City Council Moves Ahead on Midway/Crestview Development

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson City Council passed by a vote of 7-2 the first reading of an updated plan to annex 50 acres on the corner of Midway Road and Crestview Road for a planned subdivision. The proposal was tabled at the last council meeting.

The revised proposal, which was not available to review Monday night for council members or the public, was said to offer 159 homes, instead of 200, sidewalks, a mixture of large and small lots, retention of some old-growth trees, green space and improved traffic lanes.

Several residents of the community were in attendance and of those who spoke, none expressed support for the new subdivision, arguing that traffic would be overwhelming and that a high-density housing project would compromise the current makeup of the area.

The two council members who opposed the approval of the project, Don Chapman and John Roberts, expressed concerns after a report of a planned roundabout traffic improvement at the corner is currently not scheduled to be completed before 2025. Other council members, including Councilman Tony Stewart, suggested the current South Caroina Department of Transportation scheduled timeline may not reflect a correct estimate.

House sizes were orginally slated to be between 1,500-4,000 square feet and have a finished floor elevation a minimum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade – no slab on grade houses. All lots are required to have 2 trees per lot, one of which is to be planted near the front. No updates were given on these requirements.

City Councilman Tony Stewart promised the updated requirements would be available at the next city council meeting slated for July 26.

Also on Monday night, council:

• Approved the annexation and rezoning to a Planned Development District, approximately 323 acres located off Williamston Road near the intersection of U.S. 29 Bypas. There will be six development phases for the property, with 168 acres undeveloped (157 acres is mostly floodplain adn 11 acres will be set aside for common area, which will include a clubhouse, pool, and athletic courts. The development calls for 3-5 bedroom homes with driveways and garages. The single-family dwellings are required to have a finished floor elevation a minimum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade.
• Approved a contract for Recreation Complex Phase III. Phase III will include a state-of-the art synthetic turf system, a restroom/concession/storage building erected between Phase II & III, a 10-foot-wide section of the Whitner Creek greenway will be constructed as part of this project between Piedmont and Bleckley Streets. The expansion will include LED lighting and 12 security cameras. The completion of the expansion will provide a quality field and be totally ADA compliant. The total cost of the project is $5,010,878.90.
• Approved tax incentives for a new development in the old Meeting Place building on West Whitner and a new cafe and business at 110-112 East Benson Street.