[00:02:54]
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, ARE WE ON AIR?
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, EVERYONE.
WE ARE GOING TO START THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY COUNCILMAN BO WHITE. PLEASE RISE.
>> WE ALL BOWER HEADS, PLEASE.
HERE, FATHER AS WE APPROACH THE THANKSGIVING SEASON WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS TO THE MANY BLESSINGS WE'VE HAD BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY AS RESIDENTS AS A CITY AND GUIDE US BETWEEN NOW AND THE REST OF THE YEAR TO BE WISE IN OUR DECISIONS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF OUR LIVES.
>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OUR SERVICEMEN WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM, AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE AROUND THE WORLD, PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE.
PLEASE TAKE PARTICULAR NOTE ON THIS COMING TUESDAY AS WE CELEBRATE THEIR DAY ON VETERANS DAY. THANK YOU.
>> I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS IS A CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING 205 MAIN STREET, HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025 AT 4:00 PM.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO TODAY'S AGENDA.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE TODAY'S AGENDA.
[00:05:02]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> AYE. NEXT, WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION, DISCUSSION OF EMPLOYMENT, APPOINTMENT, COMPENSATION, PROMOTION, DEMOTION, DISCIPLINE, OR RELEASE OF AN EMPLOYEE, A STUDENT, OR A PERSON REGULATED BY A PUBLIC BODY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAW, 30-4-781.
WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE CITY ATTORNEY ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND THE CITY MANAGER ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
WE WILL RETURN PROMPTLY AT 5:00 PM.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> MOTION TO GO TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> AYE. WE WILL RETURN AT 5:00 PM.
[00:30:15]
[00:46:11]
[01:02:08]
[01:02:10]
WE DID START THE MEETING AT FOUR O'CLOCK.[01:02:14]
WE HAD THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.[01:02:17]
AT THAT TIME WE HAD A VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION,[01:02:22]
AND WE HAVE APPROVED THE AGENDA.[01:02:24]
AT THIS TIME, OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS[01:02:28]
A MOTION TO COME BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION INTO REGULAR SESSION.[01:02:35]
MAY I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE?[01:02:36]
>> MOTION TO COME BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE HAVE NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, SO WE'RE GOING INTO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, AND WE ARE GOING TO START WITH GREAT NEWS FROM BLUFFTON SELF HELP BY MISS COURTNEY HAMPSON. WELCOME.
>> HI. THANK YOU. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> PLEASE FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION?
>> YES. MY NAME IS COURTNEY HAMPSON.
I'M THE CEO OF BLUFFTON SELF HELP.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IN 2021, AFTER 34 YEARS OF SERVING BLUFFTON EXCLUSIVELY, SELF HELP BEGAN SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS IN HARDEEVILLE.
WE BEGAN BY BORROWING A LITTLE SPACE IN THE LIBRARY, OFFERING A COMPUTER LAB AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASS FOR JUST SIX ADULT LEARNERS.
I'M FROM NEW JERSEY. I CAN BE LOUD IF THE MICS DON'T WORK.
IN 2022, WE MOVED OUR CLASSES INTO THE NEW REC CENTER, WHICH ALLOWED US TO OFFER CLASSES FOUR DAYS A WEEK, SO WE WERE STEADILY GROWING.
SINCE THEN, WE HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 270 ADULT STUDENTS IN HARDEEVILLE.
AS EACH ONE HAS BECOME BILINGUAL, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE THE EARNING POTENTIAL, STRENGTHEN THE WORKFORCE, AND THIS COMMUNITY.
NEARLY 59% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN JASPER COUNTY ARE ECONOMICALLY AT RISK.
NOT EARNING A LIVABLE WAGE, WHICH IS $65,000 FOR A FAMILY OF THREE.
THEY ARE JUST ONE MISHAP AWAY FROM A FINANCIAL CRISIS.
THEY ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, AND THEY ARE STILL BARELY GETTING BY.
MANY OF THEM ARE SINGLE PARENTS, AND 18% OF THEM ARE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, WHICH IS JUST $25,000 A YEAR.
WE KNOW THAT EDUCATION AND LITERACY ARE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS WHEN IT COMES TO INCOME AND SERVES AS A PREDICTOR FOR POVERTY.
22% OF OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE LOW LITERACY, MEANING THEY READ BELOW AN EIGHTH GRADE LEVEL, WHICH AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO EARN A LIVABLE WAGE.
IN FACT, WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST FEW YEARS DETERMINING HOW WE CAN STEP IN, STEP UP, AND BETTER SERVE AND SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY.
[01:05:02]
I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT SELF HELP IS EXPANDING OUR PROGRAMS BY ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED SPACE HERE IN HARDEEVILLE, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS FAST GROWING COMMUNITY, OR AT LEAST RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.WE ARE MAKING AN INITIAL $1 MILLION INVESTMENT TO UPFIT A BUILDING THAT WILL ALLOW US TO REACH OUR NEIGHBORS AND DEEPEN OUR IMPACT.
OUR NEW 5,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ON SPEEDWAY BOULEVARD, JUST OFF EXIT 5 WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND OUR REACH TO HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLDS.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMMING BEYOND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE.
WE WILL OFFER GED CLASSES TO STRENGTHEN THE LITERACY OF OUR WORKFORCE, FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES TO HELP FAMILIES WORK THROUGH THEIR BUDGET, CREDIT, DEBT, AND SAVINGS, DIGITAL LITERACY TO UPSKILL THESE NEIGHBORS, RESUME WRITING, AND INTERVIEW WORKSHOPS, AND MORE.
WE WILL HAVE A FULL TIME CLIENT ADVOCATE ON SITE TO PROVIDE ONE ON ONE CASE MANAGEMENT, WE WILL HAVE A DEDICATED SPACE TO SERVE AS A HUB FOR OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN US IN MEETING THESE RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE IN ONE SPACE WITHOUT A TRANSPORTATION BARRIER.
ULTIMATELY, WE WILL DEPLOY OUR MOBILE MARKET, WHICH WILL BRING FREE FRESH GROCERIES TO THESE NEIGHBORS.
WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE LAYER SERVICES FOR A FAMILY, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED, AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO JUST THAT RIGHT HERE.
BEYOND OUR INITIAL INVESTMENT, WE WILL BE INVESTING MORE THAN $300,000 A YEAR IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SPACE FOR US, IT IS ABOUT VISIBILITY.
IT IS ABOUT GAINING THE RESPECT OF OUR NEIGHBORS SO THAT THEY ALLOW US INTO THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP THEM MORE.
WE WILL CREATE A WELCOMING PRESENCE.
WE WILL REDUCE BARRIERS AND MEET THESE NEIGHBORS WHERE THEY ARE.
WE WILL BUILD LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO MULTIPLY OUR REACH.
WE WILL SHARE THEIR STORIES SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE LIFE CHANGING IMPACT WE CAN MAKE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.
OUR ARCHITECT HAS COMPLETED A FLOOR PLAN AND THE MECHANICAL DRAWINGS.
I AM WORKING THROUGH THE BUILDER ESTIMATES NOW.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN HAVE PERMITS AND BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AFTER THE START OF THE NEW YEAR WITH A COMPLETION IN MAY.
PLEASE KNOCK WOOD, WHEREVER THAT MIGHT BE.
BUT ULTIMATELY, OUR WORK DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT PARTNERSHIPS.
REALLY, I AM HERE TO THANK YOU FOR LETTING US TIPTOE INTO HARDEEVILLE.
FOUR YEARS AGO, YOU WELCOMED US.
YOU WORKED WITH US, AND TOGETHER, I KNOW THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE A TRUSTED PLACE THAT THEY CAN TURN TO IN TIMES OF NEED. THANK YOU.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS [APPLAUSE]
>> COURTNEY, WHERE EXACTLY IS IT?
>> IT'S JUST SOUTH OF EXIT 5 UNDER THE MIKE HOSTO BILLBOARD IS HOW I KNOW WHEN TO TURN LEFT.
THERE ARE 11 NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS GOING UP THERE, AND WE HAVE BUILDING TWO.
THE EXTERIOR STRUCTURES ARE COMPLETE, SO NOW WE WILL GO IN AND DO THE INTERIOR UPFIT TO CREATE THE CLASSROOMS AND A COMPUTER LAB AND OFFICE SPACES.
>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR COURTNEY?
>> WELCOME, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY PROCLAMATION.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR I THINK SINCE 2020.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE THING AGAIN.
I'M JUST GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.
THERE'S A LOT OF PERCENTAGES IN ALL THE WHEREASES THAT WE HAVE.
FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, BECAUSE WE HAVE A BUSY AGENDA, BUT I'LL READ THE FINAL.
WHEREAS, THE GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS OF HARDEEVILLE ARE ENHANCED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF INCREASED AWARENESS ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS AND RISK OF PANCREATIC CANCER AND RESEARCH INTO EARLY DETECTION.
>> WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO START? WHEREAS THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED AN ESTIMATED 510,992 NEW PANCREATIC CANCER CASES DIAGNOSED WORLDWIDE IN 2022.
WHEREAS THE GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS OF HARDEEVILLE ARE ENHANCED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF INCREASED AWARENESS
[01:10:03]
ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS AND RISKS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AND RESEARCH INTO EARLY DETECTION CAUSES AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT MR. HARRY WILLIAMS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, PROCLAIMS NOVEMBER 20 AS WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.>> COUNSEL, COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO ENDORSE THIS PROCLAMATION?
>> I'D LOVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENDORSE THE PROCLAMATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
I WOULD LIKE TO GET CONTROL OF MYSELF DO THIS IN MEMORY OF MY BROTHER, WHO DIED ON AUGUST, 2020 OF PANCREATIC CANCER.
>> ENOUGH OF THAT. NEXT, WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION, APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 10, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND THE OCTOBER 16, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE MINUTES FOR THOSE TWO MEETINGS.
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 10 AND THE OCTOBER 16 MINUTES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? ON FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE. THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
THIS IS A RATHER LENGTHY READING.
FOR FULL DETAILS OF THIS ITEM, ON THIS IS AGENDA OR ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-10-16 C, PLEASE REFER TO THE PUBLIC PUBLISHED AGENDA.
WE HAVE NOW, A PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT THIS, WHICH IS THE ASSESSMENT ROLE OF THE HILTON HEAD LAKES DISTRICT.
MR. GRUBER, COULD YOU JUST GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THIS?
>> YES, SIR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
THIS IS SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE THAT AUTHORIZES THE BORROWING OF NOT TO EXCEED $47,100,000 TO BE USED TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE HILTON HEAD LAKES WEST DEVELOPMENT.
THE BOND PROCEEDS WOULD BE REPAID FROM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE PLACED ON PROPERTIES WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY AS IDENTIFIED AS ASSESSMENT A.
THIS HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN TO COUNSEL BEFORE.
IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED AT WORKSHOP.
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS FROM WHEN THIS APPEARED BEFORE YOU AT FIRST READING.
>> AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME TO GIVE ANY COMMENTS OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING A SECOND READING OF THIS ORDINANCE.
SEEING NONE, I'LL NOW ASK THE COUNSEL IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS AND START WITH MR. MUSMAN.
>> WE HAVE COVERED MOST EVERYTHING IN THIS ORDINANCE.
I'M VERY HAPPY THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS TAKEN THE STAND ON THE WAY THE NOTIFICATION WILL BE TO THE FUTURE HOMEOWNERS WITHIN THIS DEVELOPMENT AS FAR AS THE SCHEDULE OF WHAT THIS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IS.
I THINK IT'S A UNIQUE THING THAT WE'VE DONE, AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL USE IT AGAIN, IF NECESSARY. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MUSMAN. MRS. GUZMAN.
>> I THINK STEVE'S POINTS ARE WELL TAKEN, AND I THINK WE DID A GOOD JOB GETTING THE FACTS TOGETHER ON THAT.
STEVE, I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID.
>> I AGREE. WE DISCUSSED THIS IN WORKSHOP AND WHATEVER, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> I DON'T EITHER. BUT FOR THE PUBLIC'S EDIFICATION, THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE HAVE HAD WORKSHOPS, THE FIRST READING.
WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS AT GREAT LENGTH,
[01:15:02]
AND THE COUNCIL HAS STUDIED THIS.THAT'S WHY WE'VE EXHAUSTED ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE HAD PRIOR TO THIS READING.
HAVING SAID THAT, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-10-16 C.
>> I CAN MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-10-16 C.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> AYE. ALL OPPOSED. THAT ORDINANCE HAS PASSED.
THIS IS FIRST READING TO AMEND THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, BUSINESS LICENSE ORDINANCE BY UPDATING APPENDANCE B OF THE CLASS SCHEDULE AS REQUIRED BY ACT 176 OF 2020.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-11-06 A. MR. GRUBER, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL TRY NOT TO STEAL SOME OF MS. JORDAN'S THUNDER, BUT SUMMARIZE THIS ITEM JUST BY SAYING IT IS PRIMARILY A HOUSEKEEPING MATTER.
WE, AS A JURISDICTION, ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO UPDATE OUR BUSINESS LICENSE TAX TABLES.
THIS IS A REQUIRED ACTION THAT WE HAVE TO DO PERIODICALLY.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MS. JORDAN. TELL YOU MORE ABOUT IT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JORDAN.
I WORK IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, JUST GIVING A BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE BUSINESS LICENSE CLASSIFICATION CHANGES FOR 2026.
THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION REQUIRES MUNICIPALITIES TO ADOPT THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE ACCORDING TO SOUTH CAROLINA ACT 176.
AS REQUIRED, THE CLASS SCHEDULE UPDATES, USE THE LATEST STATISTICAL DATA FROM THE IRS, WHICH THEY RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.
THESE UPDATES MUST BE ADOPTED BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO ADDRESS LICENSING RENEWALS.
AS WELL AS NEW BUSINESSES THAT WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY OF 2026.
>> ON THIS SLIDE HERE, YOU'LL SEE THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 1,600 ACTIVE BUSINESS LICENSES IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
OUT OF THOSE, THIS WILL ROUGHLY AFFECT 340 BUSINESSES.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE POTENTIAL TOTAL NET LOSS IS $2,150 WITH THOSE CHANGES.
HERE IS OUR BUSINESS LICENSE CLASSIFICATION AND RATE SCHEDULE.
