Tryon now has a new transitional business district (TBD) on each end of downtown that includes uses more similar to its central business district (CBD).

Tryon Town Council met last Tuesday, Feb. 15 and unanimously approved the new district as well as other changes to its zoning ordinance.

A public hearing was held prior to the approval with few comments.

The new TBD extends from the railroad tracks on South Trade Street to Carolina Drive and from Howard Street on North Trade Street to just past the Hwy. 108/U.S. 176 intersection.

Uses in the TBD are similar to uses in the CBD, while parking and setback requirements are similar to the town’s general business district (GB).

Included in the changes approved last week was the rezoning of the Palmer Street block downtown from GB back to CB.

Provisions were made in the rezoning to allow for the non-conforming businesses located in the block to make changes as if they were still in the GB as long as the use stays the same.

For example, Stott’s Ford, located in the rezoned area, will be non-conforming in the CBD due to car lots not allowed, but the dealership could expand based on GB requirements and could sell the business to another car dealership.

Car or boat dealerships are also not allowed in the TBD, but are still allowed in the GB, which extends to the state line along South Trade Street and along U.S. 176 on the north side of town.

Other changes approved last week include the excavation and dirt removal provisions for commercial districts.

The amount of dirt allowed to be removed was lowered from 1,200 cubic yards to 900 cubic yards.

Council also approved an electronic gaming operation ordinance.

The state has banned such businesses, but the town approved an ordinance regulating gaming businesses in case the industry finds a loophole. One judge determined that one portion of the state’s ban wasn’t constitutional.

Tryon’s Board of Planning and Adjustment has been working on changes to the zoning ordinance since a public input meeting in October, where many residents said the town needs to strengthen its commercial regulations.

The board of planning and adjustment plans to recommend other changes for landscaping and to the town’s roadway protection overlay district, among others.