During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council approved first reading on an expansion of the County Library Board, heard a soil and water presentation and approved funding for a new community organization in Piedmont.
The new organization, the Piedmont Community Alliance, is in the process of applying for their 501C3 status as a non-profit and members are already working with Greenville County Long Range Planning, in collaboration with Anderson County, in developing an area plan for the Piedmont community.
Sarah Lyons presented information about the Alliance. “We are a community organization committed to advocating for the conservation of our natural resources, preserving street trees, promoting bike lanes, and enhancing walkability,” Lyons said. “We believe that sustainable and controlled growth are essential for our community to thrive economically while preserving our unique identity and abundance of natural resources.”
“Our vision is to create a vibrant, livable community where every member can enjoy the benefits of progress without compromising our cherished natural assets, and we are dedicated to using available resources to advocate for responsible land use.”
The Piedmont Community Alliance will be working with Anderson and Greenville County officials to establish an area plan document which will serve as a guide to Anderson and Greenville County councils, boards, and commissions when making decisions affecting the Piedmont community.
Several input meetings are planned for June. The organization was requesting funding to help with expenses associated with becoming a 501C3 non-profit.
Three people expressed concerns about an expansion of the County library board. All three urged council to not allow politics to affect public libraries in the county.
The Anderson County library board of trustees currently consists of seven members, one from each council district, and County Council plans to increase the number to nine by adding two at-large members.
During the meeting, Council unanimously approved first reading on an ordinance to allow two additional at-large members to be appointed by the county council.
Chairman Tommy Dunn said the ordinance will have two more readings and the applicaton process will be open to the public. “The full Council will vote on it,” he said.
Dunn said the Library Board is supposed to run the libraries, Council appoints the trustees who serve a term of four years.
Council also heard a presentation from the Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District. Education and Outreach Coordinator Anaston Porter said their mission is to conserve and protect natural resources and to provide education to the public to encourage good stewardship of the environment.
The Anderson Soil & Water Conservaton District is a subdivison of the state government charged with meeting fundamental land, water and related natural resource problems at the local level.
Porter said with County funding, the organization has been able to increase adult education and outreach programs at local schools and community events throughout the County.
Porter said there have been more than 2000 participants in the program, with 28 new certified volunteers. Thirteen public schools have been provided with 116 hours of programming. There have been 45 education programs and outreach events, and 8 k-12 education contests, mini-grants and scholarships.
Brian Stoddard, District Conservationist with USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) also presented information about the economic impact his office and the Soil and Water Conservation District have had over five years. Salary and benefits for three staff memebers, office space rent/utilities and vehicle gas and maintenenace amounted to over 1.5 million. Conservation progrram expenditures including Environmental Quality Incentive, Conservation Stewardship, Agriculture Conservation Easements and Watershed Structure Assessments have amounted to $16,459,384, Stoddard said.
According to Stoddard, there are currently $2.7 million in unfunded requests for conservation projects in Anderson County. “The needs are great and we are very busy,” Stoddard said. “I think we have had an impact on the community.” Stoddard requested Council consider an increase in budget funding for the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Council approved second reading to rezone 1.5 acres in the Three and Twenty area from residential agricultural to rural commercial district.
Council approved second reading on a fee in lieu of tax agreement for “Project Turkey” located at 1630 Easley Highway.
Council approved second reading to enlarge the 2010 joint county industrial park of Anderson and Greenville Counties to include “Project Turkey”.
The project includes an existing building and a new 200,000 sq. ft. building requiring the park expansion. Also an investment of $36,300,000 and 200 more jobs related to the new building.
Councilman John Wright recused himself from both votes due to a member of his firm involved with the project.
Council approved first reading on expansion of the 2010 industrial park for “Project Colorful”. The project is for APG Colors and Additives, LLC and Green Lantern LLC in Cheddar. The project includes 24 jobs with average pay of $28/hr. Councilwoman Cindy Wilson said, “I am glad to see the county encourage good development in our communities.”
Council approved first reading on an expansion of the 2010 Joint Industrial Park for “Project Highway 81” to include 41.6 acres of the FedEx Ground Package System Project Property.
Council approved hiring a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) for oversight of the new detention facility construction.
Following an executive session for legal advice, Council unanimouosly approved an application for assessment of property in Council District 3 to be classified as agricultural.
Councilman Greg Elgin said the owners of the farm, which was purchased in 2021, are from Burma and that their tax bill on the property did not have the it listed as agriculture. They were appealing the classification and showed reasonable cause for the change.
Council approved the following funding requests for the Anderson Junior League and Piedmont Community Alliance (PCA).
John Wright District 1 – $500 Junior League, $500 PCA;
Greg Elgin District 3 – $250 Junior League, $250 PCA;
Glenn Davis District 2 – $500 Junior League, $500 PCA;
Brett Sanders District 4 – $500 Junior League, $500 PCA;
Tommy Dunn District 5 – $500 Junior League, $500 PCA;
Jimmy Davis District 6 – $250 Junior League, $2000 PCA, $1000 for Disc Golf Course improvements at Dolly Cooper Park.