THIS JUST SHOWS CURRENT BUSINESSES AND NEW BUSINESSES WHAT THEIR NEW CLASSIFICATION WILL BE STARTING JANUARY 1.
THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT FOR YOU GUYS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
>> JORDAN, COULD YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE NUMBER 3, I THINK?
NOW, YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A NET LOSS OF INCOME?
>> WHAT SLIDE WAS THAT? THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. IT WAS THREE?
>> YES. IT AFFECTS ROUGHLY 340 BUSINESSES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE BY CHANGING THOSE CLASSIFICATIONS THAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE IN.
IT PUTS THEM IN A NEW CLASS RATE.
THE NET LOSS ACCOUNTS FOR THOSE CHANGES THAT WILL BE MADE.
MR CARL, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THAT'S STILL A LITTLE CONFUSING, WHY THERE'S A NET LOSS.
>> IF YOU SEE THAT, YOU'VE GOT SIX BUSINESS CLASSIFICATIONS.
MINING AND TRANSPORTATION, AND WAREHOUSING WILL, ULTIMATELY, PAY MORE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING FROM A CLASS 1 TO A CLASS 3 OR A CLASS 2.
THE OTHER FOUR ARE ALL GOING DOWN.
OUR RATE SCHEDULE IS BASED ON THOSE CLASSES.
SOME WILL GO UP, SOME WILL GO DOWN.
THE NET EFFECT OF THAT IS ABOUT $2,000 LESS.
ASSUMING THAT THEIR GROSS PROFITS WERE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.
>> GOT IT. THAT'S IT, MR MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
[01:20:01]
>> SAME QUESTION, ASKED AND ANSWERED.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO THAT QUESTION, AND WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR SOME GOING UP AND SOME GOING DOWN?
>> BASED ON THE DATA FROM THE IRS.
>> THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE COLLECTS INFORMATION FROM BUSINESSES PRIMARILY ON THEIR PROFITABILITY.
THE MORE PROFITABLE A BUSINESS, THE HIGHER CLASSIFICATION IT GOES INTO.
WHEN THEY GET THEIR DATA BACK ON THE PROFITABILITY OF THOSE BUSINESSES, THEY MAY MOVE ONE FROM ONE CLASS TO ANOTHER BASED UPON THE DATA THAT THEY'RE SEEING REGARDING THAT PROFITABILITY.
BASICALLY, THE THOUGHT BEING, IF YOU MAKE MORE MONEY, YOU PAY MORE MONEY.
THIS IS REALLY IRS INFORMATION.
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OFFER THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE.
SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-11-06A.
>> MR MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ON FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2025-11-06A.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY THE COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE, SAY AYE.
>> THE SECOND READING WILL BE TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.
NOW, FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, PARCEL 039-08-149 LOCATED ON HONEYSUCKER ROAD, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 45 ACRES FROM UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY, NOT ALREADY WITHIN HARDEEVILLE CITY LIMITS, AS WELL AS ALL ADJACENT PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY, RAILROAD RIGHTS OF WAY, WATERS, LOWLANDS, AND WETLANDS.
THIS IS THE PLEASANT BROOK DEVELOPMENT, AND THIS HAS THREE ORDINANCES THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE VOTES ON ALL THREE SEPARATELY AND PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ALL THREE, THAT YOU'RE WELCOME TO ASK QUESTIONS OF ANY OF THE THREE ITEMS DURING THE FIRST SEGMENT.
HAVING SAID THAT, MR GRUBER, YOU PASS AN OFFER TO MISS WOOD.
>> WE'LL HEAR IN JUST A SECOND.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO JUST SUMMARIZE FOR THE PUBLIC'S BENEFIT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THE MAYOR MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE THREE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.
THE FIRST ITEM IS WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY WILL ANNEX PROPERTY THAT IS CURRENTLY IN UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY INTO THE CITY LIMITS. THAT'S ITEM B.
THE SECOND ITEM, THEN, ITEM C, IS THE REZONING OF THAT PROPERTY.
IF IT IS BROUGHT INTO THE CITY, THE CITY HAS TO ESTABLISH THE ZONING THAT WILL BE APPLIED TO THAT PROPERTY.
THEN THE LAST ONE IS AN INITIAL MASTER PLAN, AND THAT'S WHERE IT REALLY SETS FORTH HOW THE PROPERTY WOULD BE USED IF IT'S BROUGHT INTO THE CITY, AND IT'S GIVEN THE PDD ZONING CLASSIFICATION THAT IT'S ASKED FOR.
HAVING TEED IT UP LIKE THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO KATIE AND LET HER TAKE IT FROM THERE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS ONE'S BEEN AN INTERESTING RIDE.
IT CAME TO YOU FOR A WORKSHOP BEFORE THEY CAME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION BECAUSE OF THE ANNEXATION REQUEST.
FROM THERE, THEY ALSO SPOKE TO THE COMMUNITY BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
AT THE FIRST PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, I'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS IN A MINUTE, BUT THE ITEM WAS ACTUALLY TABLED AND DUE TO SOME CONCERNS THAT STAFF AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD.
HOWEVER, WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE WHO GOT UP AND SPOKE AFTER THE MOTION WAS MADE, THAT THEY WERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF HONEYSUCKER ROAD, AND THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE HAPPY WITH THE PRODUCT AND WANTED IT.
IT CAME BACK TO PLANNING COMMISSION WITH SOME IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH I'LL GO THROUGH.
THEN SOME OF THE DETAILS THAT I WOULD NORMALLY GO OVER ARE ACTUALLY IN THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION.
FOR THE SAKE OF NOT HAVING REDUNDANCY TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THEM AFTER A COUPLE OF SLIDES HERE.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED OFF OF FREEDOM PARKWAY HERE, AND HONEYSUCKER ROAD RUNS BETWEEN THESE PARCELS.
[01:25:01]
NOT A RIGHT AWAY.IT'S ACTUALLY A PARCEL, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES THIS PARCEL CONTIGUOUS HERE.
THE FRONT PARCEL HERE IS ACTUALLY ALREADY IN THE CITY LIMITS.
THE EQUESTRIAN PARCEL BACK HERE, WHICH IS PROPOSED TO REMAIN EQUESTRIAN, IS CURRENTLY AN UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY.
THE PROPOSED CONCEPT PLAN IS SHOWN HERE; AGAIN, THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER STAYS EXISTING.
THEN THERE ARE TWO STRUCTURES SHOWN HERE, WHICH THE APPLICANT WILL GET INTO MORE DETAIL ON HOW THOSE FUNCTION.
BUT THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL, MAYBE SMALL, LIKE HVAC COMPANIES, SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE THAT, POTENTIAL, LIKE A GYM, BUT SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE NEEDED IN THIS AREA.
THE PROPOSED PLAN DEVELOPMENT, THAT FRONT PARCEL IS EIGHT ACRES.
IT'S CURRENTLY ZONED HARDEEVILLE, SAVANNAH TRACT PDD.
IT WAS BROUGHT IN IN 2011, AND THERE WAS NEVER A DA EXECUTED FOR THAT PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THIS PARCEL IS CONSIDERED AN ORPHAN PARCEL BECAUSE IT AGAIN, IS OUT HERE ON ITS OWN.
IT'S DISCONNECTED BY OTHER PARCELS FROM THE CITY LIMITS. COME ON QUICKER.
HERE WE GO. THE APPLICANT IS ADDING THE ADDITIONAL 45 ACRES BECAUSE OUR MZDO REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 10 ACRES FOR AN INITIAL MASTER PLAN.
AGAIN, THE STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION INITIALLY HAD CONCERNS WITH THE COMPATIBILITY WITH THE EXISTING RURAL RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY, AND SO BASED ON THAT, THE APPLICANT, AFTER THE SEPTEMBER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, CHANGED THE ALLOWED LAND USES TO REFLECT A MORE NEIGHBORHOOD-FRIENDLY CONCEPT AND SERVICE CONCEPT.
THEY ALSO PUT SOME ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SCALE OF THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS TO KEEP THEM WITH COMPATIBILITY TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
A MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF 35 FEET IS PROPOSED, AND THERE'S A LOW COUNTRY VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WHICH THE APPLICANT WILL SHOW YOU IN THEIR PRESENTATION.
THEN WE REQUESTED AND UPDATED BJWSA LETTER FOR INTENT TO SERVE.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO INVITE JORDAN UP HERE, AND IF HE COULD INTRODUCE HIMSELF, AND WE WILL.
THIS ACTS AS A COMPUTER, AND THEN THE LASER YOU HAVE TO HOLD DOWN THE TOP AND POINT TO THAT ONE.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. HELLO. I'M JORDAN HOLLOWAY, ON BEHALF OF PRICHARD FARM, LLC.
THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR WALKING US THROUGH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND HELPING US THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS, SO YOU CAN SEE THE OVERVIEW HERE THAT SHE WENT OVER PREVIOUSLY.
THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE IN-DEPTH AS FAR AS THE SUMMARY GOES.
WE'D LIKE TO HAVE MULTI-USE, AND YOU CAN SEE HERE IN THE BOTTOM LEFT INSERT IS TWO PROPOSED BUILDINGS WITH FIVE OR SIX TENANT SPACES PER BUILDING.
THOSE CAN BE CONFIGURED AS THE POTENTIAL FUTURE TENANTS COME ONLINE.
WE COULD ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE IF THEY WANT TO HAVE A GYM VERSUS AN HVAC COMPANY.
WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO SO TO PROVIDE THOSE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA.
LIKE THE STAFF SAID, THE ONLY REASON WE'RE ANNEXING THIS PROPERTY, THIS IS THE EQUESTRIAN FACILITY, IS SO WE MEET THAT ACREAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE INITIAL MASTER PLAN.
THIS IS A BRIEF TIMELINE RECAP.
WE HAD OUR COMMUNITY MEETING BACK IN APRIL OF 2025, AND OUR TWO PLANNING COMMISSION DATES, AND THEN THAT BRINGS US TO HERE TONIGHT.
HERE'S A SHORT LIST OF ALLOWED USES.
I'M SURE IN YOUR PACKET, YOU SAW THE WHOLE LONG DOCUMENT THAT HAS EVERY SINGLE USE POSSIBLE THAT WE ARE PROPOSING.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT ONCE I'M DONE GETTING THROUGH HERE.
TO GO OVER BRIEFLY JUST THE INS AND OUTS OF THIS.
HONEYSUCKER ROAD, AS IT IS CONFIGURED RIGHT NOW, GOES THROUGH THE PARCEL IN THIS DIRECTION.
WE WOULD SHIFT THAT FURTHER TO THE EAST, OFF TO THE SIDE.
WE ARE ALSO PROPOSING A DECELERATION RIGHT TURN LANE ON FREEDOM PARKWAY TO GET INTO THE SITE, AS WAS INDICATED BY THE TRAFFIC STUDY.
THESE ARE THE CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS.
GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VIEWS.
THIS IS IF YOU WERE LOOKING DIRECTLY DOWN HONEYSUCKER ROAD FROM FREEDOM PARKWAY.
OUT IN FRONT, WE DO HAVE A STORMWATER FEATURE WITH LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING.
[01:30:05]
THIS IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROJECT, LOOKING AT IT ON FREEDOM PARKWAY.THIS IS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DOWN, LOOKING ON THAT BACKSIDE.
THIS IS IF YOU WERE HEADING WEST ON FREEDOM PARKWAY COMING UP TO HONEYSUCKER ROAD.
THE STORMWATER SYSTEM WILL BE DESIGNED FOR FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY OF HARDEEVILLE STANDARDS.
WELL IN DELINEATION HAS BEEN DONE.
CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY HAS BEEN DONE, AS WELL AS TIA, WITH UPDATED UTILITIES SERVICE ARE TENDS TO SERVE LETTERS, ALL UTILITIES TO BE INSTALLED UNDERGROUND, EXCEPT ABOVE GROUND WHERE REQUIRED.
TREE PRESERVATION, BUFFERS, AND LANDSCAPING WILL MEET ALL CITY MDDO STANDARDS, AND OPEN SPACE EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED AS WELL.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I CAN GO BACK TO ANY SIDE YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF.
>> AT THIS TIME, IF YOU'RE FINISHED, LET'S GIVE THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING THIS.
THERE WAS A STATEMENT MADE THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS IN FAVOR OF THIS.
IF THERE'S ANYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT, I'M SURE THE COUNCIL WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD.
>> WELL, SIR, THOMAS ROBERTS, I LIVE ON HONEYSUCKER ROAD, AND AS I'VE TOLD MR HOLLOWAY HERE, I HOPE THAT THE COUNTY CITY DOES NOT TAKE MY LAND IN.
I WANT TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTY.
WE GET ALONG GOOD, BUT MY WIFE AND I DO NOT WANT IT, AND MY SON DOESN'T EITHER.
COULD YOU SHOW US WHERE YOUR 10 ACRES ARE?
>> HIS PROPERTY IS [BACKGROUND].
>> I WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL RESIDENTS FROM THERE.
>> AM I LOOKING AT THIS WRONG? IS THAT PART OF THE ANNEXATION?
>> WE JUST DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE CITY, [LAUGHTER] THAT'S ALL.
WE'RE IN THE COUNTY, AND I'VE TOLD HIM, I DON'T WANT YOU ALL TO TAKE ME IN THE CITY.
I GOT NOTHING AGAINST THE CITY, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE CITY.
>> THIS CAME UP AT THE WORKSHOP THE OTHER DAY AND BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN.
THE CITY CANNOT ANNEX ANYTHING ACCEPT BY APPLICATION OF THE LANDOWNERS.
YOU HAVE TO APPLY TO COME IN THE CITY, AND THEN WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WANT YOU IN THE CITY.
[OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] PLEASE, WE CANNOT TAKE OVER YOUR LAND UNLESS YOU SELL IT TO US.
>> I TOLD HIM, I DO NOT WANT IT FROM THE TIME I MET HIM.
LEAVE ME OUT OF THE CITY. HE'LL TELL YOU, I'VE BEEN JUMPING UP DOWN ABOUT IT. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THERE.
MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT FROM JOHN RHODES BACK IN JUNE OF 1991, WE HAD THE ORIGINAL RESIDENTS, IT WAS AN EASEMENT IN, AND THEY PURCHASED IT, WHICH I DON'T KNOW WHEN, BUT THEY PURCHASED IT RECENTLY.
