By Al Dozier
Irmo Mayor Barry Walker Sr. expressed concerns at Tuesday’s council meeting that the yellow road stripes are fading on several roads in the Irmo area, posing a safety hazard to motorists.
Walker said he has heard several citizens complain about the problem, and urged the council to take immediate action. The markings alert motorists about two-way traffic and also signal no-passing lanes.
Walker said the problems were reported on College Street, Columbia Avenue, Friarsgate Boulevard and North Royal Tower Road.
Councilman Erik Sickinger questioned whether such road maintenance tasks are a responsibility of the town, or that of the state or county.
“We don’t need to spend the money if we don’t have to,” he said.
Sickinger also noted there is a question about the town’s liability in undertaking such maintenance projects.
“Who’s responsible? Where do we draw the line?” he said.
Other council members expressed similar concerns, but that annoyed Walker, who accused opponents of being irresponsible.
“We need to save peoples’ lives,” he said.
Sickinger and Walker butted heads for a while, but the council agreed to look into the problem further and receive cost estimates on re-striping.
In other action the council gave final reading to adopt an updated Comprehensive Plan for the town of Irmo, finalizing a five-year review with updates to a 10-year plan. The council also approved a $120,000 contract with Stewart Inc., a consultant, to complete the plan.
The plan provides a policy guide for future growth and development in and around Irmo.
Walker expressed concerns such a policy should have in-put from citizens of Irmo before it is adopted, but other council members noted the plan includes provisions for community input.
The council also gave final reading to an ordinance updating the Business License Rate Class Schedule.
The update is recommended by the Municipal Association of South Carolina and required by state law.
After some deliberations, the council gave first reading to an ordinance creating standards for the placement of small wireless facilities. Council members expressed concerns about the impact of signals emanating from such facilities, and agreed expert opinion is needed at the next council workshop before final reading is given at the next regular council meeting.
The council gave first reading approval to purchase three Chevy Silverado PPV trucks from Love Chevrolet in the amount of $190,024 for the police department.
The council also gave first reading approval to an ordinance that updates the town building code in compliance with recently new regulations adopted by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulating Building Codes Council.
The council appointed Andre Fontana and Beach Loveland to the Accommodations Tax Committee.
The council recognized Lake Murray Drug Company. as the August 2023 Small Business of the Month.
New in-town businesses recognized were: Flow Mortgage, LLC., 7554 Woodrow Street; Hair by Hailey McCollum, 100 Hunter Village Drive; Carolina Health Care, 7425 College Street; HVAC Inspection Pros. LLC., 7554 Woodrow Street; MedTrust Medical Transport, LLC., 121 Hunters Village Drive; Natura Life Salon, 7971 N. Woodrow Street; Styles by Sam, 7001 St. Andrews Road; The Well SC, 7777 St. Andrews Road; Wellness Massage Therapy & Aesthetic Spa., 7239 St. Andrews Road.
During the Community Connections session the council received an update on the Broad River Road Widening Project., which is still in the planning stage. The project will widen the road from two to five lanes. Officials said the project will not be completed until 2028.
The Food and Artisan Market is scheduled August 26 at the Community Park.
Registration is now open for parade entries in the Irmo Okra Strut Parade.
