Bryan Franklin, center, was elected mayor of Blythewood, and Donald Brock (left) and Eddie Baughman (right) were elected to the town council Monday evening. | Barbara Ball
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood voters elected a new mayor and two
councilmen Monday night.
Current Town Councilman Bryan Franklin received 330 votes
for mayor, besting former mayor Keith Bailey with 252 votes and Town Councilman
Malcolm Gordge with 121 votes.
Planning Commission Chair Donald Brock was the top vote getter
for two open council seats with 412 votes. Town Councilman Eddie Baughman
captured the other seat with 389 votes. Planning Commissioner Sloan Jarvis
Griffin, III received 311 votes followed by former planning commissioner Marcus
Taylor with 157 votes and political newcomer Barry Belville with 39 votes.
Four Ridgeway/Fairfield precinct votes were accounted for on
the posted results, but there was no indication as to who the votes were cast
for. Richland County Voter Registration provided The Voice with
Ridgeway/Fairfield numbers Wednesday morning – 4 ballots cast with 12 votes:
Franklin, 2; Gordge, 2; Baughman, 4; Brock, 3 and Griffin, 1.
According to Richland County, 731 ballots were cast with a
23 percent voter turnout.
The mayor’s seat and the two council seats are for four-year terms. Franklin’s election leaves an open seat on town council that will be filled by a special election.
Story updated 11/6/19 at 2:41 p.m. with information from Richland County Voter Registration Office.
BLYTHEWOOD – In a unanimous vote Monday evening, council
voted to amend two Town Center District ordinances – one to allow, in
perpetuity, several signs next to the Interstate up to 35 feet tall, and
another to loosen restrictions on the landscape ordinance for businesses.
The amendment to the sign ordinance will also allow the sign
faces of those signs to be changed should the business change. All new
businesses, including any new hotels, however, would be required to comply with
the more restrictive sign code written prior to Monday night’s vote, Cook said.
Monday night’s amendments dismantle sections of two key
ordinances put in place by a former council with the stated intent of creating
a more attractive Town Center District.
Former Councilman Tom Utroska told Council last month that
it would be inappropriate to amend the two ordinances at this late date.
Non-conforming Signs
The sign ordinance, passed in 2013, stated that all ground
mounted signs in the I-77 Sign Overlay District, including the three tall signs
on the interstate, be required to be brought into compliance with zoning by
Jan. 26, 2020.
Town Administrator Brian Cook said a fourth sign, an
off-premise nonconforming outdoor advertising sign for Exxon/Bojangles, could
arguably be covered under the SC Landowner and Advertising Protection and
Property Valuation Act, which in essence would call for just compensation’ for
removal caused by ordinance.
Cook said that on June 5, 2019, notices of sign
noncompliance were mailed to the Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
and McDonald’s.
“These businesses were notified of the deadline to bring
their ground mounted/free standing signs into compliance with the sign
regulations,” Cook said in a memo to council.
While many of the businesses have since complied, Monday
night’s vote deleted those requirements for the businesses who have not complied.
Utroska commented last month that the affected businesses
had either five or seven years to comply with these ordinances.
“We’ve been making other businesses abide by it and now
we’re going to change the ordinance for these,” he said. “We shouldn’t do that.
“The ordinance shouldn’t be amended just because some
businesses haven’t complied in what I think has been a fair and reasonable
time,” Utroska said. “And, again, this was discussed with the chamber at the
time. Everybody discussed it, and we had a reasonable understanding with
everybody that this was going to occur, that it was appropriate and it was
done. They [businesses] were given time enough to depreciate it off as an asset
and take the write-off from the government and not suffer greatly from it.”
“If we can spend $85,000 to build a fence across the bridge
out here, we can figure out how to do whatever we have to do to take down the
extra Bojangles sign and paying what’s appropriate,” Utroska said.
Landscaping amendment
An ordinance put in place on July 27, 2015, required all
non-conforming properties located in the Town Center (TC) District to comply
with landscaping/buffer yard requirements within five years from the adoption
of the ordinance.
Council amended the ordinance Monday evening to eliminate
that requirement.
Cook said an alternative approach to the landscape ordinance
would be to work with the remaining business owners [who have not complied] on
matching façade/landscaping grants.
“Blythewood is still small enough that we can potentially
work with a landscape architect and our business community on a specialized
case by case plan for each business,” Cook said.
Two years ago council abolished an ordinance to require new
buildings to be pulled closer to the street with parking in the rear of the
buildings. The previous year it abolished an ordinance requiring mandatory
second stories on new builds in certain areas. Those ordinances, according to
former Town Councilman Paul Moscati, who addressed council on the issue in
2017, were designed to make the town more attractive and to promote walkability
in the town.
The Town’s Economic Development Consultant Ed Parler told
Council last month that the regulations for a more walkable community were a
hindrance to the economic growth of the town.
BLYTHEWOOD – The Voice of Blythewood will host the 2019 Blythewood Candidate Forum at Doko Manor Thursday, Oct. 24 from 7 – 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The forum will feature four of five candidates for town council and three candidates for mayor. Council candidate Barry Belville will not be in attendance.
