Today 
Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 11:09PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Obsever
Piedmont Historical Preservation Society is working to identify and preserve African American burial sites in the Upstate.
Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 10:15PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The 41st Annual Spring Water Festival in Williamston attracted near-record crowds Friday night and Saturday to Mineral Springs Park and surrounding areas of town.
The event featured the famous car show, an early morning foot race/run, arts and crafts, music, food, amusement rides.
Friday, August 26, 2022 at 11:42PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County's eight high schools kicked off the new season at the Anderson Area Touchdown Club Friday with remarks from all the head coaches.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 7:15PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The City of Anderson has plans to annex at least one stretch of property, a 22.04-acre field which reaches south to Edgebrook Drive, which fronts the East-West Parkway east of Concord Road, leaving more than a few local leaders and citizens in the community upset by potential changes in zoning, water runoff and traffic issues.
In 2009, when the parkway was proposed, Anderson County Council met with communities along the route to receive feedback and to work to maintain the prevalent state of housing in the area. County council passed resolutions designating the lands bordering the parkway as single-family (R-20) overlay district is intended to provide an environment supportive of existing housing within the district that minimize the impact on residential activities.
Sidewalks, solar lighting, a small park area with public restrooms have been a part of the long-term improvements to keep the area which cut through such neighborhoods as residential-like as possible along the four-lanes that have transformed transportation in Anderson County over the past decade.
Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn, who, along with the rest of council worked with former Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder, after whom the park is named to protecting the nature of the land surrounding the parkway.
“Mr. Crowder was instrumental in regulations intended to preserve the natural beauty of the area,” said Dunn. “It was something important to all of us on council.”
Council passed a resolution requiring a supermajority vote from any furture county council to make any changes to the single-family zoning along the parkway.
But Dunn said the future of preserving this goal for the four-lane connector, which stretches for three miles from S.C. 81 North to Clemson Boulevard and has become one of the county’s main traffic arteries, could be in jeopardy.
The City of Anderson is considering annexation in the area, and has met with developers about the potential future of those 22 acres. While no official proposal has been made public, several sources suggest a dramatic rezoning is among at least one of the proposals considered by the city, one which featured more than 400 units, including apartments.
Dunn is not pleased with the thought of such potential development which he sees as a betrayal of the promises to the communities adjacent to the land on which the parkway was built.
“We met with people in these communities and they voted overwhelmingly to restrict any future development of the land along the parkway to R-20,” Dunn said. “That area, with the walking track, lights and park is one of the nicest places in Anderson. You cannot go by there day or night where you don’t see someone enjoying the parkway. We have this beautiful mile stretch of frontage land along the parkway and the city wants to mess that up.”
Dunn said the reason developers turn to the city for annexation is because the county has stricter standards and does not grant such zoning changes as are being considered on the parkway. He said the city has already annexed other areas of the county without any real input from residents who live in areas of the county who cannot vote for the city council members who are making the decisions.
Two areas on or near Midway Road were given among the recent examples of county citizens in the area having no voice in city annexation.
“We need a state law to stop this kind of thing,” said Dunn, who added that as a builder he is not against growth.
“We need development in Anderson County, but we need to have controlled growth,” said Dunn. “The parkway needs to stay the way it is for now. There is no rush for the city to move quickly on annexation there.”
Meanwhile residents who live south of the proposed development, who have already been battling water runoff issues since the parkway was built, even with the green buffer zone surrounding the current road, are concerned.
Gwen Mochak, who has lived with her husband adjacent to the property in question in Old Towne off Concord Road for seven years, says the potential for more development between her property and the parkway would result in even more flooding of her neighborhood.
Mochak said so much water runoff had flooded both her neighborhood and others on its way to swelling Cox Creek as it moved down river.
She said the county has offered some help, including giving her some sand bags to use against rising water, but that a formal hydrology study has yet to be done and getting the various groups and agencies to cooperate in the effort frustrating. She is not optimistic.
“Any time it rains a good downpour we worry,” said Mochak, adding that multiple neighborhoods are affected by the flooding.
Old Towne, Prescott, Canebrake, Thornehill and Bradley Park have put together a joint committee in an attempt to get help with the issue.
A lawsuit filed by one of the homeowners in the area whose house has been flooded multiple times may have also slowed the progress, since litigation can restrict or delay some contact with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and Anderson County.
“(It) flooded the first townhouse twice,” said Mochak. “We have a concrete patio that has been flooded. The water rages down from the drainpipe onto the property.”
Videos sent to the Anderson Observer clearly show the extent of the problems.
