Jim Fair
James Road property owners suggest this blind curve, intersecting at Wilson Road, is often ignored by aggressive drivers.
Jim Fair
This hilly road invites some drivers on James Road to have a thrill ride barrelling down the hill and then up toward the blind curve, said property owners at last week's Planning Commission meeting.
Jim Fair
City Council was asked last year to enforce parking on the wrong side of the downtown business district streets. It appears that is a developing problem, such as this example on Trade Street last week.
Jim Fair
School Street is not immune to drivers parking on the wrong side of the road. On one day last week, in the late afternoon, drivers parked opposite the traffic on Trade, Victoria and School streets.
City Council unanimously approved annexation of the James Road property tonight following the recommendation of the City Planning Commission for a less dense, (R-12, residential, single family cluster) zoning.
Round 2 of James Road property owners vs. City Hall continues at 6:30 p.m.
City Council is expected to annex property on James Road into the city and approve rezoning to R-12 (residential, single family cluster). Council unanimously approved the first reading Feb. 12 (for R-10 rezoning) and second and final reading is today. See tonight's agenda here. The public is invited to speak on issues or concerns.
A handful of residents on James Road appeared before the Planning Commission last week to ask the commissioners to recommend denial of the annexation and rezoning. Although sympathetic, commissioners unanimously approved the measure 5-0 (two commissioners were absent) and zoning as R-10.
At issue is property owners’ objection of Westminster Properties building 25 homes on 7.3 acres of land in an area with a narrow road that has a blind spot around one curve and steep hills that entice some drivers to frequently ignore the speed limit. The only outlet is Brushy Creek Road.
City-owned property, 1.2 acres at its recycling center at 315 Buncombe Street, would be zoned as S-1 (service district). The remaining acreage is recommend R-12 for less density, thus four fewer houses (21) than Westminister Properties proposed.
Juha Parkkohen, representing Westminister Properties, said homes would be $225,000 - $250,000, two-story, Charleston-style homes with porches. No square footage was reported.
Phillip Kuhlke (220 James Road) said the narrow county road, blind spot and two cars per house built would add to the busy road that is accessed only by Brushy Creek Road.
Gene Fowler (211 James Road) said the road is dangerous with its “great” elevation and drop, traffic, and narrow asphalt forcing some vehicles to move to their respective shoulders to pass.
Approval by council will send Parkkohen and Westminister Properties back to the planning commission for another round of procedures. Council will determine whether James Road residents, now city residents, were convincing enough to deny the project.
Council is likely to annex the property to add it on the tax payroll.
This and that:
• Amnesty Day is Saturday, April 28 at the Recycling Center at 315 Buncombe Street. City residents may bring items that are not normally picked up at curbside.
• Flora Jones was approved (nominated by Wryley Bettis, seconded by Judy Albert) to The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Martha King LaFoy resigned in November 2012. Her term expires Oct. 31, 2016.
• Riverdale subdivision streets accepted into the city are Hawksberry Drive, Steamcut Drive, Halfrock Circle, Tygerdale Lane, Geranium Lane, Hibiscus Court and Cottontail Lane.
• The Concussion Training Workshop, offered by the Parks & Recreation department to fall league coaches last year will be submitted for recognition by Municipal Association of South Carolina. The city’s Alive at 25 program and SIDNE go-kart training tool won the 2012 MASC Achievement Award for Public Safety last year.
• Neighborhood Crime Watch signs were installed in the Blue Ridge Plantation area. The city has received the location of where the signs are to be installed in the Riverdale Plantation.
• Housing starts in January were 11 with residential permits at $1.23 million. That was one fewer (12) than January 2012 and 10 more than January 2011. There were 173 housing starts in 2012 compared to 212 in 2011.
• Council retreat is Thursday and Friday at City Hall.