During their July 11 meeting Williamston Town Council heard an update from Envision Williamston, approved first reading on a driving ordinance and rezoning of 149 properties within the town.
The rezoning is the second large batch rezoning for the town in recent months and reflects an update of the town’s zoning map to better match adjoining properties and prepare for managed growth.
The zoning changes were recommended by the Town’s Planning Commission.
The first batch changes the zoning of 83 properties from R-3 Single Family & Duplex Residential to R-2 Single Family Residential. R2 Zoning has a lot size of 15,000 sq. ft. According to Debbie Chapman, the town’s infrastructure would not support the prior zoning and the change better reflects what is more common in that area. The area includes properties on South Green St., Mill St., Knight St and South Hamilton.
The second batch of properties includes 56 properties from Wilson Street to Roberts Blvd. The properties are currenty zoned MFR and are being rezoned to R-7, 7000 sq. ft.
Ten properties currently zoned MFR Multifamily residential are being changes to Institutional
A public hearing and second reading on the zoning changes is scheduled for the August 1 meeting of Town Council.
Changes to the General Manner of Driving Ordinance will reduce the current fine for violations in the municipality from $1087, which is the what it is under state law, to $100 plus court costs. Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess said the current fine of $1087 is “steep” and that the original ordinance, which has been in effect for some time, did not specify a fine amount so the fine as provided by state law was the fallback.??
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby reported that the Bobber on big Creek Race and Freedom Games were well received and had great prizes.
Hamby said the deadline for applications for the EW Facade Grant program is July 15.
EW will sponsor a community yard sale, Junk in the Trunk on August 13, and the program is encouraging food trucks to come to the town on Thursdays.
EW will join with the Williamston Police Department on two upcoming projects, including the Back to School BackPack Drive and National Night Out. National Night Out will be held on August 19.
EW is also still taking applications for groups, churches or businesses to Adopt a Shelter in Mineral Spring Park. Sponsors will receive recognition for their efforts to help keep specific shelters in good condition.
EW is also planning a Pastors Breakfast in early August, she said.
Hamby announced that the a portion of the recent State Farm Community Grant will be used to sponsor concerts in the park with details to be announced soon.
EW and the Town are also planning to replace banners along Main Street.
Mayor Burgess announced that the Town of Williamston has been approved for two large grants to help with sewer improvements in the Mill Village area of the town. The Town will receive a $440,000 grant from SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) and a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant from Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG). The town will match on the grants will be $300,000.
Old lines that have been in use since the 1930s will be replaced with the funding.
