County Council addressing growth issues

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During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council recognized Crescent High School for being named the 2022 Palmetto Boat Center Tournament Trail High School of the Year.
They also recognized Anna Kay and Elizabeth Pamphilon for winning the 2022 TBF Hich School Fishing Work Finals Top Female Team.
Council heard a number of comments from residents opposed to a zoning change on property on Hurricane Road and Pine Lane in the Denver-Sandy Springs area. A Florida developer has requested that three large parcels of property be rezoned from Highway Commercial (C-2) to Innovative Zoning District (IZD).
The properties are two parcels including 35.16 acres and one with 19.1 acres. Most of the comments were safety and traffic concerns because the area already has heavy traffic and the roads and infrastructure are not designed for the growth the area is seeing. Several urged the council to respect the zoning put in place under the county’s zoning plan eighteen years ago.
A new proposed development for the properties could add an additional 700 vehicles to the congestion in the area.
After some discussion on the agenda items, Chairman Tommy Dunn said he would make a motion to move the zoning request forward on first reading, but wanted to meet with residents, along with County staff, to provide information and answer questions about the project. He said the county would do the right thing and indicated that the request would not make it through three readings.
The County Planning Commission had recommended the zoning request be denied.
Councilwoman Cindy Wilson said she was surprised to hear so many people in opposition to the request since notices had been mailed out and the property posted in June.
District One Councilman John B. Wright and District Four Councilman Brett Sanders both recused themselves from the vote on the first two properties due to Wright having an agent who listed the property and Sanders having an interest in the property. First reading on the rezoning was approved 5-0 with the two councilmen abstaining.
Councilman Sanders recused himself from the second vote due to the property which he has an interest in adjoining the second property. First reading on rezoning the second property was approved 6-0 with Sanders abstaining.
In other business, Council approved second reading on the transfer of several properties which were part of the Neighborhood Initiative Program in Belton and Honea Path.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance to recodify the Anderson County Codes with Municode. The updated included revisions through Dec. 2020 and is more user friendly according to County Attorney Leon Harmon.
Council approved first reading on a fee in lieu tax agreement on a property for “Project Fiddler”, which is an International company serving the vehicle industry including trucks, cars and boats. Economic Development Director Burriss Nelson said the company will bring a 44 million investment in tools and equipment to the County. The number of jobs it will bring has not been announced.
Council approved an agreement to enlarge a joint industrial and business Park for Anderson and Greenville Counties and also approved an ordinance to place the Project Fiddler property in the multi-county industrial park.
Council approved a resolution designation Upcountry Fiber, LLC as a preferred partner in providing broadband service in the County. According to Attorney Harmon, the resolution allows the company to apply for grants for rural areas not served by broadband.
Council approved a bid of $1,199,000 for renovations to the Parker Bowie Convenience Center.
Council gave approval to the administrator to explore a rental agreement with Cryptocurrency Mining Company for property on Hwy. 28 Bypass. The company is proposing paying the county $10,000 per month to use the property.