During their meeting Tuesday, Pelzer Town Council heard an update on the PHC Mill property agreement with Anderson County and postponed first reading on a new ordinance establishing rules and regulations for placement of campers, RVs and motorhomes.
Council also heard a request from two business owners to have their properies de-annexed from the Town of Pelzer.
Anderson County Deputy Administrator Matt Hogan told Council that the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) property is “a great project.”
According to Hogan, paper work transferring the property to Anderson County has gone through and the first phase of marketing the lower mill property will begin soon. “We are excited about it,” he said.
Hogan said the lower site “is totally clean” and trees and other debris are being removed this week in preparation of marketing the property to developers.
The second phase taking photos of the property and actual marketing and a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be put out to developers.
Hogan said information about development of the property will be based on a Master Plan done by the Town and the Pelzer Heritage Commission in 2021. The Master Plan had community input and it may need to be brought up to date, he said.
Any proposals the County receives regarding development of the property will be brought back to the PHC and the community before deciding “which proposal fits best.”
Hogan said potential development will include greenspace, mixed use and restaurants.
“It is really a nice project.”
Anderson County and PHC will decide who to award the development project to and “hopefully we will get something moving,” Hogan said.
The mill property includes two main properties, the lower mill and the upper mill and there is a total of fourteen properties.
Hogan said an inspection of the old office building found that the structure is usable and the County will be in the process of trying to find grant money to help with renovation. The roof and second floor have fallen in and RFPs will be put out soon for repairs.
Hogan said future updates on the Pelzer Site Project will come from the County.
PHC spokesperson Larry Coker said the Heritage Commission “is ready to get rolling” and will get input from the community.
Council approved first reading on an ordinance regarding minimum area for lots and setback requirements.
Minimum lot size for new R-1, R2/R3 Single Family and Duplex lots is 18,760 sq. ft. Setbacks are 20 ft. on the front and rear and 30 ft. on the side. Accessory setbacks are 5 ft. on the side and rear.
Existing lot area and setbacks prior to the zoning ordinance will remain.
Existing R2/R3 Single Family and Duplex minimum lot size recorded prior to the zoning ordinance will not change. This includes manufactured homes, duplexs and townhouses.
New commercial lots must be 10,000 sq ft.
Minimum lot size for new manufactured homes (subdivision) is 10,000 sq ft.
Council tabled first reading on an ordinance addressing rules and regulations for placement of campers, RVs and motorhomes to get additional information.
Two business owners that have operated in the area for a long time are asking the town to allow them to de-annex from the Town of Pelzer.
Ricky Heatherly of H&H Automotive and Towing and Tony Jeanes of Bill’s Tire Center both cited having to pay a business license fee and not receiving any services from the town as reasons they want out.
Representing the business owners, Attorney David Clark told Council that both were thriving businesses that were absorbed into Pelzer when the town expanded the town limits through annexation several years ago. “They are receiving nothing from the Town of Pelzer, Clark said. “No sewer, no water, garbage, lights, no police and no fire department.”
Clark pointed out that the Town is paying the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office $58,500 for fifteen percent coverage for police protection
Clark said there are procedures to be de-annexed. “I hope the Town will be reasonable. They want to go peacefully with no harm to anyone.”
Clark asked the town to consider “the character of my clients who have supported charity through the years and the town is not providing them with anything.”
“Hopefully you all will take the logical, reasonable route and let them go.”
Tony Jeanes said his family business on Hwy. 20 has been at the current location since July 1997. “It is hard to make it in a small town,” he said. “You do everything you can to be legal” but said it is unfair to not be in the town and receive any services.
Ricky Heatherly said he has operated his business on Courtney St. since 1990. He said he was told the annexation would not affect him one bit. “I don’t get anything,” he said. He cited several visits from Anderson County code enforcement since the annexation.
Council appointed Mary Syverson and Chase Smithwick to the Pelzer Planning Commission.