BUT WE STILL GOT ACCESS AND THAT CAN NEVER CHANGE, BUT HE'S GOING TO CHANGE THE ROAD ONE DAY AS HE SAID.
WE KNEW THAT FROM JOHN RHODES BACK 1991.
ALL IT'S GOING TO DO IS CHANGE THE ENTER MY DRIVEWAY AND CURVE OVER AND GO DOWN MY SON'S LAND THAT WE GAVE HIM BECAUSE HIS TWO ACRES JOINS OUR 10 ACRES.
YOU'VE GIVEN US I FEEL SO REJECTED. [LAUGHTER]
>> I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE, SIR, BUT HERE TO FEEL THE SAME AS I DO.
I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE CITY.
BUT I'M NOT IN MY CITY. I DON'T WANT TO BE A CITY SLAYER.
>> IT BROKE MY HEART. BUT IT'S YOUR CHOICE.
>> WE WON'T BE LOOKING FOR THAT CHRISTMAS CARD [LAUGHTER]
>> ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC BEFORE I TURN IT OVER FOR COUNSEL QUESTIONING? MR. CARROLL, YOU WANT TO START OFF WITH ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE?
>> MR. MAYOR, I DON'T AT THIS TIME, THINK I HAVE ANY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD THIS IN THE WORKSHOP JUST THE OTHER DAY.
I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
[01:35:01]
>> IT'S NOT REQUIRED. MR. WHITE.
>> I THINK WE COVER IT IN THE WORKSHOP.
I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE DRAIN FIELD, THE SEPTIC SYSTEM.
I SEE THAT THERE IS A POND AT THE OTHER END THERE.
WHERE DOES THAT POND? WHERE IS IT GOING TO DRAIN?
>> THAT POND, I BELIEVE, DISCHARGES, EVAN.
DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME OUT ON THIS ONE? THE ONE QUESTION I DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO, AND YOU HAD TO ASK IT. THAT'S FINE.
>> YES, SURE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEN.
MY NAME IS EVAN DIXON, AND I WORK FOR TOMAS AND HUTTON.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON DRAINAGE AND SEWER.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION REGARDING THE SANITARY DRAIN FIELD, THERE'S REQUIREMENTS BY DES, THAT IT HAS TO BE A MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM ANY BODY OF WATER FEATURE.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE PLANS, WE'VE MADE SURE THAT THE POND IS A DISTANCE THAT'S ADEQUATE FROM THE DRAIN FIELD.
>> IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A FLOOD, EVER SINCE I GOT ON COUNSEL, I'VE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT STUFF THAT I DIDN'T PLAN ON LEARNING.
ANYWAY, I DON'T KNOW IF ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A WEATHER EVENT, AND THERE WAS A FLOODING ON TYBEE ISLAND, AND THEY SHOWED, I THINK IT WAS LIKE A DIFFERENCE OF A WEEK BETWEEN THE STORMS THAT THEY SHOWED ONE OF THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS JUST FLOODED AND JUST OVERFLOWING, THE WATER WAS GOING EVERYWHERE.
WITH A MESS. YOU ALSO HAVE BUSINESSES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PUT THERE, AND DEPENDING ON WHAT BUSINESS THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING THERE, THERE'S GOING TO BE ALL CHEMICAL WASHED OFF, GOING INTO THE SEPTIC SYSTEM, AND ALL OF THAT FUN STUFF.
DO YOUR ENGINEERS HAVE ANY PLANS ON HOW THEY ARE GOING TO HANDLE ALL OF THAT, SO THE GROUNDWATER IS NOT CONTAMINATED AND STUFF DOESN'T GO INTO THAT POND AND THEN GET DISCHARGED OUT?
>> SURE. DURING THE DEVELOPMENT PHASE, IF WE DO PROCEED FROM TONIGHT, WE WOULD SUBMIT TO PLANNING ZONING STAFF FOR REVIEW, AND WE WOULD PROVIDE NECESSARY INFORMATION SUCH AS LEVEL 3 SOIL SURVEY, WHICH WOULD SHOW THAT THE INFILTRATION FOR THE SEPTIC DRAIN FIELD IS ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE ACHES GO OUTSIDE OF THAT AREA.
>> ALL THE CHEMICALS THAT'S GOING TO RUN OFF FROM THOSE ASSUMING THERE IS AN HVAC COMPANY AND ALL OF THAT STUFF.
THEY USE CHEMICALS TO DO THEIR BUSINESS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF.
>> AS PART OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT FOR THOSE BUSINESSES, THEY WOULD NEED TO NOTE THAT IF THERE ARE ANY SORT OF DISCHARGES THAT WOULD BE FLAGGED BY WATER QUALITY FOR DES, THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE SOME MEASURE TO PREVENT SPILLS.
>> ALSO, THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR SEPTIC, WITH DES, THEY TAKE ALL THOSE CONSIDERATIONS INTO ACCOUNT TOO BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE AN ENGINEERED SEPTIC SYSTEM.
A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL ONE.
IT'S UP TO A HIGHER STANDARD TO HANDLE SUCH A CAPACITY IN BUSINESSES COMPARED TO JUST A TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL HOME.
>> AWESOME. ONE MORE QUESTION I'VE GOT.
AT SOME POINT, IF SEWER CONNECTIVITY BECOMES AVAILABLE WITH BEAUFORT-JASPER, DO YOU GUYS INTEND ON HOOKING UP?
>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BUILD IN AS PART OF THE ANNEXATION.
BUT THEY'RE CERTAINLY ON RECORD AS HAVING COMMITTED TO DOING THAT SHOULD IT BECOME AVAILABLE.
>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS.
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IT DES.
EVERYBODY ELSE STILL CALLS IT DEA.
IS THAT PART OF THE OWNED PROPERTY?
>> DO YOU HAVE SIGNED EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE GENTLEMAN BACK THERE AND THE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS?
>> ALL STAYS IN PLACE. THEIR ACCESS IS NOT IMPACTED.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AS FAR AS PAVING ONLY GOES TO OUR PROPERTY LINE.
IF YOU LOOK AT NOT THE BIGGER BLOW UP, BUT WHERE THE DARKER COLOR STOPS, IT GOES BACK TO GRAVEL ROAD.
A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS ACTUALLY DON'T WANT IT TO BE PAVED, SO WE'RE [OVERLAPPING] QUESTIONING THE FRONT PART.
>> BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND I THINK YOU'RE DOING THE THING FOR THAT.
I THINK THE GENTLEMAN [LAUGHTER] HE GAVE THE THUMBS UP TO THAT.
HE LIKES IT [LAUGHTER] NO CITY, NO PAVE.
WE'RE GOOD. THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS AND. THANK YOU.
>> THE FIRST QUESTION THAT ALWAYS COMES UP WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LEAVY,
[01:40:04]
HAS THE JASPER COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC THAT IS AFFECTED BY THIS, HAVE THEY ALL BEEN PROPERLY NOTED.YES. EVERYBODY'S HAD A CHANCE TO BE AWARE OF THIS AND COME IN FOR THIS PUBLIC CARING.
THE ANSWER MY HONEYSUCKER DIRT ROAD QUESTION THAT I HAD, DID I READ THAT THESE BUILDINGS ARE 35 FEET HIGH?
>> MAXIMUM. BUT THEN IN THE SLIDES, IT'S ONLY SINGLE STORY.
IS THAT JUST A BIG TALL INSIDE OR WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?
>> SURE. IN TERMS OF STORIES, IN TERMS OF WHAT THE DEFINITIONS ARE IN THE MZDO, THAT'S WHY WE CAPPED THE 35 FEET.
PLANNING COMMISSION ASKED US, AND WE REDUCED THAT FROM A TYPICAL 50 FOOT HEIGHT DOWN TO 35 BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED IT.
WE ALSO WANT IT TO BLEND IN WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA AND NOT BEING A BIG COMMERCIAL OBTRUSIVE BUILDING.
THE BUILDINGS THAT YOU SEE HERE ARE CLOSER TO LIKE A STORY AND A HALF, AND THOSE ARE UNDER 35 FEET.
>> THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION.
THIS WHOLE AREA HAS MOSTLY SINGLE STORY HOMES.
THEN IF YOU PUT AT THREE AND A HALF STORY 35 FOOT BUILDING, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT WITH THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS THAT WE'VE PUT DOWN THERE.
>> THAT'S NOT OUR INTENT WITH THAT AT ALL.
>> THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING THE QUESTION.
THERE WERE SOME SLIDES THAT SHOWED WHAT'S ACROSS THE STREET ON FREEDOM PARKWAY.
I BROUGHT THIS UP LONG AGO WHEN THIS FIRST CAME FORWARD.
ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THE FACT THAT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET ON FREEDOM PARKWAY, THAT'S WHERE THE FAMILY PROMISE HOUSE IS, AND THERE'S OTHER RESIDENTS THERE.
THAT'S WHEN AT THAT TIME, WHEN I WENT DOWN THERE AND LOOKED DID SOME LITTLE DRIVE AROUND, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIAL.
NOW, IT'S A DIFFERENT USE THAN IT WAS WAY BACK WHEN.
MY CONCERN IS, AND EVEN THOUGH I SEE THE TURNING LANES, MY CONCERN IS THESE USAGE HAS MORE TRUCK TRAFFIC.
HERE I HAVE HOMES ACROSS THE STREET WITH LITTLE KIDS, AND I START GETTING A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ACROSS THE STREET, THERE, HAVE WE HEARD FROM THEM.
>> WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION WHERE THEY WERE NOTIFIED AND EVERYTHING, ALL OF THOSE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE DID NOT GET ANY COMMENTS BACK ANY NEGATIVE ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROAD.
MAINLY WE TOOK OUT USES THAT HAD MORE TRUCK TRAFFIC IS WHAT WE TOOK OUT WHEN WE LIMITED IT.
>> IS HONEY SUCKER GOING TO BE A FULL ACCESS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS?
>> I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT BECAUSE THERE'S A TWO LANE ROAD.
THERE'S HOMES, KIDS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
THAT REALLY MAKES ME NERVOUS, COMMERCIAL WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LOT MORE FREQUENCY.
THIS IS WILL HAVE LESS FREQUENCY, BUT BIGGER VEHICLES.
I STRUGGLE WITH IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.
I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO COUNSEL IF WE WANT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER, BUT IT REALLY CAUSES ME GREAT ANXIETY.
I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO ONE OTHER, AND THIS IS MORE A COMMENT THAT I'VE HAD SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY. I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN.
I THINK LEAVY AS A TOTAL IS A MISHMASH OF PLANNING.
IT'S WHATEVER SOMEBODY WANTS AT THE TIME.
WE GOT WE'VE GOT SAND PITS, WE'VE GOT COMMERCIAL, WE'VE GOT THE RESIDENTIAL.
[01:45:01]
WE PUT UP BIG INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.I GET VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN WE KEEP APPROVING THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SOMEBODY WANTS, AND IT'S NOT PART OF AN OVERALL MASTER PLAN OF THE ENTIRE LEAVY COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE OBJECTING TO IT, BUT IT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY I GET UNCOMFORTABLE WITH JUST DOING THINGS PIECEMEAL LIKE THIS WITHOUT AN OVERALL MASTER PLAN FOR THE LEAVY COMMUNITY.
IT'S JUST WHAT I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH.
I THINK JASPER COUNTY NEEDS TO TAKE AND THE LEAVY COMMUNITY.
LEAVY'S GOT TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP.
I DON'T THINK THAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE PUBLICLY.
THAT'S THE ONE NEGATIVE I HAVE ABOUT ADDING TO THAT PLANNING OF THIS COMMUNITY.
ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
AT THIS TIME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD.
>> HI. I'M COURTNEY FLEXEN,2712 LEAVY ROAD.
I DON'T LIVE REAL CLOSE TO THE PROPERTY, AND I AGREE WITH YOU 100% ABOUT LEAVY HAS BEEN ALARMED WITH ALL OF THESE COMMERCIAL THINGS AND ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO COMBAT IT AND WORK WITH THE COUNTY, THE COUNTY HAS RECOGNIZED IT AS A HAMLET, AND SAID THEY WERE GOING TO DO A PLAN, BUT THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO IT YET.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, LOOKING AT THE MAP, AND YOU'VE GOT THE CONNECTOR TO THE 35 ACRES IN THE BACK, WHICH IS NOW EQUESTRIAN CENTER, AND I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THAT ONE.
THE PROBLEM IS, AS YOU KNOW, IF THAT IS ALSO ZONED COMMERCIALLY, WHAT COULD HAPPEN THERE? WITH 35 ACRES, YOU COULD HAVE SOMETHING HUGE WITH A LOT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC AND THINGS THAT ARE REALLY UNDESIRABLE FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS.
THAT IS JUST MY ONE COMMENT BECAUSE I FORESEE THAT COULD BE IF THIS GETS APPROVED, HOW LONG IS THE STABLE GOING TO BE THERE? ONCE AS YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU'VE APPROVED IT, ONCE THE COMMERCIAL ZONING IS THERE, IT'S VERY HARD TO UNDO. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD QUESTION. STAFF, COULD YOU SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER THAT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE?
>> I'LL GIVE AN INITIAL SHOT, BUT PLEASE, IF I MISS ANYTHING OR IT NEEDS MORE DETAIL, PLEASE FOLLOW UP.
>> THIS PROPERTY IS BEING BROUGHT IN UNDER A PROPOSED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ZONING.
IT'S NOT JUST STRAIGHT GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING.
WHAT THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DOES, IT ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS US TO WRITE THE ZONING CODE FOR THIS PROPERTY.
WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN, IT'S BEEN WRITTEN TO REFLECT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SHOWN.
THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO JUST THEN TRANSFER THE PROPERTY TO SOMEBODY ELSE AND DEVELOP IT FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
ONLY THAT FRONT PORTION WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. YES, MA'AM.
>> PLEASE, DO YOU WANT TO CLARIFY?
>> LET ME TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT.
IN THE MASTER PLAN, WE'RE NOT PROPOSING ANY CHANGES TO THE EQUESTRIAN FACILITY.
IF WE WERE TO PROPOSE THAT IN THE FUTURE, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK THROUGH THE WHOLE APPROVAL PROCESS.
JUST TO ADD SOME LEVEL OF COMFORT AND A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION THERE.
>> ANY CHANGE TO THAT BACK 45 ACRES, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ANNEXING CANNOT BE EVEN THOUGH PDD HAS THE INCLUSIVE ZONING, BUT I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED.
