Last week’s Sanford City Commission meeting included discussions of a variety of city improvements, community events, and budget adjust ments with an agenda covering special event permits, infra structure projects and more.
The commission approved two items from the consent agenda relating to Hurricane Milton damage, including the repair of a damaged sewer pipe and rehabilitation of the Cypress Avenue Lift Station which failed during the hurri cane. The lift stations are cru cial for moving wastewater from a lower to a higher level, aiding in proper flow of the sewer system.
The commission also ap proved $155,897.60 procure ment with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for new police department equipment, including virtual reality training tools, body cameras, and tasers.
Many special event permits were approved, including one for “Golf Cart Registration Round-Up” on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Sanford Senior Center. This event will allow residents to have their golf cart undergo an initial Physical Safety In spection and Annual Registra tion or renew their Annual Golf Cart Registration for 2025.
A special event permit was approved for “Alive After Five: Something For the Soul” on Thursday, Feb. 13 at Magnolia Square. This event will cele brate “the roots and rhythms of African Americans through soul food and music… facilitat ing the strategic priority listed as ‘promoting the City’s dis tinct culture in the ‘Imagine Sanford’ strategic plan ap proved by the city commis sion,” according to city staff. A permit was also approved for the “Sanford Festival of Color” on Saturday, March 8 at the Sanford Civic Center green space. The event will feature chalk and liquid colors, in spired by one of India’s biggest festivals, the Hindu festival of Holi. This is another event fo cused on promoting the di verse culture of Sanford.
The commission moved on to public hearings and approved three ordinances that repeal previous ordinances related to the waterfront property in order to protect and clear up any issues, making sure that the site can have future use and develop ment. The primary goal of this is to make sure Sanford’s ownership of the property is secured.
The rezoning of 6.9 acres at SR 46 and Meisch Road to develop 124 apartments and 8,700 square feet of commercial space was approved although Commissioner Thomas expressed concerns about increas ing development, the original intent of the site and the development impact on Sanford.
After further detail from city staff the commission approved the denial of an appeal relating to a site on Sanford Avenue that was approved for conditional use in 1995 for auto dealer sales with parking restrictions. In 2011 the allowed operations were expanded on the condition that an engineering and modification plan be sub mitted by the owner, which city staff stated never happened.
Other items included approval of a con tract with Arminius Consultant for engi neering for improvements at the North Water Reclamation Facility, with a total cost of $6.6 million, with 50% of which will be funded by the state. The commission approved an impact fee deferral for the development at 218 Palmetto Avenue, allowing the fees totaling $128,000 to be paid after the project is complete and the Certificate of Occupancy is granted. An additional $150,000 was approved for site work for the placement of a modular build ing at the Westside Community Center for Goldsboro Front Porch. These funds will cover engineering drawings for electrical, plumbing and site work.