Mochak said she had met with most members of city (most of the areas with flood issues are in the city) and county councils, along with other officials who have seen the photos and video of the problem. She added that it takes several days for the properties to dry out after rain, so the problems is prevalent.
“Where is all that water going to go? We have got to get the SCDOT people out here to figure this out. It (the parkway) was just not engineered for growth.”
“The county has been trying to help us, I give them credit, but that unless that big pipe is fixed we are going to continue to have problems,” said Mochak.
Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton, who represents the district impacted by the flooding, said he has yet to see any official proposal for annexation and a new development on the property.
“I have talked to a lot of people and I know there are a lot of moving pieces, but I have not seen anything,” said Newton. “There still needs to be a whole lot more feedback from the community before there is any movement in that direction.”
“I know that city could be looking at the whole length of the connector, there are no approved plans in place.”
Newton said he has participated in some of the meetings with leaders in those communities south of the parkway off Concord Road, and plans to continue to meet with his constituents in the area.
“I am extremely cautious about all development, but I am especially cautious about development along the East-West Parkway, especially as it relates to water issues on Cox Creek. One thing I know: Water flows downhill,” said Newton. "I know which way Cox Creek flows and that is why I going to represent the will of those in the neighborhoods along Concord Road and their needs.”
He said he is "the most cautious person on council" concerning this right now because it is going to affect his constituents the most.
Newton also said the water issues in the area ones which need to be addressed no matter what future development holds.
“This effects people living in the city right now, and we need to take some kind of action.”
Anderson County Councilman John Wright, Jr., who represents the area, said that the current zoning along the connector was part of a well-considered plan.
“There was a zoning plan and an overlay district put in place when county council secured the parkway, and those things were put there for a reason and we need to honor that,” said Wright.
Wright said while some form of development is likely for the future of the road front along the parkway, any such development needs to be in keeping with the county’s R-20 zoning overlay district, which would not include other options.
He added the county will continue to explore ways to reduce water running off and leading to flooding in the area just south of the parkway to Thornehill.
Wright also agreed it’s also possible Dunn’s conclusions that annexation is driven by developers who may not wish to deal with the county because the city is more willing to make changes the would county oppose.
“There’s only so much we can do,” said Wright. “The county supports development based on what the road was built to handle, including traffic and water, and the need to preserve the R-20 status as part of the infrastructure.”
The city recently held a meeting to discuss ideas for the parkway, but many, including the Anderson Observer and other members of the media, were not made aware of the event. Future meetings hosted by the city are possible.
But in the meantime, many who live in the city south of the parkway along Concord Road await solutions and progress on flooding and water damage issues, as the county leaders continue to be disappointed over what some citizens have called the city’s continuing “annexation without representation.”
The chairman of county council is among this group.
“There’s nothing we can do to stop the City of Anderson from doing what they want to do, but changing the zoning in that area would probably put a strain on their relationship with the county,” said Dunn.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 9:50AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Anderson Area Touchdown Club kicks off the new season Friday at noon at the Anderson Institute of Techonology.
Head football coaches from the county's eight high schools are scheduled as the feature speakers for the first meeting of the year. The group will meet each Friday at AIT throughout the football season.
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 8:47PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson City Council approved, on first reading, the lease of the top of the East Main Street Parking Garage downtown for use as a restaurant and bar.
The 6,148-square-foot rooftop space designed to accommodate a rooftop restaurant (1,434 square feet conditioned space, and 4,714 square feet of open air space). Anderson Rooftop, LLC, was given initial approval Monday night to operate a full-service restaurant and bar in that space.
The group has reported "received local, regional, and national recognition in the hospitality industry for its exceptional visitor experience, menu, and specialized niche as a rooftop restaurant.” According to a source close to the story, the new establishment will be part of the group which owns the “Up on the Roof” rooftop restaurants/bars in Greenville Alpharetta, Ga.
The new business would also create 60 new jobs and generate $250,000 in its first five years of operation from annual hospitality tax and business license fees.
“The renderings don’t do it justice,” said Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts. (see below)
Official approval requires one more vote by city council. Once approved the facility is expected to be in operation by December.
Also on Tuesday night, the City of Anderson also made changed to the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, increasing the proposed budget by almost $4 million. A $2.25 million American Rescue Funds payments for premium pay accounts for most of the increase.
Council also gave final approval for a long-term lease of Anderson Memorial Stadium to Anderson University, who will not maintain and update the property.
Meanwhile a $51,850 contract to improve the entrance of the Silver Brook Cemetery at 1405 White Street was awarded to Premier Construction of Belton. The goal is to preserve the historical and structural significance of the structure.