Town Hall Format
In a departure from formats used for candidate forums in
years past, this year’s forum will follow a town hall format that will include
questions for candidates asked by members of the audience. Those in the
audience who plan to ask questions will need to submit them between 6:30 and 7
p.m.
Council and mayoral candidates will answer questions in two
rounds. Candidates for council will answer questions first, followed by the
mayoral candidates.
Candidates for mayor are former Blythewood Mayor Keith
Bailey and Town Councilmen Bryan S. Franklin and Malcolm P. Gordge. Candidates
for council are incumbent Town Councilman Eddie Baughman, Barry J. Belville,
Planning Commission Chairman Donald Beaton Brock, Jr., Planning Commissioner
Sloan Jarvis Griffin, III and former Planning Commissioner Marcus Taylor.
Door Prizes
An added feature this year will be drawings for six door
prizes to be awarded to members of the audience. Each door prize will be a $100
gift certificate provided by the following six merchants: Blythewood Oil (fuel
from a Blythewood Sharpe Shoppe), IGA/Food Lion (groceries), Papa John’s (a
pizza party), Reese’s Plants (plants), Laura’s Tea Room (High Tea for four) and
Pope Tire Company (products or service).
Free door prize tickets will be available at the door,
beginning at 6:30 p.m. Three door prizes will be drawn following the council
candidate forum and three will be drawn following the mayoral candidate forum.
Mayor J. Michael Ross will serve as master of ceremonies,
and Vance Sharpe will provide sound. Blythewood High School student Abhimanyu
Sailesh will be the time keeper.
Refreshments will be provided. The Manor is located at 100
Alvina Hagood Circle adjacent to Town Hall.
For information about the forum, contact The Voice at
803-767-5711 or email voice@blythewoodonline.com.
I am a retired battalion chief. I am married to the former
Donna Miller, and we have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren. My son and his family also live in
Blythewood.
I graduated from Spring Valley High School, class of
1977. I continued my education
throughout my Naval and Fire service careers, attending Midlands Technical
College.
I was first elected to town council in 2014 to fill an
unexpired term, and re-elected in 2016.
These last 6 years have been rewarding and challenging.
It’s been my pleasure to serve the residents of Blythewood
these last 6 years.
I started my service career in 1977 enlisting in the United
States Navy serving as a petty officer assigned to Fighter Squadron 101, a
fleet replacement squadron responsible for the training of naval aviators and
ground crews for the F14 Tomcat, Naval Air Station in Oceana Beach VA.
After my honorable discharge, I continued my service with
the City of Columbia as a firefighter attaining the rank of Battalion Chief. As
command officer I directed the daily activities of 9 fire stations and 60
firefighters. For 26 years I served the citizens of Columbia and Richland
County.
After retirement I continued my service with the South
Carolina Baptist Convention at the White Oak Conference Center in Winnsboro SC,
where I assist with the booking of church groups and nonprofit originations and
all their conference and retreat needs.
I hold membership in the International Association of
Firefighters, AMVETS post 33 and the VFW. I am a board member of the Doko
Meadows Park Foundation which has been very rewarding bringing to life the
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union Amphitheater.
Many accomplishments have been achieved while I served on
council these last few years such as passing zoning ordinances on lot size,
reducing some new neighborhoods from high density too low to medium density
thus maintaining the beauty we have all come to expect here in our small
community.
Addressing the traffic issues we continue to face, economic
development that benefits our businesses and residents alike. A resident of Blythewood for 35 years, I’ve
seen and felt the burden of uncontrolled growth.
We have many issues to address to maintain balance here in
Blythewood. If re-elected I will continue to push for better emergency response
by continuing to pressure Richland county for upgrades to our fire station,
adding six more full time firefighters to bring Blythewood in line with other
northeast neighborhoods.
Blythewood is still the premier northeast location to raise
a family, and we need to continue to welcome new residents while lessening the
burden on our infrastructure.
If elected to town council I will continue to work
diligently for our residents and business community alike, striving to maintain
a balance to control growth and bring the infrastructure in our town to a level
that will lessen the burden on our commute times, allowing us quality time with
our families.
Barry Belville, 38
Belville
My name is Barry Belville, and I am running for Town
Council. My wife and I have lived in Blythewood for the past 5 years. We live
in Cobblestone Park with our 3 children.
I am the current Assistant Athletic Director for the
Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission. I have served in this role the past 7 years,
overseeing one of the largest Athletic Programs in the state. Before working in Lexington County, I worked
with the Richland County Recreation Commission for 6 years as an Athletic
Coordinator and Park Manager at our local Blythewood Park. These jobs have
given me the opportunity to work and serve the public on various projects and
events. I have gained valuable experience that will be very helpful as I serve
as your Town Council member.
In addition to my work experience, I also serve on the HOA
advisory board for Cobblestone Park. I have served in this role for 3 years.
This role has given me insight into the growth that is coming to Blythewood in
the next decade. It has showed me the importance of planning for growth so our
current community can handle the changes it will bring.
There are three main issues for Blythewood that I believe
are important to focus on in the coming years.
Dealing with the expected growth and development over the next 5-10 years.
