During their July 16 meeting, Anderson County Council approved several property rezonings and made a major change to a transportation sales and use tax which will go to a referendum later this year.
The issue of a one percent sales and use tax will be voted on as a referendum question and will be on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election. If approved by voters, the one percent transportation sales and use tax, will be used for improvements to roads and bridges in the County. The change exempts groceries from the county-wide sales tax.
Councilwoman Cindy Wilson stated that the change takes unprepared food items off of taxable items and citizens can vote yes or no in November. “We have serious problems with the roads,” she said. “We will honor what our citizens decide.”
During the public comments, Council heard from several residents who urged them to vote no on subdivision rezoning property in Townville on Hattens Ford Road.
Several residents opposed to the one percent sales tax for roads and bridges also spoke during public comments.
Lee Gilreath, who recently won the republican primary race for House District 7, said that with inflation and high prices already affecting people, “now is not the time” to put another tax on them.
Johnny Harvin of Connect Powdersville had a video presentation on the recent Rhythm on the River festival and thanked County Council, County employees and staff for their help in making that event, and the Saluda River Run, a success.
District 6 Councilman Jimmy Davis thanked Harvin for “All you have done.”
There was some discussion about development issues including reducing the number of lots for summary plats to four and requiring one acre lots; requiring stormwater basin consideration for areas with flood issue; topography considerations for grading lots and allowing minor subdivisions with up to four lots to have a common private drive.
Councilwoman Wilson said officials have been looking at the issues and how they affect the quality of development, for about three years. Mass grading, mud and step down slabs have been a problem with several developments, she said. Most of the developments that are causing concerns are not by local people, but out of state developers, she said.
Council approved third reading on a fee in lieu of tax agreement for Eastern Engineered Wood Products, Inc. (Project Palmetto II). The company is locating at the former Milliken site in Belton and according to Economic Development director Burriss Nelson, will provide 25 new jobs at an average hourly pay of $28.50 per hour. Annual payroll is expected to be approximately $1.3 million.
One person spoke during the public hearing on the issue stating that companies receiving the 30 year fee in lieu of tax incentives “don’t need it.”
Nelson responded stating that the companies being recruited to Anderson County have higher pay scales/wages and are being recruited to locate in communities, like Belton, “that have lost jobs in the last twenty years.”
District 3 Councilman Greg Elgin said there are no industries left in that part of the county and the new businesses bring competitive wages to workers in the area.
Council also approved expansion of the joint county industrial and business park (2010) of Anderson and Greenville Counties to include “Project Palmetto II”.
Council approved a lease of property from Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church for use as a public park.
Council approved second reading on an ordinance to rezone 18.38 acres at 2410 Highway 81 N from Highway Commercial (C-2) to Highway Commercial (C-2) and Multifamily Residential (R-M). During discussions, Councilmember Wilson said the front of the property will remain Highway Commercial and the back is being rezoned to allow for 136 housing units.
One person opposing the change spoke during the public hearing. A person involved in the development said the owner of the property and the developer would meet with residents who had concerns about the rezoning.
Wilson said the property is located between the (Ingles) grocery store and (T. L Hanna) high school. She expressed concerns about the area already having a heavy traffic count and water runoff from the property.
Wilson abstained from the vote.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance to sell property to Habitat for Humanity. According to County attorney Jordan Thayer, the agreement provides that Habitat will use the property for 30 years and will allow them to make improvements.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance to transfer property to Duke Energy for an easement to provide power.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance to rezone 4.72 acres in the Hattons Ford Road precinct from residential agricultural (R-A0 to Single Family Residential (R-20). The property is located on the lake.
Council approved a resolution to cease county maintenance and consent to judicial abandonment of a portion of Bridges Dr. Councilman Jimmy Davis said “a family with adjacent property will maintain the road.”
Council approved the donation of a Chevrolet 1500 Surburban to Love Well Ministries.
Council also received legal advice in executive session regarding Opioid Litigation.
