Alternative financial services considered again

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September 16, 2012

Alternative financial services considered again

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Sun Sep 16, 2012, 10:30 PM CDT

GREENVILLE — City officials may decide to take another look at where alternative financial services (AFS) can locate in Greenville.

Mayor Steve Reid has asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the ordinance which limited businesses including payday loan companies and bail bond services to certain areas of town.

The Commission is scheduled to hear from Reid during Monday’s regular session, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street.

In 2010, in response to the proliferation of the businesses along the Wesley Street general retail corridor, the Commission recommended a 1,000 foot separation requirement for AFS businesses, allowing them by right in general retail, highway retail, commercial, and industrial.

The City Council modified the Commission’s recommendation and removed general and high retail from the list of zoning districts allowed, also eliminating nonconforming AFS businessesnewa new Certificate of Occupancy was requested.

In early 2011, the Commission and Council enacted an ordinance regulating alternative personal services such as tattoo parlors and fortune tellers. At that time, the Commission recommended that alternative financial service businesses be required to obtain Conditional Use Permits rather than allowing them by right.

In January, the Council turned down a request by a loan company which was seeking a change in zoning for the building which once housed the former Braum’s store.

William C. Pruett had asked for a change in zoning from general retail for the building at 4206 Wesley Street, which is where he wanted to open Greenville Cash Express, listed under city ordinances as an alternative financial service. Pruett said there appeared to be a bias among city leaders against his business and similar operations.

At the time, City Planner Lance Estep said he did not recommend the change because the zone change would violate the existing city ordinance and if approved could be considered spot zoning.

Reid is asking that more flexibility be allowed in the ordinance, to allow the Commission and Council to review the businesses on a case by base basis in the general retail zoning district.