There is no doubt that Blythewood is a growing town. Growth
is a great thing for the community and the surrounding area. However, I believe
we need a plan in place to handle this growth. Right now the infrastructure we
have in the Town of Blythewood will not be able to handle the amount of
projected growth. Even with the planned
projects from the Penny Tax, our roads and infrastructure in Blythewood are not
capable of handling 2-3 more massive subdivisions and 1,300 acres of industrial
development. We need to address our infrastructure before we move forward with
the growth that is planned.
Renewal of the water contract with Winnsboro.
The Town of Blythewood’s current water contract is coming up
for renegotiation with the Winnsboro Water Department. This current contract
was signed about twenty years ago. I would love to see Blythewood review what
we currently pay and research to see if there are other water sources
available. We currently pay out of
county rates to the Winnsboro Water Department. I believe we should look for a
way to lower our fees for water with our next contract.
Hospitality Tax and Accommodation Tax and the events they support
Blythewood has a Hospitality and an Accommodations Tax to
help support our town and community events.
I want to see these used to continue to provide new events to meet the
needs of our growing community. I would
like to have committees to review the support for events and make necessary
changes. By celebrating old traditions
and creating new lasting memories we will make Blythewood strong as we move
into the future.
As your town Council Member, I will work hard for the Town
of Blythewood.
Donald Brock, 39
Brock
When my family moved to Blythewood a few years ago, we moved
to a community. We moved into a
community that takes pride in their town, one where people are friendly and
helpful; a community that welcomed us with open arms and has given me an
opportunity to serve the common good. As
a father of three, my children are being raised in Blythewood, establishing
their roots in a community that appreciates integrity, hard-work and family
values, and for me, there are no better qualities for a community to have. I was fortunate enough to be appointed to the
Blythewood Planning Commission in September 2016 and in December 2017, I was
elected Chairman. While I truly love
this opportunity to serve the town, I would like to take the next step and
serve as a member of Town Council.
As a member of Town Council, it is without question my duty
to protect this community. It is my duty
to protect Blythewood from those who would seek to profit at the community’s
expense. Whether it’s national builders
who want to develop high density neighborhoods or County Council looking to rob
Blythewood of the qualities that make it wonderful, we all need leaders who are
willing to draw a line in the sand and say “No, this will not happen in our
town!” The last two years as Planning
Commission Chairman show that I am willing and able to draw that line. Blythewood has a charm and elegance that we
must not allow to be lost to overdevelopment.
As a member of Town Council, it’s imperative that we
maximize the use of one of our finest assets:
Doko Meadows. We have an amazing
park, amphitheater, and one of the best facilities in the northeast, Doko
Manor. Doko Meadows can be a key piece
in the growth and prosperity of the town, hosting world-class concerts,
festivals and family-friendly events that will attract visitors from beyond the
greater Blythewood area. I look forward
to working with local event promoters, such as Bravo Blythewood and the
Blythewood Chamber of Commerce, to increase visibility of current events and
bring new and exciting events to our town.
As a member of Town Council, I feel it is my responsibility
to advocate for a top-notch health, recreation and wellness facility, one
that’s owned and controlled by the Town.
I envision an all-in-one complex, one that includes sports and recreational
activities that will be beneficial for all residents, not just our youth.
As One Blythewood, we need to oversee our town and our
town’s future, not relinquish control to outsiders who would simply use us as a
profit engine. We have to develop a
top-notch health, recreation and wellness complex to serve the greater
community. Finally, we must continue to
enhance the resources we have by supporting the current events at Doko Meadows
and promoting new events and opportunities that can truly showcase Blythewood’s
true charm. I am asking for your support
to make these visions a reality.
As One Blythewood, we need to oversee our town and our town’s future, not relinquish control to outsiders who would simply use us as a profit engine. We have to develop a top-notch health, recreation and wellness complex to serve the greater community. Finally, we must continue to enhance the resources we have by supporting the current events at Doko Meadows and promoting new events and opportunities that can truly showcase Blythewood’s true charm. I am asking for your support to make these visions a reality.
Sloan Griffin, 33
Hello, my name is Sloan J. Griffin III, and I’m seeking your
support for Blythewood Town Council. My wife, our Pomeranian and I are
residents of Cobblestone and we attend church at The Brook. I worked in
Blythewood during the 2015 floods while deployed with FEMA and ate every day at
Lizards Thicket, Carolina Wings and Scotties. I said after returning home, one
day I’ll move to Blythewood buy my first home and start a family. Here I am
today a proud resident of Blythewood, married, expecting our first child and
serving you all as a member of the Blythewood Planning Commission.
I started my professional career in public service as a
firefighter in June of 2005. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency
Management (Magna Cum Laude) from Kaplan University. Currently employed by
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as an Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator II and currently serving on the Town of Blythewood
Planning Commission.
September, 2016 I was awarded the SCDHEC’s highest
operations award for “Excellence in Leadership and Service” and honored by
Governor Nikki Haley during a private luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. The
award wa for training and designing an emergency management system for our
federal and state-recognized Native American tribal nations.
