During their March 2 meeting Williamston Town Council approved a zoning change to allow hotels in the core commercial district, discussed a sidewalk project on Greenville Drive and terminated a contract with the company currently providing permitting and codes enforcement services for the Town.
During the citizens comments portion of the meeting, Williamston resident and property owner Janet Ford questioned how Councilman Tony Haygood could live in a different Ward than the one he represents. Hagood represents Council Ward 1 but stays at a house in Council Ward 4, (see seperate story).
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby updated Council events including Pastors Breakfast held Mar. 10, Junk in the Trunk Yard Sale on Mar. 21, First Concert in the Park on Apr. 4, Town Clean up Day on Apr. 18, Movie in the Park on May 22 and Sept. 12.
Hamby requested EW be allowed to place some type of seating in Mineral Spring Park near the amphitheater and playground, in an area where a monument was once located.
Ortiz State Farm Insurance Agency presented a $2,000 donation to Envision Wiliamston.
Council unanimously approved second reading on an ordinance to amend zoning in the Core Commercial (CC) District.
One change allows for Restaurants with or without drive-thru windows.
The second change under Conditional Uses allows for Hotels with a maximum height of four stories not including basement or underground parking.
Council unanimously approved second reading to amend an ordinance addressing nonconforming/unoccupied manufactured homes. In addition to other restrictions in the ordinance, the change states that a mobile home may not be changed to another nonconforming use, reused or reoccupied after discontinuance of use or occupancy for a period exceeding 180 days.
Council unanimously approved an updated Mutual Aid Agreement with West Pelzer. The agreement allows Williamston officers to respond to West Pelzer, and West Pelzer officers to respond to Williamston if requested.
Council unanimously approved first reading to amend the budget to reflect the purchase of a new sanitaton truck. Mayor Rockey Burgess said that Council had approved up to $300,000 for a new trash truck and that he was able to locate a new 2024 model 25 cubic yard trash truck in Florida, which the Town was able to purchase for $210,500.
The new truck has two tippers on the back and a drop third axle which can be used for additional weight when needed.
The vehicle replaces a garbage truck that was purchased from the Town of Honea Path in the fall and was totaled when it was involved with an accident involving a train in December.
The Town received an insurance settlement of $109,000 for the old truck, which is $9,000 more than the Town paid for it, the Mayor said.
Burgess also said that two smaller Town garbage trucks will be sold at auction. One of those is a 1992 model which was purchased new and is still running.
There was considerable discussion about a sidewalk project on Greenville Drive.
Mayor Burgess said that finding funding for the project is a challenge and there are other issues with SCDOT right-of-ways and other work that would be required to place sidewalks from Hamilton St. toward Burger King. There was also discussion about having the sidewalk placed on private property off the SCDOT right-of-way.
Council decided to have a SCDOT representative meet with them to discuss options and to explain what is or is not allowed and “to develop a plan of action”.
Burgess said a shared use path is a possibility, but additional explanation of what that is would need to be cleared up by SCDOT.
The Mayor said they will begin planning for the 2026-27 budget in April and will look at providing some funding then.
Council also discussed the issue of codes enforcement and possibly discontinueing the current contract with Codes Consulting and Inspection (CCI). CCI has provided permitting and building codes enforcement services for the Town for approximately one year. The primary state requirement for codes enforcement is to have a building code official.
Burgess said that he and other councilmembers have had lots of complaints about the way CCI handles permits and code enforcement, but added that “most is unfounded.”
Currently the Town receives 20 percent of the fees collected and pays CCI $75 per hour for their services.
There was discussion about Anderson County providing the service.
Council then went into executive session to discuss a contract matter.
Upon returning to open session, Council unanimously agreed to a resolution terminating the current contract with CCI.
