Darlington County Council considering zoning ordinance

Darlington County Council will consider a new ordinance regarding zoning around the Pocket Road and Cashua Ferry Road area. Council voted to research the proposal made by Dr. Avie Rainwater at today’s meeting.

Rainwater went before council to ask that council follow an ordinance by Edgefield County that allowed residents in one specific area of the county to be responsible for the businesses and farms that inhabit the area as opposed to a comprehensive zoning plan. Rainwater said he knew of the vast undertaking of a comprehensive zoning plan but suggested that council pass an ordinance that would allow residents of one specific area, such as Pocket Road and Cashua Ferry Road, to decide the uses of the land.

Rainwater presented a petition to council members signed by what he said was “most of the residents of the area.” Those who signed would like an ordinance that would allow the land use to be their collective decision, he said.

Rainwater added they would like to keep farmers from constructing and operating factory-type farms in that area.

Scott Haselden of Haselden Farms received initial clearance from DHEC last week to continue with a factory-type turkey farm in that area.

Rainwater and council member Le Flowers got into a pointed discussion regarding whether or not the issue would be legal since the farm would be directed at Haselden Farms. Rainwater insisted the ordinance would be directed at all factory farms that might consider moving into the area and not solely Hasleden Farms.

Council Chairman Billy Baldwin proposed a motion for council to research and consider the ordinance. The motion passed; both council members Anne Warr and Alex “Buz” Shaw, however, cautioned council of thwarting a business looking to move into the area in the midst of an economic crisis.

In other news, council also held first reading of ordinance 08-23, which would provide a fee in lieu of ad valorem property taxes and allow special source revenue credits to an expansion by the Nucor Corporation. The expansion is for capital improvements and would not add any more jobs to the plant.

Council also heard from Robert Long, director of the Darlington County Economic Development Partnership, regarding a request made by a new company that would like to move into the Ahlstrom building. The company is asking council to offer $50,000 to aid with the cost of repairs on the roof of the existing building. The total renovation of the building is a $1.5 million project, Long said, and the new company could create up to 25 new jobs. The request was approved.

Council will meet again on Monday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. at at the Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Hwy., Darlington.