THE PDD GIVES THE ZONING WITHIN THAT ENTIRE 55 ACRES.
>> YES, THE MASTER PLAN THAT THE PDP PUTS THE PDD ZONING ON WHAT'S ALLOWED AND EQUESTRIAN PORTION AND ALL THESE OTHER USES ARE IN THAT JUST IN THAT FRONT PORTION.
WHEN THEY COME IN WITH THAT MASTER PLAN, THE SECOND, ACTUALLY, THE THIRD ITEM ON YOUR AGENDA, THAT'S WHERE IT SAYS, THAT IS MASTER PLAN ONLY FOR AN EQUESTRIAN CENTER AND THAT'S WHAT IT CAN BE UNLESS THEY COME BACK
[01:50:01]
THROUGH ANOTHER MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT OR CHANGE THAT.YES, SIR, IT IS TWO DIFFERENT ZONINGS ON THAT.
I MEAN, IT'S ALL UNDER THE PDD, BUT TWO DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS.
>> COUNSEL, YOU'RE ALL HAPPY WITH THOSE EXPLANATIONS?
>> I HAVE ONE CHANGE REQUIRES ANOTHER REVIEW, BASICALLY.
I DO HAVE ONE, I GUESS, REQUEST BEFORE BEFORE WE EVEN VOTE ON THIS.
I THINK THAT IN ALL DUE RESPECT, THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE ACROSS FREEDOM PARKWAY FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT SHOULD RECEIVE ANOTHER NOTIFICATION.
WE WOULD GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP AT THAT TIME.
IF THEY DON'T TAKE IT, WE'VE GIVEN THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
WE FOLLOWED OUR PLAN THAT WE ALWAYS USE.
I KNOW IT'S AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED ONCE, BUT TWICE.
WELL, THEN WE WILL DO IT THE THIRD TIME.
I THINK THAT'S JUST GOOD GOVERNMENT TO MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT.
>> DOESN'T HURT. THERE'LL BE A SECOND READING.
IT'S A SECOND READING, ANOTHER ASSUMING IT PASSES, AND INVITE THEM TO COME AND SPEAK AT THE SECOND READING.
THIS TIME WE ARE ALL SET FOR AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE ACTIONS.
THERE WILL BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, TWO MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC AND OR COUNCIL TO WEIGH IN.
BUT THIS FIRST ONE IS THE ANNEXATION OF THE 45 ACRES AND ANNEXING TO THE OTHER 10.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-1106B?
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 2025-11-06B.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
NOW THAT WE VOTED TO ANNEX IT IN, THIS IS THE REZONING OF NOW 55 ACRES THAT IT'S THE 45 OF THE ANNEXED AND THE TEN THAT'S ALREADY IN THE CITY LIMITS.
>> MR. GRUBER, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER TO ADD.
>> NO SIR, THIS IS THE ACTUAL ZONING DESIGNATION THAT IF YOU VOTE ON SECOND READING TO ANNEX THE PROPERTY IN, THIS WOULD THEN BECOME THE ZONING DESIGNATION ONCE YOU APPROVE SECOND READING OF THE PDD.
>> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS BY STAFF OR THE APPLICANT? AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE ANY COMMENTS OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ZONING OF THE 55 ACRES.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT PERSON TO ANNEX IN, IS THAT CLEAR? [LAUGHTER] LET'S GO TO COUNSEL QUESTIONING. MR. MISMAN.
>> I'VE GOT 33. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING.
>> I HAVE NO FURTHER ANXIETIES.
AT THIS TIME, NOW WE'VE HAD THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE'VE HAD COUNSEL COMMENTS.
I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-11-06C.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION ON FIRST READING THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-11-06C.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC.
SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS, ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ONE LAST PIECE OF BUSINESS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY, AND THAT IS THE APPROVAL OR THE ADOPTION OF
[01:55:04]
THE MASTER PLAN SUBMITTAL FOR THE 55 ACRES, KNOWN AS PLEASANT BROOK.MR. GRUBER OR STAFF OR THE APPLICANT.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> NO, SIR. NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD.
>> I'M NOW GOING TO INVITE THE PUBLIC.
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ORDINANCE? SEEING NONE, LET'S GO TO COUNSEL QUESTIONS AND START WITH MR. MISMAN.
>> THIS MASTER PLAN, IT SAYS HERE, IT'S FOR THE 55 ACRES, BUT THIS MASTER PLAN IS REALLY JUST FOR THE 10 ACRES, CORRECT? SHOULD WE MAKE THAT DISTINCTION IN THIS ORDINANCE?
>> THE MASTER PLANS ON THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THAT PUTS THE EQUESTRIAN ON ONE PIECE, AND THE EIGHT ACRES HAS THE COMMERCIAL.
NOW, EVERYBODY'S HAD A CHANCE.
NOW WE'LL ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ORDINANCE 2025-11-06D.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-11-06D.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC.
SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> THE THREE ORDINANCES WE'LL HAVE SECOND READING IN TWO WEEKS.
NEXT, WE GO TO THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A MASTER PLAN SUBMITTAL FOR ATTRACTIVE LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 55.74 ACRES, KNOWN GENERALLY AS PARCEL 13 TOWN HOMES LOCATED IN THE SOUTH POINT PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, TO INDICATE THAT PORTION SUBJECT TO THE MASTER PLAN.
THIS IS WE JUST HAVE ONE ORDINANCE FOR THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC. MR. GRUBER.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. MAYBE THE EASIEST TRANSITION MIGHT BE TO SAY THE LAST ITEM THAT YOU JUST VOTED ON, WHICH WAS THE MASTER PLAN FOR PLEASANT BROOK IS NOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT JUST FOR A DIFFERENT PROJECT.
THIS IS THE SOUTHPOINT PROJECT AND I THINK WE MAY BENEFIT FROM A COMMA BEING IN THERE SO THAT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, IT IS PARCEL 13, WHICH ARE TOWN HOMES, NOT 13 TOWN HOMES.
BUT IT IS A PART OF THE OVERALL APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR SOUTHPOINT, BUT THIS IS NOW THEY'RE COMING IN TO SHOW THE INITIAL MASTER PLAN FOR THE TOWN HOME PHASE OF THAT DEVELOPMENT.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO KATIE.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN. YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS APPLICATION, SO I'LL SAVE YOU MOST OF THE DETAILS.
BUT JUST A LITTLE HISTORY, THE SOUTHPOINT PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WAS APPROVED IN 2022, AND FOLLOWED BY THAT IN JANUARY OF 2025, YOU REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE SOUTHPOINT INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN, WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE ROADWAYS AND UTILITIES TO BE IN CONSTRUCTED SORRY.
RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW BY STAFF REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR A SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR THAT ROAD AND UTILITY NETWORK.
THIS PARCEL 13 INITIAL MASTER PLAN.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, AND YOU HELD A CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
YOU CHARGED THE APPLICANTS WITH COMING UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF DETAILS FOR THEM.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO WILLIE PAUL, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THOSE DETAILS YOU REQUESTED.
>> THEN YOU REMEMBER HOW TO USE THAT?
WILLIE POWELL WITH WARD EDWARDS ENGINEERING.
WE ARE PART OF THE APPLICANT TEAM FOR SOUTH POINT PARCEL 13.
I THINK KATIE, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS SHOW THIS IS THE IMP.
[02:00:05]
>> THAT'S FINE. THAT WILL WORK FOR ME.
I THINK WHAT I'D NEED TO DO IS SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF THE OVERALL SITES.
YEAH WALK THROUGH A COUPLE OF THOSE ITEMS, AND I'M HAPPY TO WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE DISCUSSION TOPICS.
>>WILLY, IF YOU COULD, IF YOU COULD CLOSE OUT THE WINDOWS TO THE RIGHT.
THAT'LL HELP IT. THERE YOU GO.
THAT WAY, EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT.
THERE WE GO. PERFECT. THANK YOU.
THIS IS A PART OF SOUTH POINT WEST, WHICH BACKS UP TO I 95.
ACCESS TO SOUTH POINT PARCEL 13 COMES OFF OF WHAT'S CALLED ROAD A, WHICH IS THE EXTENSION OF PINE ARBOR.
AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN AND THE PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS THAT KATIE AND STAFF ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING, THAT WILL BRING THE ROADWAY UP TO THIS INTERSECTION WILL INCLUDE WATER AND SEWER SERVICES FOR THIS AREA.
THAT PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE ALSO INCLUDES A SMALL PORTION OF THE SPYING ROAD AND THE FUTURE PUMP STATION THERE AS WELL.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT GOING ON WITH THIS AREA IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS PUMP STATION YOU SEE RIGHT HERE WILL END UP TYING INTO A SECOND PUMP STATION THAT'S BEING INSTALLED AS A PART OF PHASE 1 NEAR THE SPINE ROAD, THAT THE N DAISY CHAINS INTO THE EDATE SEWER PROJECT THAT'S CURRENTLY OUT TO BID WITH BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER AND SEWER.
THIS ALL THERE'S A LOT OF MOMENTUM, A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT ARE BEGINNING TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS WORK.
THIS SITE DOES PROPOSE THESE TOWNHOMES IN THIS AREA.
IT'S UNDER THE DENSITY THAT'S ALLOCATED TO IT AS A PART OF THE ORIGINAL PDD, AND THE IMP PROPOSES OPEN SPACE THAT EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD.
ONE OF THE DISCUSSION TOPICS THAT WE HAD DURING PLANNING COMMISSION AND ALSO, AGAIN, DURING COUNCIL WAS TO CONCENTRATE THE ACTIVE OPEN SPACES INTO THE DEVELOPMENT ITSELF, WHICH WE'VE DONE WITH THIS AMENITY AREA HERE AND A SECOND PARK AREA IN THE BACK COMBINED.
THOSE TWO AREAS ARE ABOUT AN ACRE OR MORE OF TOTAL AREA THAT'S PROGRAMMED FOR USE BY THE COMMUNITY.
NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER PARKS ALONG THESE AREAS HERE THAT HELP TO GET THE ACTIVE SPACE UP OVER THAT NEEDED AREA, ECLIPSE IT.
IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY OF THIS BACK AREA HERE.
EARLIER RENDITIONS OF THIS PLAN DID UTILIZE SOME OF THIS REAR AREA FOR OPEN SPACE, AND WE'VE SINCE CONSOLIDATED THAT INTO THE MAIN AREA.
WE'VE WORKED WITH STAFF AND FIRE MARSHAL ON CIRCULATION TO GET THOSE ITEMS CLARIFIED, AND WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THOSE ARE ALL SATISFIED NOW BY STAFF AND BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
I THINK WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO RUN THROUGH A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT WE DISCUSSED DURING THE WORKSHOP.
>> ONE OF THOSE ITEMS WAS ABOUT RESPONSE TIMES AND JUST CONCERN OVER HOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE SITE, CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT THIS AREA MAY FEEL A LITTLE BIT OFF OF JOHN SMITH ROAD AND THE INTERNAL CIRCULATION.
WE'VE LOOKED AT THE DISTANCE FROM THESE FURTHEST REACHING AREAS BACK HERE AS IT TIES BACK TO JOHN SMITH ROAD, AND AS IT TIES INTO THIS INTERSECTION HERE, A REMINDER THIS INTERSECTION WE'LL TIE INTO THE MAIN SPA ROAD, WHICH WILL TIE INTO 278 AND DOWN TO JOHNSMITH ROAD AS PART OF THAT REGIONAL CIRCULATION PLAN.
WE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE CITY, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT.
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAT HAVE VERY SIMILAR TYPE, IF NOT.
MULTIPLE LINKS, DIFFERENCES OF THIS.
THIS IS IN THE BOTTOM OF MARGARITAVILLE.
THIS SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MARGARITAVILLE HAS ABOUT THREE TIMES THE LENGTH OF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IN HERE.
THERE'S THE ZOOMED INVERSION OF SAN CASTLE ROAD, AND IF YOU ZOOM OUT, WHICH IS THE SECONDARY ONE.
YOU CAN SEE HOW FAR THAT IS WITHIN THE MARGARITAVILLE DEVELOPMENT.
[02:05:01]
THESE ARE ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN RIVERTON, SUN CITY.THEY JUST DID ACROSS OF EAST ARGENT.
THERE'S OTHER EXAMPLES IN THE CITY THAT ARE, TWO, 3X OF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING INSIDE OF SOUTHPOINT.
THAT'S NOT EVEN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FUTURE CIRCULATION THAT WILL OCCUR ONCE THE SPINE ROAD AND PHASE 2 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS COMPLETED AND INACTIVE.
THAT'S ONE I WANTED TO RUN THROUGH.
ONE CONCERN WAS JUST THE CIRCULATION OF THIS END PIECE.
WE PROVIDED THIS STAFF, THEY REVIEWED IT, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE CIRCULATION.
THOSE AGAIN. ARE ABLE TO MAKE THAT.
THIS IS ALSO A RIGHT HAND TURN, WHICH IS THE HARDEST TURN TO MAKE IN THE DEVELOPMENT, AND IT SHOWS THAT RIGHT HAND TURN IS BEING ABLE TO BE MADE.
THERE'S ALSO ROOM TO FURTHER EXPAND THAT.
AS WE GET INTO DETAILED DEVELOPMENT PERMITTING WITH STAFF, WE NEED TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE RADIUS, A LITTLE BIT MORE WIDENING ON THAT.
THERE'S THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT ONCE WE GET INTO DETAILED SITE PERMITTING WITH STAFF.
I ALSO THINK THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGER ITEMS I WANTED TO LOOK AT. EVERY TIME.
ONE OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS WAS JUST THE CONCERN OVER THE TIMING OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR HOMES, AND THEN ALSO HOW THAT TIES INTO THE GREATER IT EIGHT WORK, AND ALSO THE 278 JOHN SMITH INTERSECTION WORK.
WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO LAY OUT IS A RUNDOWN OF THE THREE PROJECTS SIDE BY SIDE, BEGINNING WITH FOURTH QUARTER OF 25, WHICH WE'RE IN NOW, AND THEN RUN THROUGH THE NEXT, BASICALLY THREE FULL YEARS AND SHOW HOW EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS WILL RUN TOGETHER.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIG ITEMS TO CONSIDER IN THERE IS THAT THE EXPECTED BRIDGE CLOSURE OF JOHN SMITH ROAD.
