During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved rezoning of four properties and heard an update on upcoming events.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby announced winners of the Scarecrow Decorating Contest and presented plaques.
Winners included: Best Business – Christina Ortiz State Farm Agent; best Individual – Micah Williams and Best Organization – Historic Williamston Homeschool Art Club, directed by Thomas Addison. Eighteen members of the art club participated in their display.
Hamby said attendance estimates for Boo in the Park were approximately 4000 people. She said 650 smores and 150 marshmallows were given out in addition to a lot of candy. Local businesses, churches and organizations participated in the Trunk or Treat candy giveaway. The event included a costume contest. (Winners were recently pictured in The Journal)
Hamby previewed the upcoming Winter Wonderland Event which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 30 in downtown Williamston. The event will include opening of Deck the Halls, Lighting of the Christmas Park and Town Tree. Other activities planned are two trains for kids, carriage rides sponsored by Christina Ortiz State Farm, a 30 ft. Snowman Bounce, an inflatable Snow Slide, free pictures for families, a vendor market and more.
There will also be a “Snow Shed” which will feature 2400 snow balls available for a fun “snow ball fight”, Hamby said.
Hamby said shelter sponsors are being contacted to encourage decorating their “adopted shelters”.
The Christmas Market will begin at 2 p.m. The Williamston Christmas Parade will begin at 5 p.m. Judging for the parade will be in front of the Fire Department this year.
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, to be announced during the opening night program. Councilman Chris Alexander is accepting nominations for the award.
The “Williamston Goes Griswald” decorating contest will begin Nov. 7. Additional details on the event will be announced.
In the business portion of the meeting, Carolann Newton was named to the Williamston Election Commission. Hope Roberts McClain was named a member of the Planning Commission.
Mayor Rockey Burgess said the Town is requesting a PARD grant to help with electrical upgrades in Mineral Spring Park. Burgess said approximately half of the old outlets on 4×4 posts are currently not working and need to be replaced. He said the Town plans to replace them with pedestal stands, similar to those in the “food truck” area of the park, which are more durable. The $20,000 grant will require a $5,000 match by the Town, he said. Council unanimouisly approved a resolution in support of applying for the PARD grant, which goes through the Anderson County Legislative Delegation.
Council unanimously approved first reading on an ordinance to rezone property on Mattison St. from Single Family Residential (R7) to Residential Commercial (RC). The 2.1 acres is identified as TMS No: 244-03-03-021.
Council unanimously approved first reading to rezone property at 620 Greenville Drive from Residential/Commercial (RC) to Office/Commercial (OC). The property owned by Paul Cothran has served as a car lot and other uses in the past and was grandfathered in for conditional use as a car lot. Due to changes, the grandfather clause came off. Cothran requested the zoning change to allow conditional use as a car lot, which now is only available as conditional use in the OC zoning. Mayor Burgess said the Town Planning Commission denied the proposed change, but due to the circumstances, he did not see the zoning change as causing a problem at present and could be changed for the property to be used in the future for something bigger and better.
Councilman Tony Hagood asked that the property owner respect the Church located across the street as to any use the property may have. Cothran agreed and said it would only be used as a car sales lot. The property is .29 acres and identified as TMS No: 244-02-06-032.
Council unanimously approved rezoning approximately 4.22 acres on Belton Drive from Institutional (INS) to Single Family Residential District (R-7). The property is being sold by Trinity Baptist Church and is being considered for purchase by a developer for residential homes.
Council unanimously approved rezoning 12.22 acres on Whilden Drive from Residential District (R-2) to Single Family Residential (R-2) The property is identified as TMS 244-01-05-004.
Councilman Lee Cole said that he was in favor though the requested property size is smaller than surrounding properties, but it will not clash with the use and nature of that community. Cole said “We want planned residential development. Planned is good”. “Businesses look at homes/rooftops in a certain square mileage. More residential means more potential. We want to get rid of abandoned and empty buildings on Greenville and Anderson Drive.”
Mayor Burgess updated Council on replacing the bridge at the Veterans Park. He said FEMA wants the pilings replaced with an Eco Pile concrete form and only one company, located in Charleston, does that. He also added that he expects that option to be expensive. He will be talking with a state representative about the bridge piling replacement.
Burgess also updated Council on the ongoing paving project in Williamston. The project has created traffic issues and difficulty in accessing businesses on East and West Main Street. Burgess said the paving project is a three step process and may not be finished before the weather temperature gets too cold for paving. The process includes fixing divots (potholes), putting on a binder and paving with final lines.
Council then went into executive session regarding an “economic development” issue.