In addition, throughout my career I have served our great
citizens in other capacities as a Firefighter, Fire Marshal, Fire Captain, Operation
Chief, Public safety officer, and with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) as a Planning Section Chief Reservist, Since 2005 I’ve responded to
thousands of emergency calls, trained hundreds, deployed over 10 times with the
state of South Carolina (Latest one Hurricane Dorian) and over 6 times
nationally with FEMA (most recent deployment to Hurricane Harvey to lead
strategic operational planning as Planning Section Chief for Houston, TX)
I hope to continue to serve you by taking the next step and,
with your vote on November 5, OUR goals are:
Public Safety Improvements
Environmental & Clean Energy Policies
Arts & Culture
Smart Growth & Jobs Creation
Open Transparency
It’s time for a better and smarter Blythewood, a Blythewood
that listens and delivers. Let’s make Blythewood safe and environmentally
friendly, let’s celebrate our history of arts and culture, let’s create jobs
that provide growth in our homes, and let’s have a local government that
responds to your needs. With my willingness to not only listen but to get
results and my outlook to drive for a smarter future puts me in the perfect
position to serve you all as your next Town Council member.
I invite everyone to visit www.SloanGriffin.org and like my
Facebook page. Vote for Sloan J Griffin III “Blythewood Town Council” or
contact me at (864) 377-2120 and email at sloanjarvisgriffin@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your support.
Taylor
Blythewood Town Council candidate Marcus Taylor did not respond to The Voice’s request for comments for this issue.
The candidates for Blythewood mayor present their plans and platforms.
Bailey
Keith Bailey, 60
A Blythewood resident for 23 years, I was born in
Nassawadox, VA. I am a military child with roots all over the world. I received a B.S. Degree in Business
Management from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, VA, in
1981. As a commissioned second
lieutenant in the United States Army, I served honorably as an active duty
officer for over 22 years, receiving several commendatory awards including
qualification status for Airborne Ranger.
I’ve served in several public service offices here in South
Carolina, including: Mayor of Blythewood
(2008-2012); Blythewood Town Council (2004-2008); Deputy Director for A Better
Way’s “Project G.O.” (Gang Out), an
organization focused on cleaning up gang activity in SC neighborhoods; Vice
Chair of the Board of Directors for Hopes of Higher Education, a non-profit
organization that bridges the educational gap from high school to college for
foster children who reached age of maturity; Co-founder of the Blythewood Youth
Football and Cheer League, an organization that teaches leadership,
followership and team building to youth between the ages of eight and twelve
and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Francis Burns United
Methodist Church.
I am proud of my record as a public servant of Blythewood.
During my term as mayor, the town government:
Planned and implemented what, today, is Blythewood’s crown jewel – The Manor and Doko Meadows Park
Assisted in transitioning the Blythewood Business Coalition into the Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce.
Assisted in establishing the Blythewood Historical Society.
Brought the Rodeo and the Diamond Invitational Baseball Tournament to Blythewood
Welcomed five new businesses to town due to economic enterprise
Beautified Exit 27 (bridge area over I-77) with trees and flowering shrubs.
Negotiated a $450,000 settlement for the Town with SCE&G
Annexed the Google property and over 2000 additional acres into Town limits
Established a recycling point in the town
Developed walking trails in the park
Brought attractive directional signage to the town
Created kiosks on Main Street and at Town Hall to promote town events
During my time as mayor of Blythewood, many of the major
attractions and events in the town were implemented, and many traditions were
started. There is more to governing a municipality than making legislative
decisions pertaining to zoning and ordinances.
I feel it’s important to make life better, more enjoyable and more
fulfilling for those who live, work and play here.
While our previous
accomplishments continue to enhance the town, there is work still to be done.
We do not have enough ball fields. We have traffic congestion and uncontrolled
residential growth. We need to continue working toward road and infrastructure
improvements. And we need to make the best use of our gift from travelers that
keeps on giving – the A-tax and H-tax revenue.
Governing the town is not a new experience for me. If I am
fortunate enough to be elected to serve again, I will continue a vision and a
plan that have proven successful.
With your vote and my experience, together we can continue
to move Blythewood forward.
Franklin
Brian Franklin, 51
I was raised in Blythewood and attended Richland School
District 2 schools here. I graduated from The Citadel as a Distinguished
Military Graduate in 1990, and became an Army Officer. I served for 24 years,
deployed to combat three times, was awarded a Combat Action Badge and two
Bronze Stars, and after serving honorably, retired back to my hometown. Although we met thousands of people around
the world, the unbeatable character, hospitality and hard-working people of
Blythewood called us back home to raise our kids. Of our eight children, five
are still at home with us here in Blythewood (not for too much longer!).
After earning two Master’s Degrees [in Health Administration
(Chapman University) and Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College)], I turned
to public service. I served on the Blythewood Planning Commission, was elected
Chairman, and later became elected as a Town Councilman (2014-2019). Today, I
proudly serve you as a Councilman, and I now want to employ my leadership to
accomplish my five-pillar vision for Blythewood as your next Mayor:
Engineer smart growth. We must own the new Richland County industrial park expansion, widen our local roads, keep developers in check, and get our traffic problem under control now. We must be vocal and involved in all construction in the Greater Blythewood Area.
Build Partnerships. We must reestablish our relationship with the Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce to work with area businesses to build a better future with public-private partnerships. Better relations with the County Council and Recreation Commission are also paramount.