WE'VE COORDINATED WITH THE SEDAT PROJECT MANAGER TO GET A ROUGH IDEA OF WHEN HE EXPECTS THE 95 BRIDGE CLOSURE TO BE OCCURRING.
WE'VE ALSO WORKED WITH CARTER TO GET A DECENT IDEA OF WHAT THE CITY SCHEDULE WOULD BE FOR THE 278 JOHN SMITH ROAD, INTERSECTION AND THEN ALIGNING THAT WITH WHAT WE EXPECT TO BE FROM OUR DEVELOPMENT PERMITTING SIDE.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT EVEN IF WE GO AS FAST AS WE CAN, WE'RE STILL 6-9 MONTHS BEHIND THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR 278 AND JOHN SMITH ROAD, AND WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDST OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH WITH EXIT 8.
BUT THE KEY TO THAT IS THE POTENTIAL, I THINK TO ONE OF MR. MEERS MAN'S CONCERNS, IS THE POTENTIAL TO ALIGN OUR CLEARING OPERATIONS AND OUR TIMBERING OPERATIONS WITH THE BRIDGE CLOSURE TO TRY TO LIMIT CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC ON JOHN SMITH ROAD.
THEN TO FURTHER THAT POINT, IF YOU'LL NOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AS PART OF THE APPROVED IMP FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS TO OFFSET OUR ALIGNMENT OF OUR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES FROM PINE HARBOR ROADS.
THERE'S NO DIRECT CONNECTION FROM PINE ARBOR FOR OUR ACTIVITIES.
OUR APPROVED DOT ENCROACHMENT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS OFFSET FROM THAT TO MINIMIZE ANY INTERSECTION CONCERNS THERE AND ALSO TO HELP, I THINK WITH CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC MANEUVERABILITY.
I'M HAPPY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION AT THE BEGINNING.
I'M HAPPY TO RUN THROUGH EACH ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY.
ANY QUESTIONS THAT MAY COME UP, BUT I THINK IT WAS BENEFICIAL FOR US TO LOOK AT OUR PROCESSES AND WHAT WE EXPECT TO HOPEFULLY OCCUR MOVING FORWARD AND HOW THAT ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S INTERSECTION PROGRAM AND THE SEDOT ED AND 995 PROGRAM.
MOST NOTABLY THE JOHN SMITH ROAD BRIDGE CLOSURE.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF LITTLE THINGS THAT THEY COME UP, WE ARE HAPPY TO LOOK AT THEM AS WELL.
ADRI, ANYTHING FROM HERE YOU WANT TO MENTION AS OF NOW. YES.
>> GOOD EVENING, KEVIN FERRUCCIO, ROY, REAL ESTATE.
GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
YOU HAVE THE LARGER SOUTH POINT MASTER PLAN OR JUST AN OVERALL. IT COULD BE HELPFUL.
>> MAYBE I WAS THINKING THE PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE, MAYBE YOU COULD GET MAYBE EXPLAIN.
>> THAT'S THE NEXT SLIDE, I THINK. THERE YOU GO.
>> THERE YOU GO. JUST DOESN'T KNOW, THIS IS THE OVERALL SOUTHPOINT PDD THAT WAS APPROVED IN 2022.
THE PARCEL IN QUESTION IS WAS CALLED RESIDENTIAL TRACK NUMBER 3, WHICH IS HERE.
[02:10:02]
IT'S NOW THEN AS SOUTH POINT PARCEL 13.TOM HOMES. THAT'S ACCESSED OFF OF YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS PINE ARBOR ROAD.
HERE'S THAT EXTENSION COMING UP.
THEN OUR APPROVED CONSTRUCTION ACCESS WITH SCDOT.
ALLOWS IT TO COME OVER AND COMES IN DOWN HERE.
IT'S TRULY OFFSET FROM THAT INTERSECTION TO NOT CAUSE ANY CONFLICTS, ESPECIALLY DURING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
THERE YOU GO, YOU CAN SEE OUR TO PHASE 1 IS THIS ROAD UP TO THE INTERSECTION HERE, AND THEN THE SPINE ROAD IN THIS AREA.
AGAIN, YOU'VE GOT TWO LARGE PUMP STATIONS THAT ARE PART OF PHASE 1 ALL TIED INTO THE BUF JASPER EXITATE SYSTEM.
THAT'S NOT PART OF PHASE 1 RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S DOT'S WORK RIGHT THERE, PART OF THEIR WORK.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I'LL OR WHATEVER WORKS BEST FOR YOU, MR. MAYOR.
>> I'M SURE THERE'LL BE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
BUT FIRST, IN KEEPING WITH THE ORDER THAT I'VE BEEN DOING, I WILL, AT THIS TIME, OFFER THE CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING SOUTH POINT.
SEEING NONE, LET'S START WITH MR. MERSMAN.
>> RIGHT THERE. WHERE YOUR CONSTRUCTION ROAD IS GOING TO COME.
>> WHERE WERE YOUR TRUCKS GO FROM THERE?
>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, WELL, IT DEPEND ON THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON JOHNSMITH ROAD, WHETHER OR NOT THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN FORMALLY CLOSED OR WHETHER IT'S OPEN.
WE'RE ALSO WILLING TO LIMIT THEIR ACTIVITIES TO CERTAIN DIRECTIONS, IF THAT WOULD APPEASE THE MAYOR AND MR. S HERE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP TO LIMIT THEM TO FORCE THEM DOWN EITHER, DOWN JOHNS ROAD THIS WAY OR DOWN PINE ARBOR, TO HELP LIMIT THEM OFF OF 278, IF THAT WOULD BE JOHN SMITH ROAD GOING BACK TOWARDS THE REC CENTER IN THE SCHOOL IS AN ABSOLUTE OUT.
I WILL NOT APPROVE THOSE LOG TRUCKS GOING DOWN THAT WAY.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO COME OUT OVER IN HERE AND TURN ONTO PINE ARBOR ROAD, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE DOT? BECAUSE THE LENGTH OF A LOG TRUCK AND THE SWING OF A LOG TRUCK IS AWFUL LARGE.
I KNOW YOU CAN'T PUT A COMPLETE TURN LANE IN THERE, BUT CAN YOU AT LEAST WIDEN THE SHOULDER TO MAKE THAT TURN BE IT'S A TIGHT TURN RIGHT NOW.
NOT ONLY IS IT DANGEROUS, IT COULD ALSO HINDER TRAFFIC AT THAT INTERSECTION.
I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT OR SOME IDEA OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO OUT ON 2278.
THAT'S NOT AN OPTION WITH YOUR LOGGING.
PINE ARBOR IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE YOU'RE AT, AND I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT IT, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
MY OTHER CONCERN IS THAT I STILL HAD THAT, AND KEVIN, WE TALKED BEFORE IS YOUR DISTANCE FROM THE DESIGNATED WETLANDS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
I ASKED STAFF, 25 FEET IS GENERALLY AN ACCEPTED AREA TO THE WETLANDS.
I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE THAN THAT CONSTANT.
KEVIN, YOU SAID AVERAGE, AND I CAN'T GO WITH THE AVERAGE BECAUSE YES, YOU HAVE A BIG GREEN SPOT RIGHT DOWN OVER HERE.
BUT SOME OF THESE ARE VERY CLOSE, AND THESE ARE FAMILY HOMES.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE KIDS INTO THE BACK YARDS.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT THE WETLANDS A LITTLE BIT AND GIVE THE KIDS SOME TYPE OF A YARD OR SOMETHING THAT THE FOLKS HAVE IN THE BACK.
THAT'S HERE TO THE WALL FOR ME.
>> ONE THING THAT ACTUALLY I DID NOT MENTION THAT EARLIER, ONE THING WE DID LOOK AT FOLLOWING THE WORKSHOP WAS INCREASING THE WETLAND BUFFER.
WE'VE ADDED 60% TO THE WETLAND BUFFER VERSUS WHAT YOU WERE PRESENTED AT THE WORKSHOP.
THE WETLAND BUFFER THAT'S ON THIS PLAN AND PROPOSED IS AN ADDITIONAL 60% OVER.
>> OVER 30, LOW MID 30S, AND THAT RANGE.
>> THAT'S MORE ACCEPTABLE. ONE MORE QUESTION.
IF YOU CAN PULL THAT SLIDE DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT. WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT I'M LOOKING AT ON WHAT STAFF HAS PROVIDED ME WITH.
[02:15:02]
THERE IS AN ACCESS ROAD RIGHT THERE.IT'S NOT SHOWING IT SAYS EMERGENCY ACCESS, BUT IT'S NOT SHOWING ANY ROAD.
WILL THAT BE PUT IN AT THIS TIME AND JUST A DEAD END?
>> YES. WE'LL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT PUTTING SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN'T MANEUVER, BUT, YES, WE WILL PUT IN THIS PORTION AND HAVE IT STUBBED AND WE'LL PUT AS LONG AS WE'RE ALLOWED TO PUT IT SO THAT WAY IT CAN BE EXTENDED FURTHER.
IF WE'RE ALLOWED TO PUT IT TO THE PROPERTY LINE, WE'LL CERTAINLY DO THAT.
>> I THINK IT'S HIDDEN BY THE THREE.
>> IT'S HIDDEN BY THE TREE CANOPY ON THAT DOCUMENT, BUT IT IS THERE. WE DID VERIFY.
>> WE DID SEE ON THIS EXHIBIT 2, I THINK ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS DISTANCES FROM PROPERTY BOUNDARY TO I 95 TREE LINE AND I 95 EDGE OF PAVEMENTS.
THOSE HAVE ALSO BEEN ADDED TO THIS EXHIBITS.
YOU'RE SEEING ALMOST 90 FOOT OF TREE CANOPY.
FROM THE PROPERTY BOUNDARY, EXISTING, NOT COUNTING OUR 50 FOOT INTERNAL, AND THEN YOU HAVE A 125 FROM PROPERTY TO THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT.
THIS THESE MASTER PLANS HAVE INCORPORATED THE FULL I 95 WIDENING PROJECT.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS THE WIDENING OF 95 ALREADY TAKEN INTO EFFECT.
>> YOU HAD MENTIONED EARLIER IN YOUR OTHERS, MARGARITAVILLE, RIVERTON POINT, AND THOSE.
THOSE WERE PDDS AND DEVELOPMENTS APPROVED 20 YEARS AGO BY A DIFFERENT COUNCIL.
I CAN HONESTLY STATE MAJOR MISTAKES WERE BEING MADE.
IN THE FUTURE, DON'T REFERENCE THOSE.
THIS IS DIFFERENT, AND EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING NOW IS DIFFERENT.
WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THINGS THAT WERE MADE THEN THAT WE WILL NOT DO.
TO MAKE ME HAPPIER, DON'T REFERENCE THOSE, PLEASE.
>> NOTED. I THINK WE WERE JUST TRYING TO PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW IT SITS COMPARED TO OTHER RESPONSE TIMES THAT ARE NEEDED IN THE CITY.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR.MAYOR.
>> WE GO TO THE SLIDE WHERE ALL THE ACCESS POINTS WERE SHOWN, SIR?
>> BACK POINT. YES. ACCESS 0.7 IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF PINE ARBOR ROAD?
>> IS THAT GOING TO BE YOUR CONSTRUCTION ROAD?
>> NO, MA'AM. CONSTRUCTION WILL OCCUR VIA THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT THAT'S DOWN HERE.
>> THAT'S IN FRONT OF THAT'S GOING TO BE IN.
>> CONSTRUCTION ACCESS IS RIGHT HERE FOR THIS IMP, BECAUSE THIS ROAD WILL BE PROVIDED TO US.
OUR CONSTRUCTION IS TECHNICALLY FROM RIGHT THERE COMING IN TO THE SITE.
WHERE HOW WILL YOUR LOGGING TRUCKS EXIT THAT PROPERTY?
>> THEY WILL UTILIZE THIS ROAD THAT PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BUILD, AND THEN WE CAN LEAVE THIS ACCESS ROAD OPEN AS NEEDED.
>> THAT WILL BE JUST PAST PINE ARBOR ROAD. CORRECT?
>> THAT MEANS IF THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED AND THE ONLY WAY OUT WILL BE DOWN PINE ARBOR, WHICH MEANS THEN THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A RIGHT, A LEFT TO GET ONTO PINE ARBOR ROAD?
>> YES MA'AM. CORRECT. BUT THERE WOULD BE NO TRAFFIC SOUTH OF PINE ARBOR.
WE WOULD HAVE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE CLOSED JUST SOUTH OF US.
>> BIG TRUCKS, LOTS OF LOGS, AND ALL OF THAT FUN STUFF.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PARTY IN THAT SECTION OVER THERE.
ALL THOSE LOGGING TRUCKS WILL BE GOING DOWN PINE ARBOR ROAD, IS THAT THE PLAN?
>> NONE OF THEM ARE GOING TO GO BACK UP JOHN SMITH AND THEN TURN ON TO 278.
>> NO, MA'AM. SURE, THEY ALL GO DOWN PINE ARBOR.
>> THAT'S A LOT OF TURNS THERE, TO TURN THAT LEFT TO COME BACK AND THEN TO TURN AGAIN ONTO PINE ARBOR.
THE THING THAT WORRIES ME ABOUT THAT IS BECAUSE, SINCE THE BRIDGE IS GOING TO BE CLOSED, ALL THE TRAFFIC IS GOING TO DIVERT ONTO PINE ARBOR TO COME THIS WAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TRUCK THAT'S GOING TO TURN, LOADED WITH LOGS, GOING TO MAKE THAT RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO PINE ARBOR TO GET OUT.
THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE COMING DOWN JOHN SMITH TRYING TO HANG A LEFT, ALSO TO GET ONTO PINE ARBOR TO GO WHEREVER THEY NEED TO GO.
[02:20:04]
THAT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A COMPRESSION POINT THERE.SAFETY WISE, THAT DOESN'T DIVE REALLY GOOD WITH ME.
>> WELL, THE GOOD THING IS ANY CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE THAT'S DOWN IN THIS AREA HAS FREE REIGN OF JOHN SMITH ROAD, BECAUSE NO OPPOSING TRAFFIC CAN COME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ANY FURTHER.
THEY'LL HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THIS AREA.
THEN BECOMES A RIGHT HAND TURN, WHICH IS THE SAFEST TURN TO MAKE FOR A VEHICLE.
>> BUT THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE IS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A RIGHT HAND TURN THERE FOR YOUR LOGGING TRUCKS.
