Walhalla does a re-think on the moratorium

Walhalla’s elected leaders extended the moratorium regulating discount stores through December 31.  And, at the recommendation of the administrator, the city council re-established the moratorium boundaries.  Approved was Administrator Brandon Burton’s recommendation to confine the restrictions to the section of the city that takes in Johnson to Maple streets and within both sides of Broad Street.  That way, it was explained, the city will not restrict development in the areas of Zaxby’s and the commercial business strip of SC 28.  The vote to lengthen the moratorium and re-draw the boundaries followed the council’s decision last night to table changing the zoning law to establish sections for retail development and promote the growth of small business.  The decision to table followed Councilman Keith Pace’s suggestion the city is acting foolishly by enacting rules that could discourage commercial development which would bring revenue to a city government in need of money to pay for water and sewer projects.