Provide for our Citizens. Now is the time to procure land and build a state-of-the-art sports complex. This facility will also host many family and senior activities which are badly needed in Blythewood today. Simultaneously, we have to build sidewalks to connect our neighborhood and facilities. As I see it, a person living anywhere in town should be able to walk, bike or drive a golf cart all the way to Town Hall on a safe, lighted sidewalk.
Be disciplined. I will enforce our ordinances. If a developer tries to shortcut a project, or clear-cut acres of land only to let it sit idle, there must be consequences. “Woods” are what make Blythe“wood” unique and must be properly maintained when possible within these subdivisions.
Act boldly. I propose we put a referendum on next year’s ballot and offer our neighbors a voluntary opportunity to join us in the Town of Blythewood. Blythewood should include nearly all of the 29016 zip code boundary. Join together or prepare for the City of Columbia to move northward as the population continues to grow.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we must stand up and control our
growth while modernizing our facilities and services. Together we can build a
great new vision on our already solid foundation (kudos to outgoing Mayor Mike
Ross for a job well done). I would appreciate your vote on November 5th– Vote
Bryan Franklin for Mayor of Blythewood.
Call or text 803.800.3922. Thank you.
Gordge
Malcom Gordge, 71
Four years ago I was honored to be elected as a member of
Blythewood Town Council. It has been an extraordinary and rewarding experience
for me and I feel I can build upon that experience and serve Blythewood’s
residents as its Mayor.
My career with Spirax Sarco as Engineering Manager gave me
the opportunity to travel throughout the world giving me a broad perspective of
life and interacting with people to identify opportunities and solve
problems. Since retiring, I have found
that my life-time of experience has been of value in serving the Town as a
Councilman and chairing the Planning Commission before that. I also serve my
local neighborhood as a director of Ashley Oaks HOA and both my wife Emily and
I volunteer our time to the School Improvement Council for Muller Road Middle
School.
Having lived in Ashley Oaks since 2004 I have seen the
effect of unprecedented growth in the Blythewood area and this was the main
issue that concerned me and my neighbors and caused me to become active in the
affairs of the Town. I am not against development per se but it should achieve
at least one of two things: fulfill a need of the Town or improve the quality
of life for the residents of Blythewood.
In my view, Blythewood has far exceeded reasonable
residential growth and is at risk of losing the very assets that make
Blythewood a great place to live in, raise families and appreciate one another.
As Mayor I will do whatever is possible to preserve our
rural zones. The Town’s Zoning Ordinance is in need of simplifying and updating
and I will ensure that review takes place with your input.
I have been an active member of the Transportation Penny
Advisory Committee for Richland County to ensure that the $29 million allocated
to Blythewood is realized for the road improvements that will benefit everyone
using the roads in our Town.
In addition to the Richland Penny Program, I represent the
Town at the Central Midlands Council of Government and negotiated a cost
sharing study for a Traffic Improvement Plan for the Blythewood area which looks
at the road improvements needed for the traffic volume we are likely to see in
twenty years time.
Our Comprehensive Plan is due for an overhaul as we approach
the next decade and I am excited about driving that initiative forward. This is
particularly important with the 2020 Census approaching. Every resident needs
to complete the census so that Blythewood receives the full Federal funding it
is entitled to and make it work for us.
My vision is for an inclusive Blythewood that values its
cultural history and recognizes the value of all citizens. I have been proud to
chair the Committee for Black History month for the last three years and have
seen the value of this event which will continue to grow and develop.
As Mayor, I shall work diligently for you and for the good
of Blythewood.
BLYTHEWOOD – After much discussion among town and county
officials, the five members of the Blythewood Town Council voted unanimously
Wednesday to approve zoning for the remainder of a 1,300-acre site that
Richland County plans to turn into an industrial park.
The project site, located just west of Interstate 77 with
access points in the heart of Blythewood, has spurred controversy because of
anticipated traffic congestion and other impacts. But the council members said
they and county officials had reached a good compromise in a series of meetings.
“This is the way America should work,” said Mayor J. Michael
Ross shortly after the meeting began, referring to the process that he said
took into account both localities as well as the concerns expressed by the
public. “I’m proud of the town of Blythewood working this way – unlike
Washington, D.C.”
The vote took place Oct. 2 in a Wednesday morning special
called meeting. It was rescheduled after it had been announced at a prior
meeting that the vote would be taken on Monday, Sept. 30. Significantly fewer
opponents of the project were in attendance at the Wednesday meeting than had
attended previous regularly scheduled meetings on the issue.
Project details are spelled out in a declaration of
covenants, conditions and restrictions that includes what town leaders call a
key concession – veto power for a town representative (appointed by town
council) over several areas of the project. This person will sit on the
project’s design review committee along with two people appointed by the
county.
“Two members appointed by Richland County and one by the
town council. But this member gets a veto authority on eight different line
items,” said Town Councilman Bryan Franklin.
He said the veto power is important, as it represents an
assurance that Blythewood will have a say in the project as it moves forward.
He said the plan agreed upon was a compromise of “mutual respect.”
