Florence City Council Implements Cemetery Development Moratorium

News Summary

The Florence City Council has introduced a temporary moratorium on developments near cemetery land to safeguard historic burial sites. This decision aims to halt final project approvals while comprehensive guidelines are created, with a focus on protecting Blackwell Cemetery. The moratorium will last for three months and addresses the need for cohesive development strategies that respect both heritage sites and future expansion needs in Florence.

Florence City Council Takes Action to Safeguard Cemeteries

Florence is making headlines this week as the City Council gears up to implement a temporary moratorium on developments that encroach upon cemetery land. This significant step aims to pause any final approvals for projects on or around these historic sites while the city takes a better look at their development guidelines. This initiative is prompted by the need to protect the rich history embedded in our cemeteries, specifically with Blackwell Cemetery, also known as Burch Cemetery, at the forefront.

What’s the Story Behind the Moratorium?

The idea behind the moratorium is to give the city three months to develop clearer and more comprehensive guidelines concerning cemetery areas. Assistant City Manager Clint Moore has noted that this will be a crucial time for the city to map out strategies that not only respect these old resting places but also accommodate the growth of Florence. The Blackwell Cemetery, dating back to the 18th century and housing nearly 20 graves, is nestled within a wooded area designated for the proposed Waverly Woods subdivision, which is looking to add 91 new homes.

Interestingly, when the Florence Planning Commission initially approved a sketch plan for the Waverly Woods subdivision back in September, there was no mention of this historic cemetery. Now, the city wants to prevent potential future conflicts that could arise between new developments and existing cemeteries. During this pause, the council is focusing on creating guidelines that not only protect these historic sites but also ease concerns among developers regarding legal issues.

Bridging Development and Preservation

As Florence continues its journey towards expansion, preserving the sanctity of its cemeteries is increasingly important. The moratorium will extend its reach to all cemeteries in Florence, whether they are historic or not. This way, the city is making a balanced approach to development, ensuring that the past is not bulldozed for the sake of progress.

It’s worth noting that existing state laws already prohibit the destruction of cemeteries and ensure access for descendants. However, Florence is taking it a step further by researching best practices implemented elsewhere for cemetery protection during development efforts. Aiming to strike a balance between honoring our heritage and facilitating growth, the city wants to safeguard both the cemeteries themselves and those planning development projects.

Community and Historical Value

The council has made it clear that preserving cemeteries is crucial as they serve as a link to community history. Blackwell Cemetery is particularly significant, as it’s believed to include graves of enslaved individuals, whose final resting places often lack proper markers. Given past projects where developers were aware of the cemetery but failed to integrate its protection into planning documents, the city recognizes the urgency of addressing this issue before history repeats itself.

Experts in history urge that comprehensive documentation is key to preventing the accidental destruction of these important sites. Community involvement plays a vital role in preserving this history; local stakeholders are encouraged to seek advice from historians and archaeologists when embarking on development initiatives.

Looking Ahead

As it stands, the City Council unanimously approved the moratorium on February 10, 2025, with a second reading on the agenda for March 10, 2025. Discussions with the Waverly Woods developer, Mark Lawhon, are ongoing, with construction yet to commence. With nearly 300 known cemeteries scattered throughout Florence County, many of which are located in various neighborhoods often overlooked during development processes, the stakes are high.

Florence’s proactive approach to balancing development with heritage preservation highlights the importance of maintaining a dialogue on how to honor our past while planning for the future. Only time will tell how the guidelines developed during this moratorium will shape the city moving forward.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: City Council Florence Protect Cemeteries
• Wikipedia: Cemetery
• Post and Courier: Florence Blackwell Burch Historic Cemetery Preservation
• Google Search: Florence cemetery preservation
• WBTW: Francis Marion University Working to Preserve Florence Slave Cemetery
• Google Scholar: Cemetery Preservation
• Star News Online: NC Historic Cemeteries Preservation
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Historic Cemeteries
• The Times: English Cemetery Florence Secrets
• Google News: Cemetery Development