Irmo Council Wrap Up: Ordinances, Grants & More

First reading of amending the Irmo Town Code to include a chapter on "landlords of residential real estate" was approved by town council members Tuesday night. 

The amendment calls for a landlord of a leased property in the town of Irmo to ensure his or her property is "reasonably maintained"  and "is not unsightly from public view."

The amendment addresses several areas the landlord must maintain including roofs, siding, landscaping and fencing.

The landlord also has to register the property with the town and pay an annual business license fee of $50 for each home. 

Council member Paul Younginer said he received several complaints from residents about homes in poor conditions and cars parked on the grass. 

Younginer showed pictures of homes in town that are in need of repair or in need of landscaping. The pictures included homes that had damaged roofs, rotting siding and overgrown grass. 

Younginer said he toured neighborhoods along with Mayor Pro Tem Barry Walker Sr. and town attorney, Jake Moore, after receiving complaints from residents in the Old Friarsgate community. 

The ordinance amendment is an attempt to begin addressing those concerns.

Council members asked that the amendment be reviewed by the town's Planning Commission before moving forward for second and final readings. 

In other business, council:

• Approved appointments for municipal clerk, town attorney and town judge, reappointing Kim Stanley, Jake Moore and Judge Joseph Epting, respectively. 
• Approved second reading of an ordinance to annex nine properties located in Lexington and Richland counties. 
• Approved second reading of an ordinance to amend the code concerning "Smoking in Public Places of Employment."
• Approved submitting a sidewalk grant in the amount of $60,122.50 for Palmetto Wood Parkway with the town match of $12,025.
• Approved submitting a sidewalk grant in the amount of $93,570 for Chillingham Road, St. Albans Road and Eastview Drive with the town match of $18,714.
• Accepted deeded property located at Palmetto Wood Parkway (land for veterans park)
• Discussed contracting street cleaning services, and removal or disciplining council members.