Richland County Councilman Calvin “Chip” Jackson was in
attendance and addressed the town council, expressing confidence that the
project as currently conceived would protect the livability of the Blythewood
community while building for the future – and that the industrial park would be
as good as any anywhere.
“I chair the economic development committee for Richland
County Council,” he said, “and in that role and that capacity, I want to make
sure that any development that’s occurring anywhere in our county represents
the best interest of development, it represents the best interest of our
county, it represents the best interest of our citizens and also of our
community.”
A couple of audience members also spoke against the project
during the public comment portion of the meeting, the final reading for
approval of the project which had previously divided the council 3-2.
“A disaster awaits the residents,” warned former town
councilman Tom Utroska. “I’ve done traffic planning for 45 years, and this is
not well thought out.”
Before voting for approval, the town council members spoke
about it in the context of broad issues: Blythewood’s past planning and current
growth trajectory, both of which they say dictate this type of development for
a site that’s for sale and well-situated in relation to infrastructure and transportation.
Town Councilman Malcolm Gordge said the town’s master plan
has included development of the site for a decade – and, as an opportunity and
economic climate emerged that enabled a plan to solidify, town officials had to
take a hard look at what kind of development would bring the biggest advantage
to the town.
“We don’t know what’s going to be within the park itself,”
he said, “but with the indications from the economic development council, the
plan looks far, far better to me than an intense residential development that
could add another 2,000 homes in that area, which would be the worst of all
things.”
Town Councilman Larry Griffin echoed the reality: whatever
type of development is done on the land – whether business or residential – it
will increase traffic. But Griffin, a lifelong Blythewood resident, said
ultimately growth has been a good thing.
“This is not perfect,” he said of the plan, “but I want you
to understand – you talk about change, and you talk about growth – you’re
talking to the wrong person here, because I’ve seen changes and growth that you
can’t believe.
“When you say, ‘I want to see Blythewood the way it used to
be’ – no, you don’t,” he said. “You want to see Blythewood the way you see it
and the way you moved to it. That’s not what it used to be…. Somewhere along
the line, you’ve got to trust this council that we may be doing the right
thing.”
In reference to the traffic issue, Ross said the potential
traffic snarl near Exit 27 will be solved by common sense, as both truck drivers
and employees who work in the park choose a different entrance and exit point
less bogged down by Blythewood commuters accessing the Interstate.
Also, he said, a planned road widening project will include
a traffic circle in front of the Cobblestone Park community to keep traffic
flowing smoothly.
“This is not going to be Killian Road,” he said. “There’s
not going to be car dealerships on these corners. There’s not going to be a
Walmart. You can’t put those there. We have ordinances against that.”
BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Town Council will take its second and final vote on whether to approve the rezoning of 162 acres from Development (D-1) to Limited Industrial 2 (LI2) at a special Called meeting to be held next Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. at The Manor.
The 162 acres is part of Richland County’s proposed 1,300 acre Blythewood Industrial Park.
A large crowd attended a controversial town council meeting Monday night to weigh in on an industrial park zoning requested by Richland County on property in Blythewood. Jeff Ruble, Director of the county’s Office of Economic Development, is shown at the podium. | Barbara Ball
BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County’s request for Blythewood Town
Council to rezone 162 acres between Fulmer Road and I-77 from Development (D-1)
to Limited Industrial 2 (LI2) hung by a thread Monday night. Things weren’t
looking good for approval when Councilman Bryan Franklin made a motion to defer
the issue until Monday, Sept. 30.
That motion passed 3-2 with Mayor J. Michael Ross and
Councilman Eddie Baughman voting against.
The acreage is part of the 1,300-acre Blythewood Industrial
Park the county is proposing to develop west of i-77. Much of that property is
in the Town of Blythewood.
At issue is the credibility of Richland County Council
concerning promised covenants and restrictions to protect the community from
any adverse effects that might arise from the industrial park.
“Tonight’s vote for or against is probably the most vital thing
to determine the future of Blythewood since I’ve lived here,” Cobblestone Park
resident John Moore said in his address to council during public input. “It is
my feeling that it is political suicide for Blythewood to vote ‘yes’ without
written assurances from Richland County regarding traffic, recreational areas,
fire protection, etc…I have absolutely no confidence in Richland County
Council,” Moore said. “I am not against the industrial park, but without
assurances, we are going down the wrong path.”
Cobblestone resident Tom Utroska agreed.
Utroska insisted that council maintain control over the
section of the industrial park that is in the Town of Blythewood.
“Richland County (should) agree to change the county’s
proposed covenants and restrictions to provide for the Blythewood
representative on the design review committee (for the industrial park) to have
veto power over the balance of the design review committee with regard to any
action occurring wholly or in part within the town limits of Blythewood. We
need to maintain our control,” Utroska said.
“I think this rezoning, if approved, should be contingent
upon a binding agreement between the town and Richland County similar to an IGA
(intergovernmental agreement) wherein Richland County agrees to a time frame
and funding for a new fire station near Blythewood Road to service the new
industrial park.” Utroska said. He also asked for full funding for the current
Blythewood fire station.
He also called for an agreement between the town, county and
SCDOT that addresses the use of Blythewood Road and the proposed traffic circle
at Community Road by truck traffic seeking ingress to and egress from the light
industrial park to development on Community Road.
