Anderson County Council recently recognized Larry Joe Coker of Pelzer for his involvement in efforts to renew pride and revitalize the Town of Pelzer.
Coker was born and raised in the old Pelzer mill village and has remained committed to the Town of Pelzer and the wider community his entire life.
Coker co-founded the Pelzer Heritage Commission, which has taken on myriad projects to preserve, beautify, and revitalize the Town of Pelzer, renewing community pride while respecting the area’s textile heritage, including clean-up of the old Pelzer Mill office building, restoration of the Lower Mill flagpole, preservation of the Town’s historic cemeteries, and the establishment of Overlook Park on the Saluda River.
According to the resolution honoring Coker, he has changed the course of Pelzer history through forging the Pelzer Heritage Commission’s partnership with Anderson County to purchase, clean up, and reuse the Upper and Lower Mill sites, a complex, significant endeavor decades in the making that would have never occurred without Mr. Coker’s clear-eyed determination and vision.
The resolution states that the Anderson County Council hereby honors and recognizes Mr. Coker’s extraordinary lifetime of dedicated service to our community and, on behalf of the citizens of Anderson County, expresses its sincere, heartfelt gratitude.
Council also recognized Dr. Jimmy Smith of Honea Path.
Dr. Smith is a physician and fire chief and tended to the health of many generations of Honea Path area residents as a physician at AnMed Primary Care-Honea Path and as a firefighter.
He recently announced his retirement from his medical practice after forty-two years and will continue his service as Honea Path Fire Chief.
Council also recognized October as National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrating the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans who have enriched the culture and society and helped make America into the incredible country it is today.
During the meeting last Tuesday, Council approved third reading on an ordinance to donate a section of rail-road right-of-way on Duckhead Drive to the Pickens Railway Company.
Council approved second reading to amend a section of the Human Relations Council ordinance.
Council approved second reading to rezone 2 acres in Pendleton from Highway Commercial (C-s) to Innovative Zoning District (IZD).
Council approved a change to require the land use administrator to present a report to the Planning Commission regarding utility availability to proposed developments.
Council approved first reading on amendments to the stormwater design manual to increase the fee for reinspection of projects following a notice to comply. The compliance inspection fee of $250 will now be $500 for each inspection.
Council approved a transfer of fee in lieu of taxes agreement for Electrolux Home Products Inc, F/K/A White Consolidated Industries, Inc., Inter Alia Frigidaire Home Products to Electrolux Consumer Products.
Council reviewed and approved requests for Accommodations Tax (ATAX) funding from Anderson County for fiscal year 2024-2025. Total ATAX Funds Requested: $716,675 ($699,796 last year). Total ATAX Funds Available amounted to $357,066.36 ($370,299.48 last year).
