A proposed three phase development on 67.35 acres along Shady Grove Road failed to meet first reading by Irmo Town Council May 19 during the regular town council meeting.
More than 100 people attended the council meeting to voice their opinions against the development. Most of the comments had the same concerns which included traffic congestion, lack of infrastructure, overcrowding in the school district and the possibility of attracting “bad elements.”
One property owner borders the proposed site and he stated change may be inevitable but he would like to see a 100 ft. buffer and a 10 ft. tall fence to keep out trespassers between the development and his property.
The developer, Chris Young, Vice President of American Community Developers, answered questions from the council prior to the vote. “We have been successful in South Carolina with our developments,” said Young. “The ACD does not sell their properties and will maintain the property internally.”
He assured the council that there would be no HUD housing and that “this is not a section eight project, will not be a section eight project and can’t be a section eight project.”
The three phases would have created 200 workforce housing units, 90 senior duplexes and 40 single family homes.
Mayor Danielson summed up the dialogue by stating, “These people don’t believe you. They think you’ll put up affordable housing and then you’ll be gone. It’s not me saying that, you’ve done a very good job explaining this but your audience just doesn’t believe you. I want to express upon the folks sitting here in this room that if we shoot this down, you go away, the broker is sitting right over there and I can tell you another contract is coming right behind it . . . and we’re going to be right back here again. Those folks have the right to sell and maximize their property.”
The reading failed 4-1.
A public hearing was held before the meeting on the general budget and Okra Strut budget. There were no comments and the public hearing was closed.
Chief Petty Officer Ryan Daniels along with his son, Joel, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Daniels spent 20 years in the Navy as a Nuclear Machinist Mate. He has six children and is active in the community.
Daniels was presented with an official Navy flag from the Irmo Veterans Park.
A request to build a 42,000 sf storage building with extensive landscaping passed first reading on a 3-2 vote. The building would be built in the parking lot of an already existing storage facility at 7949 Broad River Rd. Site improvements to existing buildings are part of the ordinance.
Councilman Penfield commented “I can’t think of anything this area abhors more than carwashes and storage buildings. That revenue goes back to New York. That property owner is unwilling to provide alternate lease arrangements to the tenants, I have personal experience there.”
He also stated he has feed back from the public and his own personal experience. “It’s a no for me,” Penfield said.
Inga Welchel was honored as the Employee of the Quarter. Inga is Sr. Administrative Assistant at the Irmo Police Department.
An ordinance to allow more freedoms for home based businesses passed first reading. This allows accessory buildings and an employee for residential businesses.
MPA Strategies was retained again for PIO services for the town. CC&I had their contract renewed for building inspection services.
Asset Technology Group was grated a three year contract to serve as the Town of Irmo Information Technology vendor.
A contract with the County of Lexington placed Ed Lewis as primary Municipal Judge and Gary Morgan as backup Municipal Court Judge. Both will backup current Municipal Judge Rebecca Adams.
The Town held an Executive Session seeking legal advice over a complaint against council. When council returned Councilwoman Dr. Waldman instructed the town attorney to work with administration counsel to investigate further the complaint and report back within 45 days.
No further action was taken and the meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.