“If we don’t maintain it, it will be a traffic nightmare,”
Utroska said.
Bill Shives, who’s residential property is adjacent to the
proposed industrial park, urged council to consider what they are getting ready
to turn Blythewood into.
“You say you want a class A industrial park,” Dennis Lane
resident Jim Christopher, a commercial real estate developer said. “The way to have a class A industrial park is
by putting covenants and restrictions in place. Reading it, I thought, ‘Well,
it could be worse.’”
But Christopher said he also felt it could be better.
“They [covenants and restrictions] don’t address traffic on
Blythewood Road, and nothing is dedicated to public spaces,” he said. “Nothing
about limiting railroad access. If you eliminate railroad, you won’t have a lot
of the noxious uses in the park. I’d like to see the design development
committee address that in [the covenants and restrictions].
When you put this document in place, that’s the most
restrictive it will ever be. It will go backwards from there. Developers ask
for this and that. Whatever you don’t get up front, you’re not going to get
later after you guys vote on it. You need to get it now, up front,” Christopher
said.
“Everyone wants a Class A industrial park,” he said. “So
let’s design that in to it.”
“We’re trying to do everything we can to work with you.”
Jeff Ruble of the Richland County Economic Development office, told the
speakers and council. “We’ve listened. We’ve heard everything you said. I
promise we’re not trying to do anything underhanded. We’re trying to work with
you as best we can. The reason we’re doing this is to create good jobs and to
bolster the tax base.”
Addressing traffic, Ruble said that any project in the park
over 25,000 square feet needs a traffic study.
“And that traffic study will lead to results,” Ruble said.
Middlefield Road resident, attorney Stuart Andrews,
disagreed.
“The reason traffic studies are inadequate,” Andrews said,
“is that in virtually every case, they result in the identification of what
improvements need to be made to accommodate increased traffic,” he said. “We
don’t want a larger road on Blythewood Road, or a four-lane road with several
traffic signals or even a six lane road with more traffic signals. That does
not protect the integrity of the community. It invites and encourages more and
more and more traffic. So traffic studies simply identify the increased volume
of traffic,” he said.
“And there are a couple of sleeper provisions that I hope
the council is aware of,” Andrews added. “First, there is an additional
property loophole that expands without approval, without review and without any
public participation. It is the incorporation of any unlimited amount of
additional property into the 1300 acre industrial park. Zoning of course, would
have to be complied with and as you say other laws would govern. But in the
absence of that, if zoning is consistent and it’s certainly outside the county,
the county can do whatever it wants. They can bring in other parcels that don’t
even have to be contiguous to the park. So they could go behind the elementary
school, behind Cobblestone and, frankly, anywhere they wanted to, and designate
the additional property as being part of this very industrial park. And that is
an ability that is open ended, without limitation. Without any review. It’s a
unilateral right the county has reserved to itself that I see no justification
for. I would suggest you strike it out,” Andrews said.
“There are a lot of things that can come up and bite us in
ways that are unintended and unexpected,” Andrews told council. “And that’s the
risk of rushing through too quickly with two days to review and negotiate it.
And we’d like to ask you to permit more time to review it.”
Ross, who has spoken in strong support of the industrial
park, said he believes the industrial park is the best and highest use for the
property.
“If the industrial park doesn’t go there,” Ross has said in
several meetings, “we could have thousands of more houses there and more
traffic.” He said the council has been working almost two years with the county
on the project.
Ross said Monday evening that the covenants and restrictions
would be voted on at a later time, perhaps a year later.
After the vote to defer, Ross suggested that the deferred
vote for the rezoning might be taken on Monday, Sept. 30 during a special
meeting called for the final vote on the sale of the Doko Depot.
However, on Tuesday, when asked by The Voice what leverage
would be available to the town to influence the covenants and restrictions if
they are negotiated after the vote is taken, Ross said he felt sure that the
county would have revised the covenants and restrictions and have them in place
before the rezoning vote. That vote, Ross said on Tuesday, might now be delated
until Wednesday or Thursday of next week when all five council members would be
available to vote.
Richland County Council passed first reading Tuesday evening
to rezone another parcel of the industrial park to Light Industrial (LI) that
is in the county. These are the last two parcels of the 1300 acres to be
rezoned.
For specific information about the date, time and location
of the Blythewood Town Council meeting, call town hall at 754-0501.
BLYTHEWOOD – The Voice newspaper will host the 2019
Blythewood Candidate Forum at Doko Manor on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The
forum will feature five candidates for town council and three for mayor.
In a departure from formats used for candidate forums in
years past, this year’s forum will follow a town hall format that will include
questions for candidates submitted by members of the audience who will be
identified when their questions are asked.
Council and mayoral candidates answer questions in two
rounds. Candidates for council will answer questions first and, after a
refreshment break, mayoral candidates will take the stage.
An added feature this year will be the awarding of six door
prizes, each in the amount of $100 for a specific item. Three will be awarded
prior to the council candidates’ session and three will be awarded prior to the
mayoral candidates’ session.