The city also approved a contract not to exceed $225,150 Builders to C.P. Builders to repair drainage issues and a sinkhole along a stormwater pipe discharging into the pond behind 121 Hammett Acres. The project would replace approximately 600 feet of failing corrugated metal pipe ranging from 36” to 48” diameter.
Finally, city council gave first reading approval to rezoning of 9.31 acres at the corner of East River Street and Clarke Lane to a Planned Development District. A developer is proposing the construction of a development of 85, single-family townhouses on the property.
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 6:31PM
|
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 3:02PM Happy Trails, Happy Gardens, Happy Rhinos, and a Happy County Administrator, all this and more on the Aug. 22 edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.
Interviews:
Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator
Brett Sanders, Vice Chairman Anderson County Council
John Benca, new Anderson County Auditor
Rockey Burgess, Mayor of Williamston
Zephaniah Smith, Cleo Bailey Experiment
Ali Brandon, Oasis of Hope
Jazz Wideman, Pendleton Rhinos
John Sealy, Friends of Broadway Lake
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 10:58AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Candidates for nonpartisan offices for the November general election in Anderson County is now set.
Anderson County candidates fornonpartisan elections for November are:
Anderson County Board of Education:
001: Gary Burgess
003: Doug Adkins
004: Jordan Evans
006: Nakia Davis
Anderson County School Trustees:
Dist. 1, Area 5: Wendy Burgess
Dist. 1, Area 4: Pat Cox
Dist. 1, Area 1: Melissa Ellison Hood
Dist. 1, Area 7: Nacny Owen Upton
Dist. 2, Area 1: Kevin T. Craft
Dist. 2, At-Large: Jimmy Outz
Dist. 2, Area 3: Kurt Tavernier
Dist. 2, Area 4: Greg Tysl
Dist. 3, At-Large: Hannah Arnold
Dist. 3, At-Large: Curtis Wiles
Dist. 3, Area 1: Larry Holbrook
Dist. 3, Area 4: Gale Moore Dickerson
Dist. 3, Area 4: Marty Watt
Dist. 3, Area 4: Anne Marie Rogers
Dist. 4, Area 2: Paulette Grate
Dist. 4, Area 4: Diana Mullikin
Dist. 4, Area 4: Herbert Nymark
Dist. 4, Area 5: Brad Mock
Dist. 5, Area 1 (unexpired term): Julie Usherwood
Dist. 5, Area 2: Johnny Donald Jr.
Dist. 5, Area 2: Sandra Thompson Leverette
Dist. 5, Area 2: John Steely
Dist. 5, Area 5: Harold Kay II
Dist. 5, Area 6: Rick Bradshaw
Dist. 5, Area 6: Erica Grunst
Dist. 5, At-Large: Cindy Burgess
Dist. 5, At-Large: Brad Freeman
Dist. 5, At-Large: Alison Youngblood
Watershed Conservation District
Big Creek: Joey Werner
Broadmouth Creek: Glenn Stevens
Public Service Dist, Homeland Park Water and Sewer
Dennis Chastain
Don King
Walter Lanier
Soil and Water Commission
Art D. Garrison
Alex Kostik
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 10:32AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Anderson County Board of Voter Registration and Elections needs your help.
Election workers are needed for the Nov. 8 general elections.
The work offers a paid opportunity to get to perform a civic duty and get to know the community.
South Carolina pays a total of $135 for Poll Managers to work election day, ($60 for attending a mandatory training session and $75 for working on election day). Clerks for the polling location receive an additional $60 for a total of $195.
Requirements:
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 10:08AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
East Reed Road from Greenville Street to McConell Springs Road will be closed from 7 p.m. to midnight on 
Friday for The Peoples Bank/YMCA Midnight Flight. Traffic to AnMed Health Women's and Children's Hospital will be rerouted during this time.
A map at the right should help the community to avoid any confusion the night of the race.
The Midnight Flight is a road race benefitting the Anderson Area YMCA. The race includes a 1-mile fun run, a 5K race and a 10K race. Info (864) 716-6809 or visit here
Monday, August 22, 2022 at 6:40AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The 41st annual Williamston's Spring Water Festival will kick off Friday 6-10 p.m. with music from "Carolina Coast Band" and blues/rock from the "Blue Sky Blues Band," and continue Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
The event will feature music, arts and crafts, activities for children, amusement rides, an auto show, food and other exhibits.
A 5K Spring Water Run is also scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 1:38PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson University President Evans Whitaker talks about the vision, growth and future of the state's largest private university in this interview with the Anderson Observer.