Correction – The Williamston Town Council story published Sept. 13 in The Journal incorrectly stated the changes made in the Multi-Family Residential (MFR) zoning ordinance will prohibit transitional or supportive housing. The changes actually allows group, transition and supportive housing in MFR zoned areas. Transitional or supportive housing is excluded in a change made to the Office Commercial District zoning.
Here is the corrected story:
Williamston Town Council approves zoning changes
During their meeting Monday Williamston Town Council approved a zoning change related to a new business development and amended the zoning ordinance to include guidelines and restrictions for “care homes” or transitional and supportive housing and use of containers as storage buildings. Council also heard an update on several upcoming Envision Williamston projects.
During public comments, Pam Owens stated that potholes on Gray Drive and speeding are a problem.
Miriam Church and Ashely Gelder made a request to Council to allow a “Story Walk” project along Mineral Spring Trail in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park. Church said that the proposed project would include 16 covered display cases. Each case would have one or two pages of a story and after reading, participants would walk to the next display to continue through the whole story. Church said additional activities can be incorporated into the walk. Gelder said the project is connected to Anderson County Walkability which includes a committee that encourages walkability and assessment for project in towns in the county.
Mayor Rockey Burgess said that the Town has received a grant to extend Mineral Spring Trail into the Veterans Park and bids have been let for the project.
There was also discussion about walking to a local business and providing markings for a designated area for walking on Anderson Drive and Greenville Drive.
Police Chief Kevin Marsee recognized several people for their help with a recent back to school bookbag giveaway in which more than 450 bags were made available to local students. Marsee said the Community started coming together to help these kids out with the supplies they needed to go back to school.” He said they also expanded the list of items that were made available. Recognized were River Mullikin, Trent Acker of Duke Energy, Tina Terry, SRO Lee Mahaffey, Cindy Robertson (Trinity Baptist Church) and Roberta Hamby, Executive Director of Envision Williamston. EW Board Members who helped with the project were also recognized.
Support Book Bag Project
Williamston Police Chief Kevin Marsee presented plaques of appreciation to persons and organizations that helped with a recent back to school book bag giveaway sponsored by the Williamston Police Department. Pictured are front center River Mulliken. (Front row l-r) Cindy Robertson Trinity Baptist Church, Tina Terry, Roberta Hamby Envision Williamston Executive Director, Miriam Church EW Board, Officer Lee Mahaffey, Will Smythe EW Board. (Second row l-r): Chief Kevin Marsee, Trent Acker Duke Energy District Manager Government Relations, Gracie Harvell EW, Marion Williams EW Board. (Back row l-r): Councilman Tony Hagood, Councilman Lee Cole, Mayor Rockey Burgess, Councilman Chris Alexander.
Envision Williamston project update
Hamby updated Council on upcoming Envision Williamston projects. She said the EW Facade Program has reopened with approximately $2,000 available to a local business or businesses interested in improving their store front. Applications will be accepted until October 11. The program requires a 50/50 match of funds.
Hamby also requested Council to allow Mineral Spring Park to be leased for use for two upcoming events, Boo in the Park on October 21 and Winter Wonderland on November 26.
Council approved the request.
Hamby also requested use of the Municipal Center and outside areas including the courtyard and along Minor Street for Holiday Market vendors for the Winter Wonderland event. Council approved a motion to allow the mayor to coordinate with organizer Joy Zapada and Envision Williamston.
The Envision Williamston Breakfast and Blessing with local Pastors will be held in conjunction with the Williamston Police Department Faith and Blue on October 9 at Town Hall. Hamby requested use of the banquet room for the event.
Hamby said Envision Williamston would like to install four light poles around the dance floor area of the Amphitheater in Mineral Spring Park. The metal poles will be similar to those at the Pickleball Courts and will allow lighting to be strung around the dance floor area.
Envision Williamston will be selling ornament space on the Santa’s Workshop Christmas Tree in Town Hall during the holiday season. For $5 a custom decorated ornament can be displayed on the rotating tree. Ornaments are available at Town Hall.
Envision Williamston and Unity Mortuary were recognized for their support of the Mentor Program at Palmetto Middle School. Hamby presented certificates of appreciation to Councilman Tony Hagood representing Unity Mortuary and Envision Williamston. Hamby and other Board members represented Envision Williamston. Erika Bruce, who heads the program, was not able to attend.
Support Mentor Program
Volunteers who helped with the Palmetto Middle School Mentor Program were presented certificates of appreciation for their support of the program. Pictured (l-r) are: Williamston Police Chief Kevin Marsee, Councilman Tony Hagood (Unity Mortuary) Gracie Harvell, Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby, Miriam Church, Will Smythe. Back row (l-r) Marion Williams, Councilman Chris Alexander, SRO Lee Mahaffey.
There was no old business for Council.
Zoning Change approved
Under new business, Council approved a zoning change on five acres of property on Minor and College Street. The change from Institutional to Planned Development will allow developers of Big Creek Station to continue with their plan to develop the old water treatment plant.
Representing the development group, Developer Will Smythe said that the change in zoning will allow financing for the project and flexibility with parking.
“The rezoning will help line things up to get across the goal line”, Smythe said.
Smythe said that the goal is a place for families to get together for food and beverages and to tie it into downtown Williamston. He said it will include indoor and outdoor areas.
Partners General Contractor Ryan Gambrell and Architect Shea OBrian were also present. OBrian said they are “creating a destination zone that will be unique in all of Anderson County.” He said Big Creek Station will be similar to other projects the developers have been involved in located in Easley, Mauldin and Greenville.
Mayor Rockey Burgess added that the project also includes allowing the developers to invest in the historic depot in exchange for free rent/lease of the space. “We are not selling the depot or the depot property”, the mayor said. “We want to preserve it without investing tax dollars.”
“They all have experience,” Burgess said of the developers. “Destination is the key word. We have a lot of unique things in Williamston,” pointing out that Mineral Spring Park is one of the oldest public parks in the Country, the trails, and the mineral spring. “We are super blessed to have this and forward looking to make it truly a destination.”
Smythe said they have been involved in development of The Junction at the airport, Hampton Station in Greenville and Maverick Station in Mauldin. “There is good energy happening now,” he said. “We are very optimistic about it.”
Councilman Lee Cole said that he fully supported the project. “It will take a dilapidated building the town was responsible for and make it new along with the revitalization of the old depot to turn it into something usable.”
Council also approved first reading on five amendments to the zoning ordinance.
Attorney Rame Campbell said the changes were recommended by the Planning Commission.
The first amendment addresses Accessory Uses to “shore up what other communities are seeing with use of shipping containers for outside storage buildings in residential areas,” Campbell said.
The second and fourth amendment addresses transitional, supportive and group housing, With the changes Multi-Family Residential (MFR) zoning will allow transitional or supportive housing and exclude those uses in Office Commercial Zoned Districts.
The third amendment addresses definitions.
Councilman Cole asked if the changes would regulate transitional, supportive and group housing to certain areas. Campbell said it would restrict where those uses could be located and would also have to be approved by Planning Commission and Town Council.
Campbell said it also limits facilities to 40,000 sq. ft. and meeting required setbacks.
All five were approved by Council.
Mayor Burgess announced that with help from County Council Representative Cindy Wison, Williamston will receive $5,000 from Anderson County Parks and Recreation. He said the funding may be used for a sign for Brookdale Park and possibly other wayfinding signs.
Council also approved funding for Indigent Defense in the amount of $4,537.