BUT WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE POPULATION THAT'S GOING TO BE USING JOHN SMITH TO GET ONTO PINE ARBOR.
WHO'S GOING TO STOP FOR WHO? BECAUSE THE LOGGING TRUCKS, THEY'RE BIG TRUCKS.
TO ME, IT'S LIKE, I'M BIGGER THAN YOU, AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THE RIGHT AWAY.
>> WELL, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY. THE RIGHT HAND TURN WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY.
>> THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SPEEDING PEOPLE TRYING TO TURN ONTO PINE ARBOR.
THAT'S A HAIRY SITUATION THERE.
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT WHEN WE GOT OUR IMP FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE APPROVED, WE AGREED TO WORK WITH STAFF AND WORK WITH THE COUNCIL ON A TRAFFIC SAFETY MITIGATION PLAN.
THOSE STEPS, WE CAN TALK ABOUT HAVING AMPLE SIGNAGE, FOLKS DIRECTING TRAFFIC.
WE WILL HAPPILY PAINT THE SAFE PICTURE, AND WE'D BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT.
WE'LL HAVE JUST A COMPRESSED TIMELINE FROM WHEN THE LOGGING ACTIVITY WILL HAPPEN.
IT'LL BE DURING CERTAIN SPECIFIC TIMES THAT STAFF AND COUNSEL WANT.
WE COULD BE AS FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE TO WORK AROUND THE HIGHER TRAFFIC POINTS AND SO FORTH.
YOU COULD TELL THAT WE'RE WANTING TO FULFILL THAT.
AGAIN, WE HAVE A GREAT WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY HERE WITH THAT ROAD BEING CLOSED.
>> THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD SIR.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOT OPEN, BUT I WILL PUT IT BACK FORWARD.
STEPHEN VALVE RAISED SOME EXCELLENT QUESTIONS, KEVIN.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE FLAGMEN AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO, PERSONALLY, I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE THAT YOU GUYS WILL SEE THAT, UNDERSTAND IT AND DO THAT.
WE'RE EXPECTING THAT, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT IS DONE WITH EXCELLENCE AND DONE EVEN MORE SO THAN BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT, THE MAXIMUM REQUIREMENT.
I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU'LL DO THAT.
THAT'S WHAT MY EXPECTATION IS.
>> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC ON JOHN SMITH, AND HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT LIVE ON PINE ARBOR ROAD? THE BIG TRUCKS GOING ON PINE ARBOR ROAD, THAT'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
I'M NOT SURE THAT ROAD CAN TAKE IT.
IT'S NOT LONG AGO IT'S BEEN REPAVED.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF CHILDREN ON PINE ARBOR ROAD, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT ANY CONSIDERATION FOR THE CITIZENS ON PINE ARBOR ROAD AT ALL.
ALL I'VE HEARD IS JOHN SMITH AND THE RESIDENTS OF PINE ARBOR ROAD, I GUESS, DON'T COUNT.
>> NO, SIR. AGAIN, WE'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SEVERAL LARGE PROJECTS THAT HAVE TRUCKING, TIMBERING ACTIVITY ENTERING HIGHWAY 278 RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE IT MAKES SENSE TO SPREAD THEM OR TO DIVERT THE TRAFFIC, SOME TO 278, SOME OF THE PINE ARBOR, BASED ON DIFFERENT HOURS.
>> YOU SAID WHILE AGO, YOU HAD NO INTENTIONS OF GOING TO 278.
IF THAT PROVES TO BE A SAFER ROUTE, AND WE CAN TIME IT PROPERLY, WE'RE OPEN TO THAT.
>> THEN ONCE YOU GO DOWN PINE ARBOR ROAD TO THE OTHER END, WHERE DO YOU GO? I GUESS, BACK ON 46?
>> THEN WHICH WAY ON 46? I GUESS TO THE LEFT OR?
>> WELL, I GUESS, DEPENDS ON IF YOU'RE GOING TO THE SAVANNAH, YOU GUESS YOU GO RIGHT TO 95 AND GO THAT ROUTE.
I THINK THE CONSIDERATION FROM OUR END WAS
[02:25:01]
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ROAD CLOSURE AND THE REALIGN TRAFFIC FLOW.WHILE THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED, PINE ARBOR WILL BECOME A PRIMARY EXIT ROUTE FOR THE STRETCH.
BASICALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SAME ROUTING PLAN THAT DOT HAS TO ACCOMMODATE AS PART OF THEIR WINDING PROGRAM.
> WHICH IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE I'M ON COG, AND WE MEET WITH DOT ALL THE TIME, AND THEY'RE GIVING IT A NINE MONTH FRAME.
ANYWAY, IN THE WORLD, IT'LL BE NINE MONTHS.
IT'LL BE AT A MINIMUM BE A YEAR.
>> WE FEEL THE SAME WAY, BUT WE DID USE NINE MONTHS IN OUR TIMELINES.
>> SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WHEN THAT BRIDGE IS CLOSED, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE INCREASED TRAFFIC ON PINE ARBOR ROAD, ON MAIN STREET, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT PAST HERE, AND DOWN, OF COURSE, AT 278 UP AT THE OTHER END.
IF THE TRUCKS COME OUT OF THERE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY COME AT PINE ARBOR OR BEFORE, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO ONE OF TWO PLACES, PINE ARBOR ROAD, WHERE AS MR. CARROLL SAID HAS A LOT OF KIDS.
NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE INCREASED TRAFFIC OF ALL TYPES BECAUSE OF THAT BRIDGE CLOSURE.
BUT NOW WE'RE GOING TO SEND LOGGING TRUCKS DOWN THERE.
JOHN, YOU BETTER PUT A BIG WALL IN FRONT OF YOUR YARD BECAUSE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE AT RISK.
THE OTHER THING THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY GO IS TO GO TO 278.
WE ASKED FOR SOME CRASH DATA AT 278 AND JOHN SMITH ROAD.
IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THERE HAVE BEEN 14 MOTOR VEHICLES COLLISIONS THERE, INCLUDING ONE, NOT LONG AGO, A DEATH.
THAT'S BEFORE ANYTHING GOES ON THERE.
THAT'S 4% OF THE WHOLE CITY'S TOTAL.
IT'S 34% OF THE ACCIDENTS ON 278.
THAT IS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION, WHICH IS WHY THE HOYER GROUP HAS DEDICATED $8 MILLION TO FIX IT.
IT'S WHY THE VOTERS OF JASPER COUNTY VOTED A TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX TO FIX 278.
THERE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE FIXES ON THE WAY.
TO EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFER OR MITIGATE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE ALREADY EXISTING WHEN YOU START TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION TO GO BEFORE ALL THOSE MITIGATIONS ARE DONE IS IS UNREASONABLE.
IT'S DANGEROUS FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT, THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THAT'S GOING TO GO ON PINE ARBOR ROAD AND 278, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT BRIDGE IS CLOSED.
LET ME GO ON TO A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS.
FIRST OF ALL, JOSH, HAVE WE, THIS COUNCIL, DISCUSSED INCREASING THE WETLANDS BUFFER BEYOND TO ADOPT THE BLUFFTON ORDINANCE.
HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING WITH THAT?
>> WE'VE NOT TAKEN FORMAL ACTION ON THAT.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT, I THINK TWICE NOW AT VARIOUS WORKSHOPS, AS THAT BEING A GOAL.
IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNSEL, WE'RE PREPARING A PACKAGE OF HOUSEKEEPING PLANS THAT WE NEED TO BRING FORWARD WITH THE MZDO.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ADDING IT TO THAT.
BUT IF IT'S THE DIRECTION FROM COUNSEL THAT YOU WANT TO SEE THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, WE CAN BRING THAT FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS YOU'D LIKE.
>> WELL, LET ME GO TO THE OTHER QUESTION.
WHAT IS THE WETLANDS BUFFER VERSUS THE BLUFFTON ORDINANCE, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WHICH COMES OFF OF THAT WETLANDS THERE.
WHAT'S THE BUFFER BETWEEN THOSE HOMES AND THE WETLANDS?
>> PURSUANT TO THE CITY'S CURRENT MZDO LANGUAGE, THE WETLANDS BUFFER IS DETERMINED BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WHICH TYPICALLY REQUIRES A 25 FOOT BUFFER, BUT THAT IS A 25 FOOT AVERAGE BUFFER.
THAT IS WHAT OUR CURRENT STANDARDS REQUIRE.
WHAT BLUFFTON HAS DONE IS THEY HAVE INCREASED THAT TO BEING A MINIMUM 50 FEET, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S AVERAGE.
[02:30:01]
I THINK IT'S 50 FEET EVERY [OVERLAPPING]>> BUT THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE HAVE NOW AND WHAT BLUFFTON HAS ADOPTED.
>> SEE, BECAUSE BY KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD, NOW, I THINK THAT BUFFER IS INADEQUATE.
I THINK WE NEED TO DISCUSS BEFORE WE APPROVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS, WHETHER IT BE THIS OR ANY, WE HAVE TO FINALLY COME TO A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT, WHAT BUFFERS WE WANT TO THE WETLANDS? THE BLUFFTON ORDINANCE WAS A VERY GOOD ORDINANCE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND HAVE COUNCIL MAKE THAT DECISION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
ALL THE GRAVITY SEWER FLOWS TO IT, AND THEN RELAYS IT VIA PUMP TO THE NEXT STOP IN TOWN.
>> WHERE'S THE NEXT STOP IN TOWN? ALL THESE SEWER THINGS COME OUT OF THESE 260 HOMES, AND IT GOES TO THIS PUMP STATION. WHERE'S IT GO FROM THERE?
>> I'M REALLY IN WHEELHOUSE NOW.
IT COMES TO HERE, AND THIS STATION WILL COLLECT TWO OTHER PARCELS WITHIN SOUTHPOINT.
HERE, IT WILL THEN PUMP DOWN OUR NEW ROADWAY TO JOHN SMITH.
IT'LL COME INTO PHASE 1 HERE TO A LARGER STATION, WHICH WILL THEN PICK IT UP, SEND IT UP JOHN SMITH ROAD, WHERE IT'LL HIT THE SYSTEM THAT BEAUFORT-JASPER'S PUTTING INTO PLACE RIGHT NOW AS PART OF THE BIG EX-DATE SEWER PROGRAM.
FROM THERE, IT'LL EVENTUALLY GET RELAYED BACK WEST OVER TO PERSBURG.
>> IF I UNDERSTAND RIGHT, WE GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, WE'RE GOING TO PUMP SEWAGE AND THEN TRAVEL IT DOWN THROUGH THAT BIG WETLANDS AREA.
NO ANYBODY ELSE, BUT THAT SCARES ME.
>> NO. ALL THE PUMP ITSELF IS IN UPLAND AREA.
ALL THE GRAVITY LINES, SEWER LINES, ALL TIED TO IT ARE ALL INSIDE RIGHTS OF WAY.
IT STAYS IN UPLAND AREA, THE ENTIRE ROUTE.
WE'RE NOT DOING ANY WETLAND IMPACTS AS A PART OF SOUTH POINT PHASE 13 OR PARCEL 13, OR THE PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S GOING IN THE GROUND.
>> THAT PUMP STATION, WHICH IS GOING TO BE PUMP AND SEWAGE IS RIGHT NEXT TO AN EXTENSIVE WETLANDS AREA.
THAT SCARES ME, THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SEWAGE BEING PUMPED NEXT TO A WETLANDS.
>> I WILL TELL YOU, FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT, ALMOST EVERY ONE, THERE'S PROBABLY 300 STATIONS IN BEAUFORT-JASPER SYSTEM.
ALMOST ALL OF THEM ARE LOCATED NEAR WETLANDS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LOCATE THEM IN THE LOWEST PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TO MAKE THEM EASIER TO ACCESS, EASIER TO UTILIZE.
ALMOST EVERY PUMP STATION IN BEAUFORT-JASPER SYSTEM IS LOCATED IN A LOWER AREA ADJACENT TO WETLANDS OR OTHER SITE FEATURES THAT MAKE THEM EASIER TO CONSTRUCT, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN.
>> WE'RE PUTTING IN A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS, BECAUSE IT WAS DONE BEFORE, IT'S OKAY AGAIN.
>> WELL, IT'S FROM AN ECONOMIC AND A CONSTRUCTABILITY STANDPOINT, THAT'S THE MOST DESIRABLE LOCATION.
IT'S ALL BASED ON DEPTH AND ACCESS AND THIS THING.
IT'S ALSO A SAFER LOCATION TO CONSTRUCT IT AND MAINTAIN IT.
>> JUST ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO COMMENT ON WHAT MR. MERSMAN SAID.
YOU REFERENCED THE FACT THAT THERE'S OTHER AREAS THAT ONLY HAVE ONE ACCESS POINT, AND WE GET KILLED ABOUT THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I'M EXAGGERATING, OF COURSE, BUT THE POINT IS THIS, JUST BECAUSE WE MADE MISTAKES IN THE PAST, DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THEM BY ALLOWING IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
THOSE ONE ACCESS POINTS, AND EVEN OUR FIRE MARSHAL HAS ADVISED US ON OTHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVING ONE ACCESS POINT IS NOT DESIRABLE.
SPEAKING OF THAT, FROM JOHN SMITH ROAD TO THE FARTHEST MOST POINT, WHAT'S THE DISTANCE THERE?
>> IT IS ABOUT 3,500 FEET FROM JOHN SMITH TO THAT BACK CORNER.
THREE QUARTERS, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THAT'S THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE.
[02:35:07]
BACK TO WHERE THE PARKS ARE.COULD WE GO OVER THAT AGAIN? YOU MENTIONED THERE'S ONE ACRE FOR ACTIVE OPEN SPACES?
>> NO. THERE'S THE OPEN SPACE PLAN THERE.
ACTUALLY, HOW THE NUMBERS ARE ON THIS EXHIBIT. THERE YOU GO.
IT'S 5.72 ACRES OF ACTIVE OPEN SPACE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP DURING THE WORKSHOP WAS IS THAT AREA ADEQUATE? WE'VE LOOKED AT THAT, WE'VE QUANTIFIED WHAT THIS AREA IS AND CAN BE AND ADRIAN, AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK ON THAT AS WELL.
