Members of the Equine Committee unanimously agreed Tuesday to recommend to City Council that the zoning ordinance be changed to say that manure containers must be placed 15 feet from the right-of-way and 25 feet away from property lines.

The current ordinance reads, "The premises must be maintained by keeping manure piles in covered containers at least 50 feet away from any dwelling or any pool, patio or other recreational structure or an adjoining lot and at least 25 feet from any property lines."

Assistant City Manager Richard Pearce said the committee has been meeting about the issue for several months.

The matter came up for discussion after a resident made a complaint to City officials about the vicinity of a neighbor's manure container from the street. After investigating the complaint, City officials learned that the ordinance was not being adhered to.

The zoning ordinance also requires property owners to have manure removed from paddocks and stables at least twice a week to prevent the accumulation of flies and odors. All manure containers are required to be emptied at least once a week.

In considering the change, the committee looked at setback codes for animal waste in other areas such as Lexington County, Beaufort, Florence, Rock Hill and Camden.

Existing properties would not be affected by the proposal; only new properties located in the horse district and the residential stable zone would be affected.

If Council votes to approved the ordinance, the committee is recommending that they a allow a 90-day period before the ordinance is enforced.

The committee initially talked about changing the ordinance for existing properties, as well; however, several members of the committee expressed concerns of what that would do to the equestrian atmosphere in the area.

Members decided to work to become stricter as a committee on the cleanliness and orderliness of the containers as a way to handle the problem in the future.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.