By Stan Welch
Pelzer Town Council, by a split vote, authorized Mayor Will Ragland to execute documents to advance the purchase of the 90 acre ‘lagoon property’ by a developer who plans to construct housing on the site.
Councilman Eddie Waites asked several questions about the proposed project, establishing the facts that the property had been logged by the buyer; that the buyer agreed contractually to construct housing in compliance with accepted American architecture as it occurred between 1850 and 1930m thereby preserving the character of the town with no mobile homes permitted; and that the developer had thirty six months from the date that the property was shorn of its designation as a park to close on the property.
The documents Ragland sought authority to sign gave additional protection to the town against any possible sale of the property to a third party. The vote was 3-2, with Waites and Councilman Mike Matthews opposing.
In an otherwise brief agenda, the Council announced that the Christmas Market event will be an outdoor activity, using the parking lot of the gymnasium. A Meet the Candidates event will also take place next Tuesday night, ahead of the municipal elections for town council in November.
