- Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
- Planning Commission (PC)
- Tree Board (TB)
General Information
The Board is comprised of five non-compensated members appointed by the City Council to serve five-year terms. Whenever possible, the members shall be architects, engineers, building contractors, and/or building material suppliers, and one member at large. Each member attends State mandated orientation in the first year of appointment and annual continuing education each year thereafter.
The Board of Zoning Appeals was established to...
- To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in an order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the administrative official in the enforcement of the City of Westminster Code of Ordinance.
- To hear and decide individual requests for variance from the requirements of the City of Westminster Code of Ordinance when strict application of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship.
Variances shall be decided based upon the standards and procedures set forth by the South Carolina Code of Laws and the City of Westminster Code of Ordinance.
Current BZA Member Roster:
| Members |
Term Expiration |
| Mr. James Spearman |
December 31, 2021 |
| |
|
| Mr. Chester Lee, Chairman |
December 31, 2023 |
| Mr. Eddie Turner, Vice Chairman |
December 31, 2022 |
| Mr. Theron Brown |
December 31, 2019 |
NOTE TO APPLICANT(S) and INTERESTED PARTIES:
Please refrain from contacting any member of the Board of Zoning Appeals in matters related to your application. Any communication outside the public hearing, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, phone calls, written correspondence, e-mails, instant messaging, and the next level of technology that presents itself with any member of the Board is considered an "ex-parte communication."
An "ex-parte communication" occurs when an interested party ( or representative) in the matter to be decided and a quasi-judicial decision-maker discuss, outside the formal hearing process, the substance of the matter to be decided. If this were to occur the decision-maker is disqualified (must be recused) from voting on the matter. Outside communications also create an appearance of impropriety and serves to undercut public confidence in the integrity of the process.
General Information
The Planning Commission prepares and periodically makes recommendations for the revision of the City of Westminster Comprehensive Plan, as well as all development plans and programs for the City and all implementation measures required to carry out the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, including:
-
The Zoning Ordinance which includes zoning, subdivision, and land development regulations.
-
The Official Zoning Map.
-
The Capital Improvements Program.
-
The Commission shall catalog public improvements needed in the City, place them in a logical chronological order, and prioritize them. An annual list of priority projects should be forwarded to the City Council.
Current PC Member Roster:
| Members |
Term Expiration |
| Mr. Truman Holbrooks |
December 31, 2025 |
| Ms. Sandra Powell, Vice Chairperson |
December 31, 2021 |
| Mr. Jarrod Brucke |
December 31, 2020 |
| Mr. Ben Lewis |
December 31, 2022 |
| Mr. Larry Dellinger |
December 31, 2023 |
General Information
In urbanized areas summer temperatures and noise levels are higher than in the surrounding countryside. Air pollution problems are more concentrated, and the landscape is significantly altered, reducing personal health benefits available to us by having access to wooded areas and green open spaces. Trees help solve these problems.
The City of Westminster has chosen to improve our natural environment through the planting and care of trees. In the fall of 2008 our citizens and leaders established policy, regulations, and standards for the management of public trees and encourage the voluntary participation of private land owners and citizens.
The Tree Board is comprised of five uncompensated members appointed by the City Council to serve five-year terms of office. One advisory member may be appointed in addition to the five members. An unlimited number of ex-officio members shall be invited by the Tree Board to serve in a non-voting capacity.
The responsibilities of the Tree Board are to...
- Advise the Mayor and City Council in all tree-related matters.
- Serve as a source of information about proper tree maintenance techniques and community tree management policies.
- Make recommendations for public tree establishment, maintenance, protection, and removal.
- Provide input to the Street and Utilities Departments for the development of annual work plans and long range planning.
- Investigate and apply for donations and grant funding from public and private sources for community forestry related projects.
- Provide regular community tree care educational programs and information about the value of trees and proper tree maintenance to City staff and citizens.
- Review the Tree Ordinance and provide recommendations for changes to the Westminster Planning and Zoning Board and in turn to the Mayor and City Council at least every two (2) years.
- Promote and support the Tree City USA program.
- Prepare an annual report to the City Council that includes the past year’s accomplishments and planned activities.
Current TB Roster:
| Members |
|
| Ms. Sandra Brockington |
|
| |
|
| Ms. Becky DeFoor |
|
| Mr. Henry Jenkins |
|
| Mr. Greg Sluder, Chairperson |
|