BUT BETWEEN THIS AREA AND THEN THIS AREA, THOSE TWO AREAS ITSELF, AS MORE OF THE PROGRAM PIECE, PROVIDE, OVER AN ACRE OF JUST SOLID PROGRAM ACTIVE OPEN SPACE, NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER TRAILS, POCKET PARKS, AND THINGS THAT ARE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ASKED ALL OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST YOU, BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE, AND THEY'VE ALL AGREED TO IS THAT WE KEEP 10% OF ACTIVE OPEN SPACE.
THAT'S IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE. KEEP THEM OPEN.
DON'T BUILD ON THEM IN CASE IN THE FUTURE, THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO DECIDE TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE.
IF WE BUILD ON EVERY SINGLE INCH, AND THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO PUT A TENNIS COURT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE OR A PLAYGROUND AND PUT SWING SETS, IF IT'S ALL USED UP, THAT COMMUNITY DOES NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO BECAUSE IT'S ALL BUILT UP.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE BEEN ASKING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE AGREED TO TO KEEP OVER AND ABOVE THE AMENITY CENTERS AND EVERYTHING TO KEEP 10% ACTIVE OPEN SPACES.
I WOULD EXPECT THAT YOU WOULD WILLINGLY WANT TO DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING.
JUST PUT THAT IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.
>> WE DO EXCEED THE 10% ACTIVE OPEN SPACE.
I THINK THIS AREA BACK IN THE BACK IS LEFT TO BE UTILIZED BY RESIDENTS AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE FIT.
>> WHAT IS THAT? WHAT'S THE ACREAGE?
>> THE 10% ACTIVE OPEN SPACE NEED IT'S IN THE BOTTOM CORNER.
IT'S AT 557, AND WE'RE PROPOSING 5.72.
>> GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION. WHERE IS THAT 5.7?
>> IT IS ALL OF THESE DARKER GREEN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE GOT THIS LARGER KIND OF PROGRAMS CLUBHOUSE AMENITY THAT'S HERE.
YOU'VE GOT THESE AREAS THROUGH THIS PARK AREA THAT CAN BE UTILIZED AND PROGRAMMED BY THE RESIDENTS, SAME THING KIND OF THROUGH HERE.
THESE POCKET PARKS THAT ARE SPACED OUT HERE, WHERE THE ROADS T IN IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF PLANNING COMMISSION WAS TO KIND OF PROVIDE THOSE AND BREAK THESE UNITS UP, WHICH WE'VE DONE, SAME THING HERE AND HERE AND KIND OF IN THAT AREA AS WELL.
>> YES, SIR. DOUBLE. BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD WILL PROVIDE SIDEWALKS.
>> THE PRICE POINTS OF THESE TOWN HOMES?
>> ADRIAN PETROSKY WITH FOURSTAR.
WE'VE LOOKED INTO THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED AT THE WORKSHOP, AND BASED ON THE DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND THE MARKET RESEARCH, WE BELIEVE THE TOWN HOMES WILL RUN BETWEEN MID THREES TO THE MID FOURS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING AT THIS TIME.
OBVIOUSLY, IT IS BASED ON DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
IT'S BASED ON WHAT COSTS ARE REQUIRED BY US.
HOWEVER, WE'RE NOT THE BUILDER, SO [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE THE DEVELOPER, YES, SIR.
>> THE OTHER THING THAT WE'VE ASKED JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER DEVELOPMENT THAT'S COME IN IS, IF YOU'D BE WILLING TO SET ASIDE A PORTION OF THE TOTAL FOR PERHAPS SOME SORT OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN.
I'M NOT SAYING REDUCE THE THE SPECS.
I'M NOT SAYING PUT A SIGN NEXT TO THIS IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IS TRYING TO DEVISE A PLAN SO THAT PERHAPS TO CITY INCENTIVES, WORKING WITH YOU,
[02:40:06]
THE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDER TO WORK ON A PLAN WITH US WHERE PERHAPS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH SOME INCENTIVES FOR OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WHETHER IT BE POLICE, FIRE, TEACHERS, NURSES.WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON A PLAN SUCH AS THAT?
>> WE'D BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT IT. YES, ABSOLUTELY.
GETTING BACK JUST FOR A SECOND WITH THE ACCESS POINT.
I KNOW THAT ROAD A GOES INTO ROAD B, BUT FOR A VERY LONG PART OF THE FUTURE, THE ONLY ACCESS IS GOING TO BE WHAT YOU DETERMINED AS ROAD A BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PUT ROAD B UNTIL THE OTHER PARTS COME ONLINE.
BASED ON THE CURRENT RATE OF SALE IN OUR CITY AND RATE OF PERMANENT, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TIME.
IN ESSENCE, WE'RE GOING JOHN SMITH ROAD, GOING INTO PINE ARBOR, AND GOING TO 278 FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.
THESE 260 TOWN HOMES THAT'S GOING TO BE THEIR ROUTE IN AND OUT, WHICH IS GOING TO ADD ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ON WHAT IS A FAILING INTERSECTION.
WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE WORKSHOP, WE'RE OFTEN CRITICIZED.
PUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN FIRST BEFORE YOU PUT THE HOMES IN.
WELL, WE KNOW THAT'S KIND OF TOUGH AND PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE HAVE GIVEN FOR THE MORGAN TRACT EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THAT INTERSECTION.
THANKS TO THE JASPER COUNTY SALES TAX REFERENDUM, WE HAVE $65 MILLION TO IMPROVE 278.
I SEE NO SAFE PUBLIC SAFETY REASON WHY WE HAVE TO ADD ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT BEFORE WE HAVE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS BE FINISHED.
I THINK THE BRIDGE CLOSURE IS JUST GOING TO MAKE THAT INTERSECTION EVEN WORSE AND SO I'LL GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID AT THE WORKSHOP.
I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPRUDENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO PUT THE PUBLIC AT SAFETY WHILE YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK.
WELL, ALL WE'RE ASKING IS TO WAIT UNTIL WE'RE FINISHED.
THERE IS NO REASON TO RUSH AND GET THIS THING DONE BEFORE THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE DONE.
THIS SCHEDULE THAT YOU JUST PUT UP HERE IT'S DOTS.
>> ALSO, THE CITY SCHEDULE IN GREEN FOR THE 278 JOHNSON ROAD INTERSECTION.
WE HAVE THREE PLUS YEARS OF STUDIES, DESIGN, PERMITTING, AND THEN OUR OWN SITE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DO BEFORE THE FIRST HOME EVEN BEGINS TO GO VERTICAL.
BASED ON THAT SCHEDULE, WE WON'T EVEN START HOME CONSTRUCTION UNTIL 278 INTERSECTION IS COMPLETED THEN.
IT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS THE ABILITY TO GO AND GET STARTED AND DO THOSE KIND OF STUDIES TO GET OURSELVES IN LINE WITH THOSE.
>> BUT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US FOR NEXT YEAR IN FIVE MONTHS TIME TO START TIMBERING.
>> ONLY IN ORDER TO TRY TO TIME IT UP WITH THE BRIDGE CLOSURE IF THAT WOULD BE.
>> I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU TIME IT UP WITH.
TIMBERING MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TRUCKS WITH BIG TIMBER TRUCKS GOING ON A INTERSECTION AND A ROADWAY THAT IS RIGHT NOW A PUBLIC SAFETY NIGHTMARE.
AS I SAID, 34% OF THE ACCIDENTS ON 278 ARE AT THAT INTERSECTION AND THAT'S BEFORE YOU BRING ALL YOUR TRUCKS IN THERE.
AGAIN, THERE'S NO RUSH TO PUT OUR PUBLIC,
[02:45:02]
IT'S AT RISK SAFETY WIDE.WAIT. I DON'T SEE WHY YOU DIDN'T HEAR US AT THE WORKSHOP AND ASK YOU TO WAIT UNTIL THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE FINISHED.
FOR ME, I THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE REQUEST.
WE'RE NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T DO IT, BUT JUST WAIT UNTIL THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE.
I THOUGHT FROM OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND PDD WORK, THE INTENT WAS TO TRY TO MAXIMIZE SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WHILE THE BRIDGE WAS CLOSED.
WE SHOWED THIS POTENTIAL CLEARING, TIMBERING IN LINE WITH THE BRIDGE CLOSURE BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT COUNSEL WOULD WANT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE TIMBERING WHILE THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED, IF IT WORKS BETTER FOR US TO DO IT MORE IN LINE WITH OUR SCHEDULE.
THAT WAS US SAYING, HEY, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, IF THAT WOULD BE AT COUNSEL'S PLEASURE.
IF THAT'S NOT THE COUNCIL DESIRE, WE WILL CERTAINLY NOT DO ANY TIMBERING WHILE THAT BRIDGE IS OUT OF OPERATION.
>> I THINK WHAT THE COUNSEL SAID TO YOU AT THE WORKSHOP UNLESS MY MEMORY MAY BE FAULTY WAS WAIT UNTIL THE 278 INTERSECTIONS ARE FINISHED.
IF I'M LOOKING AT YOUR SCHEDULE HERE, YOU'VE GOT CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING.
YOU'VE GOT TIMBERING BEGINNING NEXT YEAR.
THAT'S LONG BEFORE, WE'RE NOT EVEN OUT TO BID NEXT YEAR ON THAT 278.
UNTIL DOT GETS US A BETTER OR MORE SECURE PROJECTION, I DON'T THINK WE CAN TAKE DOT SCHEDULED TO THE BANK.
THAT BANK HAS BEEN BANKRUPTED MORE THAN ONCE, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT.
I DON'T SEE THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO RUSH TO GET THIS THING STARTED.
I'M SORRY, I DON'T SEE THE REASON.
IT'S GOT MORE RISK, MORE PUBLIC SAFETY RISK THAN IT HAS BENEFIT.
LIKE I SAID, AT THE WORKSHOP, I SAID, "HEY, COME BACK LATER." LET'S GET A BETTER HANDLE ON WHAT THE TIMETABLES ARE AND START TIMBERING ONCE WE KNOW THOSE TRUCKS CAN COME OUT AND GO INTO A SAFE INTERSECTION.
>> WHAT AT RISK WITH THAT IS OUR PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE.
AGAIN, I THINK THE GOAL AND THE PREFERENCE IS FOR US TO INSTALL INFRASTRUCTURE AHEAD OF THE DENSITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THE PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILLY OUTLINED IS WE'RE JUST WAITING ON STREET NAMES, WHERE WE'RE 98% OF THE WAY THERE TO GET OUR APPROVAL.
WE HAVE A REPUTABLE CONTRACTOR LINED UP.
WE HAVE FUNDING LINED UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS INVESTMENT THAT HIC IS DOING.
WE'RE DOING THE SAME WITH WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ROADWAY EXTENSION, PINERA ROAD, WE'RE READY TO DO THAT.
THE SEQUENCING WORKS HAND IN GLOVE, WITH WHAT WILLY'S PORTRAYED.
AGAIN, TAKING TIMBERING OUT OF THE EQUATION.
WE'RE TRYING TO TIME IT RIGHT, SO WHAT WE DON'T WANT.
WE HAVE TO PUT EVERYTHING ON HOLD FOR TWO YEARS, AS YOU'RE SUGGESTING, IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO PRE INSTALL SOME INFRASTRUCTURE, HAVE IT SITTING IN THE GROUND FOR YEARS.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET SOME ASSURANCE BECAUSE PART OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE, OBVIOUSLY, IS TO SERVE PARCEL 13.
AGAIN, WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD FOR 12 MONTHS, WARD EDWARDS HAS TO GET WE'VE GOT ALL OUR PERMITS FOR THAT PHASE 1 INFRASTRUCTURE.
THAT'S COMMITMENT FROM A DEVELOPER.
WE ARE FULLY MARCHING FORWARD HERE.
AGAIN, WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AS MUCH AS YOU SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ONE RESIDENT TURN ONTO PINE ARBOR ROAD WITHOUT THAT INTERSECTION DONE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND A SAFE INTERSECTION AT PINE ARBOR, WHETHER IT BE THE ROUNDABOUT, OR DCL LANES, WHATEVER THE TRAFFIC CONSULTANTS AND STAFF AND COUNSEL DECIDE.
WE'RE TRYING TO SET UP THE SAFEST SCENARIO.
WE'RE TRYING TO TIME OUR INVESTMENT.
AGAIN, WE GOT TO MAKE A BIG BUSINESS DECISION HERE.
IF WE'RE DELAYED, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE, WE LOSE THAT MOMENTUM.
WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE DOMINOS START TO FALL.
THE RETAILERS ARE EXPECTING RESIDENTIAL.
THEY'RE EXPECTING INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT'S LIKE DOMINOES, LIKE I SAID, AND SO AGAIN, IT'S COMPLICATED.
WE HEAR YOU, AND THIS CHART SPEAKS
[02:50:01]
VOLUMES ABOUT SAFETY AND THE FACT THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE INSTALLED.WE'RE WILLING TO TIME IT RIGHT.
WE'RE TALKING THREE YEARS BEFORE THERE'S A CO OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
ALL THE WHILE, WE'VE GOT, AGAIN, THAT PRIMARY INFRASTRUCTURE GOING IN.
IT'S TIMING PERFECTLY WITH THE CITY'S SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE GOING TO MEET PERFECTLY AT THE JOHN SMITH ROAD INTERSECTION, SO WE CAN HOOK INTO THE NEW FORCE MAIN THAT WE'VE ALREADY HELPED FUND.
AGAIN, SIR, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A SUMMATION THAT I THINK JUST WARRANTS ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION.
>> I THANK YOU FOR THAT, KEVIN.
BUT AGAIN, EVERYTHING YOU SAID.
THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS DECISION, THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
BUT FOR THE FIVE OF US UP HERE, OUR BUSINESS IS THE PEOPLE OF HARDEEVILLE, AND KEEPING THEM SAFE.
YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED FOR PDD, AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE.
BUT IN MY OPINION, BY MOVING TOO FAST ON THIS, AND IT'S NOT MY CONCERN, IT'S NOT MY JOB TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.
MY CONCERN IS THE PEOPLE SITTING RIGHT BEHIND YOU AND KEEPING THEM SAFE.
RIGHT NOW, THE CRASH DATA SAYS, IT'S ALREADY UNSAFE, AND IF YOU ADD TO THAT BEFORE THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE DONE, IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN MORE UNSAFE.
I CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SAY THAT I'LL VOTE FOR THAT.
IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME TO SAY YES.
