During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council approved an agreement with the Pelzer Heritage Commission regarding development of the former Pelzer Mill property and with AnMed Health for an EMS and Sheriff’s office at their new Piedmont Campus.
Council unanimously approved a resolution for a memorandum of understanding agreement with the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) regarding development of the former Pelzer Mill property.
Administrator Rusty Burns said under the agreement, the County will take possession of the property and PHC will remain in an advisory position. “It is a valuable property,” Burns said. “Everything is heading in that direction, from both directions.”
“We plan to have professionals come in to do a master plan for the property and to have citizen input on what they would like to see it used for.”
Burns said the Town of Pelzer also has valuable property and he has talked with Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland about development in Pelzer. “We want to do it all in one fell swoop.”
According to Burns, the County will help develop a complete master plan for Pelzer with input from citizens, which will be “from the bottom up, not top down.”
District 7 Councilmember Cindy Wilson thanked Burns, County Attorney Leon Harmon and Steve Newton for working with the Pelzer Heritage Commission on the project. Wilson said that when Gerber left Pelzer, it was devastating for the town. “It is a wonderful opportunity for Pelzer to evolve into a vibrant community again.”
County Council also approved a lease agreement with AnMed Health for a building to be located on the new AnMed Health Piedmont Campus currently being built. The building will accommodate a County Area Office for Emergency Medical Services and a Sheriff’s Office substation. Administrator Burns said the site will allow Anderson County paramedics and the sheriff’s office service to have a stronger presence in the area.” District 6 Councilman Jimmy Davis said he is excited about the new facility and “being able to get emergency responders a better presence up there.” Councilwoman Wilson said, “It is a wonderful addition given all the accidents in that area. It will really cut down on response time.”
In other actions, Council approved a proclamation designating February as Black History Month in Anderson County.
Council approved third reading on an ordinance authorizing a fee in lieu of tax and special source credit agreement with JTB Development, LLC for “Project Vista”. Economic Development Head Burriss Nelson said the business will invest $6.2 million for a spec building on Hampton Road. Councilmember Wilson thanked Nelson and staff for working with her and JTB and on landscaping and buffers for the new building.
Council also approved an ordinance to amend a Joint County Industrial and Business Park agreement with Greenville County to enlarge the Park to include “Project Vista”. Nelson said the ordinance allows JTB to access state incentives applicable to a manufacturer that locates in the building.
Council approved an ordinance to restrict use of the former Riverside Mill site located on South Gossett Street and Minor Street in Anderson. County Attorney Harmon said the restrictions address groundwater and certain development that cannot be located on the property. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Council approved second reading on an ordinance to lease property at 313 South Towers Street to Love Well Ministries. County Administrator Rusty Burns said the property is a county owned building and will be shared by the Ministry and another entity and will be used as a women’s shelter.
Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance on 16.77 acres located in the Hopewell precinct. The property will be rezoned from Industrial District (1-2) to R-10 (Single Family Residential). The parcels are identified as TMS #144-00-05-013 and TMS #144-00-05-014. District 7 Councilmember Cindy Wilson expressed concerns with an unpermitted landuse by a business that operated at the site. The business was burning trees and other landscaping related items. Wilson abstained from the vote.
Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of 175.96 acres located in the Hopewell precinct from Single Family Residential (R-20) to R-A2 (Residential Agriculture (2 acre minimum) and R-12 (Single Family Residential). The property is identified as TMS#144-00-03-001. District 4 Councilman Brett Sanders said he would support second reading on the item but wanted to address issues and concerns from residents and get more information prior to third reading. Councilmember Wilson said the developer had a project which she said “was a nightmare in my district” regarding flooding and other issues. County Planner Alesia Hunter said there will be another public hearing on the zoning change. The vote was 6-1 with Wilson opposed.
District 7 Councilwoman Wilson has scheduled two planning meetings for residents of her district.
There will be a discussion and input on comprehensive planning at 6:30 pm, Feb. 25 at Friendship Fire Department in Honea Path.
Also there will be community engagement and discussion of the US Hwy. 29 Corridor Plan at a meeting to be held at 6:30 pm, Apr. 22 at Whitefield Baptist Church.
