The Bennettsville City Council took the first step toward amending ordinances that spell out how businesses can use sidewalks in front of their stores.
Holly Swann, manager of planning and zoning for the city, presented the recommendations of Bennettsville’s planning commission during Tuesday’s council meeting.
The changes will allow retail establishments to display merchandise and decorations on sidewalks so long as there remains five feet of pedestrian clearance.  To be allowed to do so, businesses will have to furnish the city with proof of insurance and agree that the city will not be held liable for any damages caused by the items on the street.
Any merchandise for sale must be removed when the business is not open.  Planters and other decorations will be allowed to remain.
The amended ordinance will appear on the agenda for the next council meeting.
Swann also presented that it was the recommendation of the committee to not attempt to write a city-specific code for building and construction.  The city, like most municipalities, currently uses the International Building Code.
This item was discussed during the fall after complaints regarding a construction project in a residential area that has been moving at a very slow pace and left in an unattractive state.
The IBC does not specify a time limit on building projects, only that progress has to be made every six months.
Swann said that the complexity of re-writing sections of the IBC would be difficult to legally administer.  She said that there may be other ways to address the initial issue.

Other business
–  Following a lengthy executive session to review resumes for the vacant finance director’s position, council reconvened to authorize city administrator Max Alderman to proceed with setting up interviews with a number of the candidates.
– Council approved the appointment of Patricia Karneckis to the city’s board of architectural review / tree committee.
– Council approved the appointments of Andrea Palmer and Christopher McArthur to the planning commission.
– Alderman announced city employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in January.  They are: John Crowley, 19 years, Tasha Townsend, 19 years, Ralph Townsend, 14 years, Ricky Huckabee, 13 years, Kim Peterson, 4 years, and William Griggs, 4 years.