Candidates for mayor are former Blythewood Mayor Keith
Bailey and Town Councilmen Bryan S. Franklin and Malcolm P. Gordge. Candidates
for council are incumbent Town Councilman Eddie Baughman, Barry J. Belville,
Planning Commission Chairman Donald Beaton Brock, Jr., Planning Commissioner
Sloan Jarvis Griffin, III and former Planning Commissioner Marcus Taylor.
For information about the forum, contact The Voice at 803-767-5711 or email voice@blythewoodonline.com.
COLUMBIA – Richland County Planning Commissioners voted
unanimously Monday afternoon to recommend that Richland County Council approve
the rezoning of 483.55 acres of property adjacent to the Town of Blythewood –
456.01 of those acres would be zoned Light Industrial (LI) and 27.54 acres
would be zoned General Commercial (GC). The two parcels lie in Richland
County’s zoning jurisdiction and are bordered by Blythewood Road, I-77, Ashley
Oaks subdivision and North Pointe Industrial Park.
While Town Administrator Brian Cook was in attendance and
was asked several questions by the commissioners, no residents from the
Blythewood community attended the meeting. The rezoning request will go before
county council Sept. 24.
The two parcels are part of about 1,300 acres that the
county has been seeking to rezone for a Blythewood Industrial Park. The
remaining 864 acres of the proposed industrial park lie in the Town of
Blythewood.
“I feel that this (LI) rezoning request will create a positive economic impact in the area.”
Heather Carnes Richland County Planning Commissioner
While the county’s staff recommended disapproval of the
rezoning Monday afternoon, County Zoning Administrator and Deputy Planning
Director Geonard Price said that disapproval was based on the 2015
comprehensive plan which designates this area as neighborhood low density for
future land use.
“Within this zoning [neighborhood low density] designation,
the plan discourages industrial uses that will have significant community
impacts, meaning noise, exhaust or heavy traffic. The uses allowed under this
(LI) zoning district includes potential users which would be incompatible with
how this general area is currently developed,” Price said.
Price pointed out that the Town of Blythewood has already
rezoned (in 2015) about 678 acres of the 1,300 acres for Limited Industrial 2
(LI2) uses and is in the process of rezoning 163 more acres as LI2. Town
council will have second reading on the 163 acres on Sept. 23.
“I point that out,” Price said, “because when you compare
the location of that zoning request to what has been proposed, it may make this
more compatible with the surrounding area.”
In 2015, the county persuaded the Town to rezone the 678
acres to LI2, a new zoning designation created by the Town for county officials
for that property. County asked Blythewood for the rezoning at that time for an
industry it said was coming to the property. After the rezoning, the industry
never materialized. At a recent town meeting, county officials disclosed that
the rezoning of the 678 acres was part of their five-year master plan for a
Blythewood Industrial Park.
Jeff Rubble, director of the county’s economic development
office, told commissioners that since March, his office has taken all the steps
to get the zoning approved so the county could sell bonds to purchase the
entire 1,300 acres. He said the bond closing is set for Nov. 1.
“The folks that would purchase the bonds told us they want
to see the land zoned consistent with how it will be used. And that’s why we’re
going through this rezoning process before we purchase the land.” Rubble said.
“We want to build a tax base, create quality jobs. This is another big, big
piece. This is the next two decades of growth. We want to reserve the front
edge along Blythewood Road for mixed use development, hotels, high end
restaurants, offices. We don’t want growth to happen to us. We want to do what
we want to do proactively.” Rubble said. “This is a major step.”
Asked by Commissioner Heather Carnes what makes the area
particularly appropriate for this industrial use, Tiffany Harrison, also with
the Richland County Economic Development office, said it is prime for
industrial grade use.
“You have full infrastructure out there. You have 15 million
gallons a day of water, telecommunications infrastructure, access to the land
from two interchanges,” Harrison said. ”The area is primed for growth and
development. It’s the idea of setting aside property to bring in industry to
create jobs, to invest in the community. That’s what we’re trying to do here.”
“With I-77, we’ve had companies like Sony, IBM, United Technologies all come in and buy big tracts of land,” Rubble said. “The interchanges at Farrow Road, Clemson Road, Highway 21 and Blythewood Road have all been swallowed up by commercial and residential. Some of these sites were our best industrial sites but were bought by car dealerships, etc. It (industrial land) just keeps disappearing. If we don’t act, this, too, will get swallowed up.”
In making a motion for a recommendation of approval of the
rezoning requests for the two parcels, Commissioner Carnes said her reason for
going against the comp plan is that this is an opportunity to create a unique,
well situated industrial park for the future.
“The comp plan just didn’t anticipate this opportunity. But
now that it presents itself to us, I think we should encourage it,” Carnes
said. “I feel that this rezoning request will create a positive economic impact
in the area.”
Asked by Commissioner Wallace Brown if the county’s request
is compatible with what the Town of Blythewood has in mind, Cook said it is.
“Yes, based on the town council tying it together with the
covenants and restrictions and their overall idea behind this project. But we
need these assurances in place with the covenants and restrictions,” Cook said.
Richland County Council will meet Sept. 24 in council
chambers at 2020 Hampton Street in Columbia, to consider the planning
commission’s recommendation.
