to advocate for "strengthened legal and financial consequences for selling vape products to 'underaged' individuals."
Following Fuller's appearance before County Council, the panel sought the assistance of county staff and the Planning Commission, asking them to come up with proposed amendments to the County Code of Ordinances, according to Duke, who also is an assistant county administrator.
Six members of the Planning Commission were present at the Sept. 18 meeting, which was held at the Aiken County Government Center.
In the absence of Chairman Jason Palmer, Vice Chairman Liz Stewart conducted the meeting. She didn't vote on any items on the agenda because action on her part wasn't needed to break a tie.
In another matter, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that County Council deny a request to change the zoning designation for a 20.28-acre tract in the Sudlow Lake Road/Addie Road area near Graniteville from Rural Development/Residential Single-Family Conservation to Rural Development only.
Applicant Joshua Jackson told the Planning Commission that he would like to establish a storage business on the property.
During a public hearing, six people expressed their opposition.
The area primarily is residential.
The Planning Commission also unanimously approved the construction of a 190-foot-tall, self-supporting wireless communication tower off Chime Bell Church Road between Aiken and New Ellenton.
XCell Towers III LLC and Verizon Wireless were the applicants.
Other action taken by the Planning Commission included the unanimous approval, with contingencies, of the preliminary plat (layout) for Steeplechase Subdivision Phase VI, which will have 41 lots in a section of a nearly 300-acre tract on Maxwell Road.
The location is roughly south of Aiken, between Beech Island and New Ellenton.
Planning Commission member Andrew Marine recused himself from the panel's consideration of the Steeplechase Subdivision Phase IV preliminary plat because of a potential conflict of interest.
The applicant was Maxwell Properties Aiken County LLC.