The Saluda Planning Board is inviting all residents with an interest in the city’s future to attend a public meeting on Thursday, May 11.

At the request of the city’s Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board is preparing to create a new “mixed use” zoning district for the southern half of Ozone Drive, one that gives the city the tools to preserve the city’s rural ambiance while accommodating the need for increased commercial development.

“Recently the city’s been receiving applications for developments that have made it clear our existing zoning ordinance isn’t flexible enough,” said the board’s vice-chair, James Hrynyshyn. “But before we start getting into the details, we want to hear from the public, especially those who live near Ozone Drive.”

Hrynyshyn added that the seven members of the Planning Board are also thinking about designing similar zoning districts in other parts of the city. Recently, applications have come before the board to expand the Historic Commercial District on Main Street and increase the allowed density of residential districts, for example. “But we’re making Ozone a priority because that’s where the most pressure is likely to be felt.”

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. upstairs in the Saluda Library, with a special presentation by the board explaining the need for a new district.

All Planning Board meetings are open to the public. The usual schedule sees the panel meeting at 8:15 a.m. on the Thursday after the second Monday of each month, but this month’s meeting was moved to the evening to make it more convenient for the public to attend.

– article submitted by James Hrynyshyn