I'M SORRY, BUT MY BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
BUT THAT'S THE REALITY FOR ME. I'M FINISHED. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK JUST ON THE FINAL NOTE, WE'RE THREE YEARS FROM AVERY HAVING THE FIRST HOMEOWNER BE ACTIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY, AND SO IF WE WAIT 2.5-3 YEARS TO START THIS PROCESS, WE'RE NOW THREE YEARS FROM THEN FROM HAVING A HOMEOWNER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M SAYING THE GOAL WAS ALSO THAT WE WON'T HAVE ANYONE LIVING THERE UNTIL THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS COMPLETELY INSTALLED AND OPERATIONAL AND SAFE AND FUNCTIONAL AS REQUIRED BY THE PDD AND THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
>> ACCORDING TO THIS TIMETABLE UP HERE, YOU WANT A TIMBER NEXT FIRST QUARTER, AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE CONSTRUCTING LONG BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IS FINISHED.
>> AGAIN, THAT'S AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNCIL.
THAT WAS AN OPTION THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE, JUST GIVEN THAT WINDOW THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, SO THAT COULD BE PUT BACK INTO ITS NORMAL SEQUENCE.
>> MY PREFERENCE IS TO WAIT UNTIL THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE FINISHED. THAT'S MY PREFERENCE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT, WE'VE HAD COUNCIL COMMENTS, AND PROBABLY MORE COMMENTS THAN YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM ME.
WAS THERE ANY OTHER I KNOW SOMEBODY WANTED TO FROM THE PUBLIC? [BACKGROUND] THE QUESTIONING IS DONE, SO NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.
I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FIRST READING OF 2025-11-06E.
>> MR. MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A WORKSHOP CAN BE SCHEDULED BASED ON INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS EVENING.
>> COUNCILMAN MEERSMAN, DO YOU HAVE A DATE YOU'D LIKE TO TABLE THAT TO? OUR NEXT TWO MEETINGS THIS YEAR ARE ON NOVEMBER 20TH, AND THEN, AGAIN, I BELIEVE DECEMBER 11TH.
>> CAN WE PUT THIS INTO THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY BECAUSE THE INFORMATION THAT IS GOING TO BE NEEDED, ESPECIALLY THE BUFFERING THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND THE ROAD USE, ARE THE TWO PRIMARY ISSUES? I DON'T THINK THOSE CAN BE PUT TOGETHER IN THE NEXT 3, 4 WEEKS.
>> YOU HAVE NOT SET YOUR MEETING DATES FOR 2026 YET.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL HAVE ON AN UPCOMING AGENDA.
>> CAN WE SAY THAT WE WILL ADDRESS THIS WITH
[02:55:03]
A WORKSHOP PRIOR TO THE FIRST MEETING WE HAVE IN JANUARY, AND THIS ITEM WILL BE ON THE AGENDA, THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY?>> YES, SIR. I BELIEVE THAT WILL WORK.
>> THAT WILL BE MY MOTION THEN.
>> MR. MEERSMAN, I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO CHANGE YOUR MOTION, BUT JUST KEEP IN MIND THE SCHEDULE OF DECEMBER.
IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT WORKSHOP PRIOR TO THE FIRST READING OR THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY, WE'RE GOING TO BE HARD PRESSED FOR GETTING [OVERLAPPING].
DO YOU FOLLOW WHAT I'M SAYING? [OVERLAPPING] I JUST WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THAT IN YOUR MOTION.
>> I UNDERSTAND. I WILL MODIFY THAT FOR THE SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY.
DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> WE HAVE TABLING TO THE SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY.
I WOULD ASK, JOSH, IF WE COULD HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES OF BOTH DOT AND THE 278 JOHN SMITH ROAD PROJECT.
>> LET ME GET TO THE RIGHT PAGE.
NEXT, WE HAVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY, PARCEL 0380-6-036 LOCATED AT 526 ROPER ROAD, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 30.02 ACRES FROM UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY, NOT ALREADY WITHIN THE HARDEEVILLE CITY LIMITS, AS WELL AS ALL ADJACENT PUBLIC RAILROAD RIGHTS-OF-WAY, WATERS, LOWLANDS, AND WETLANDS.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-11-06F.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BOTH ITEMS F AND G ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA ARE RELATED TO THE SAME PROPERTY AND THE SAME PROPOSAL.
AS WE DISCUSSED WITH PLEASANT BROOK, THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE AUTHORIZATION TO ANNEX THE PROPERTY FROM UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY INTO THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, AND THEN THE SECOND ITEM, ITEM G, WOULD THEN ASSIGN ZONING TO THAT PROPERTY ONCE IT'S BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE CITY.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO BRIANNA, AND I'LL LET HER OUTLINE BOTH THE PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND WHAT THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING.
>> POWERPOINT IS SLOW, BUT BASICALLY, WHAT I DID IN THE POWERPOINT IS AN UPDATE.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG EVENING, BUT WE'LL TRY TO GET THROUGH THE REHASH SHORTLY.
THE REQUEST IS FOR AN ANNEXATION AND ZONING ON ROPER ROAD, WHICH IS IN THE LEAVY COMMUNITY.
IT IS APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES, AND THEY WERE REQUESTING THE LIMITED INDUSTRIAL ZONING.
THE PURPOSE THAT THEY'VE ASKED FOR A SOLAR FARM.
YOU HAD SOME QUESTIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP.
ONE WAS ON THE CLEANLINESS OR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY OF SOLAR. HERE IT IS GOOD.
BASICALLY, WHAT I'VE ADDED TO THESE SLIDES IS JUST ONE SLIGHT THING.
ONCE AGAIN, REMIND YOU WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
IT IS OUTLINED IN RED DOWN THERE OFF OF 315, SOUTH OKATIE HIGHWAY.
THAT IS A ZOOMED-IN PORTION OF THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION.
WE SHOULD SHOW YOU THE DRONE FOOTAGE.
THERE ARE SOME SNAPSHOTS FROM THAT SHOWING THE TREE CANOPY AND COVERAGE, AND THE RESIDENTIAL UNITS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WHEN WE REACHED OUT TO PALMETTO ELECTRIC COOP FOR SOME INFORMATION ON SOLAR, AND BASICALLY WHAT THEY COULD TELL US WAS THAT THE SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY STRONGLY PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE USE AND A VERY BIG PROPONENT OF SOLAR ENERGY,
[03:00:08]
MAINLY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T USE FUEL, AND IT IS MANUFACTURED IN A WAY THAT IT IS SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.IN FACT, THEIRS BEHIND THEIR LOCATION ON 278 IS RIGHT BY THEIR RETENTION POND.
IF THAT TELLS YOU ANYTHING AND THE WETLANDS THAT ARE OUT THERE IN THE NEW RIVER CENTER.
THAT DOES GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ON HOW THEY VIEW IT.
THAT IS THE MOST INFORMATION WE HAVE.
I DO NOT HAVE THE WETLAND DELINEATION.
I GOT SOME INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT, BUT IT WAS NOT ANYTHING.
IT WAS JUST SCREENSHOTS OF INFORMATION, SO I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THAT DETAILS.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, JUST TO PUT IT OUT THERE, THE REQUEST IS FOR INDUSTRIAL ZONING AND ANNEXATION ON THIS PARCEL HERE SHOWN IN RED.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
THE APPLICANT IS ALSO HERE TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, BRIANNA. DOES THE APPLICANT HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY?
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS RICK MUSTAFA.
I'M THE APPLICANT FOR LIGHT LAND DEVELOPMENT.
WE DID SUBMIT EVERYTHING WE SPOKE ABOUT IN THE WORKSHOP.
I WILL GET A WETLAND DELINEATION MORE TO HER.
BUT AS OUR SCREENSHOT A TOUR, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY WETLANDS FROM LAND ID, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY WETLANDS ON OUR PARCEL ITSELF.
RIGHT NOW, I KNOW YOU GUYS KEEP SAYING, WHEN LEAVY GROWS UP, WHAT DO WE WANT TO BE? WHATEVER THEY WANT TO BE, THEY ARE GOING TO NEED ENERGY TO BE THAT.
WE ARE PROPOSING TO BRING ENERGY ON OUR DIME TO LEAVY BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE STEPCHILDS, AS SOME OF THE PEOPLE SAID, AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THEIR POWER PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAD VERY EXTENSIVE OUTAGES DOWN IN THE LEAVY AREA, SO THIS WOULD JUST BE AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE GRID IN THAT LOCATION.
I DID SPEAK WITH A FEW OF THE COMMITTEE FROM THE PUBLIC IN LEAVY.
WHAT WE DID ADD TO OUR PROJECT WAS TO INITIATE A SMALL TWO-BAY FIREHOUSE ON THAT PROPERTY AS WELL, BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY FIRE PROTECTION, AND THE ONE THAT WAS THERE WAS LEAVING.
THAT'S ALL I WOULD HAVE TO SAY AT THIS POINT UNTIL WE MOVE ON.
>> WILL YOU ALSO PAY FOR THE FIREMEN AND THE FIRE TRUCKS? [LAUGHTER]
>> THAT WE'LL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK BEFORE WE OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC OR THE COUNCIL AT THE WORKSHOP, WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL, AND FOR HIM TO CLARIFY WHAT HIS STATEMENTS WERE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAD AT THAT TIME.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
BASED UPON WHAT WE HAVE POLYGON HERE WITH THE POTENTIAL ANNEXATION, SOLAR FARMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE LOW FREQUENCY AREAS, THEY STILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE ANY OTHER PRODUCTS WOULD HAVE TO.
WE'D HAVE TO HAVE ADEQUATE ROAD SYSTEMS AND FIRE PROTECTION FOR THAT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE AREA AND THE LACK OF CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A ROAD SYSTEM FOR US TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE AND INGRESS AND EGRESS TO THIS PARCEL.
BASED UPON WHAT I'M SEEING NOW WITH THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I HAVE INTAKE FROM THE MEETINGS, I DON'T THINK IT'S ADVANTAGEOUS FOR US RIGHT NOW WITH THIS UNLESS THERE'S AN EXTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN TO BRING THAT THERE.
>> CHIEF, FROM OUR CLOSEST FIRE STATION, WHICH WOULD BE 84, RIGHT?
>> WHAT'S THE DISTANCE TO THIS POINT?
>> I HAVE NOT RUN AN ANALYSIS EXACTLY HOW FAR IT WOULD BE, BUT TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS AREA, YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO AROUND THE 315 ROUTE, SO IT'S WAY BEYOND BASED UPON WHAT I'M LOOKING AT HERE.
IT'S NOT ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THAT.
THE WAY THAT THIS ROAD OR THE WAY THAT THE PARCEL IS LAID OUT.
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT MILEAGE, BUT I CAN'T RUN THOSE FOR YOU.
>> IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE FIVE MILE RADIUS THAT WE
[03:05:04]
HAVE BEEN TARGETING TO GET OUR FIRE STATIONS WITHIN?>> POTENTIALLY THROUGH DRIVE MILES, AGAIN, I HAVEN'T RUN THAT DIAGNOSTIC YET, BUT WE COULD CERTAINLY DO SO.
EVEN IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE FIVE MILES, AGAIN, THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THE LACK OF ROAD SYSTEMS TO ACCESS THE SITE, TO BE ABLE IN THERE IS OUR GREATEST CONCERN TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AND/OR LIFE SAFETY RESCUE IF NEEDED.
>> WELL, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES.
IT'S ONE, ACCESSING, BUT FROM WHAT YOU ALL HAVE TAUGHT ME OVER THE YEARS, IF IT'S OUTSIDE THE FIVE MILE RADIUS, THAT COULD HAVE A POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR ISO RADIUS.
>> YES. IF IT'S OUTSIDE THE FIVE MILES, IT CAN HAVE BEARINGS ON THAT. IT IS OUTSIDE.
>> THERE'S ACCESS AND THERE'S THE ISO RADIUS.
>> CORRECT. NEITHER ONE OF THEM ARE ADVANTAGEOUS, AND I THINK YOU ALMOST RAN IT, IT'S A LITTLE OVER FIVE MILES.
WHEN WE GET TO COUNSEL QUESTIONS, WE MAY CALL YOU BACK.
>> I KNOW THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN EAGERLY AWAITING THIS MOMENT.
I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC FOR ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PROJECT.
>> JUST COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SIR, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS IS NOT A WORKSHOP.
>> WE WILL HEAR YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS WITHIN THE THREE MINUTE ALLOTTED TIME AND THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH.
>> I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT DOWN TO 3 MINUTES, MR. MAYOR.
THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME UP HERE.
I LIVE AT 264 FLORIDA DRIVE, WHICH IS JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT.
LET ME GO BACK AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AREA THAT I THINK YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.
BACK IN THE 1960S, GENTLEMAN'S FAMILY NAMED JEAN HADWIN OWNED WHAT IS NOW OSPREY LAKES.
DAN BRYAN OWNED THE PROPERTY WHERE MY WIFE AND I NOW LIVE.
THEY GOT TOGETHER AND PUT IN WITH THE CONSENT OF ALL THE LAND OWNERS A DRAINAGE CANAL THAT DRAINED FROM OSPREY LAKES, THROUGH THE SEABOARD COASTLINE RAILROAD PROPERTY, WHICH IS NOW MONROE, THROUGH OUR PROPERTY, WHICH WAS THEN MR. BRYAN, THROUGH THE PROPERTY RIGHT TO THE NORTH OF US, WHICH IS AYRES PROPERTY OF THE ROBINSONS, AND THROUGH AYRES PROPERTY, WHICH AT THAT TIME [NOISE] WAS OWNED BY A LADY NAMED MRS. ROPER.
I DON'T KNOW MRS. ROPER'S FIRST NAME, BUT THAT'S WHERE ROPER ROAD CAME FROM.
IT THEN WENT ACROSS TWO OTHER AYRES PROPERTIES, AND IT CAME OUT OVER BY DOCTOR AND MRS. FLEXEN'S PROPERTY AND WENT INTO A AREA RIGHT ADJACENT TO THE SEABOARD COASTLINE RAILROAD TRACKS, WHICH WERE THEN THERE, THE TRACKS, AND WENT UNDER A CULVERT AND WENT INTO MONKEY JOHN SWAMP.
EVERYBODY WHO WAS PART OF THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THAT DRAINAGE CANAL, HAD THE RIGHT TO DRAIN THEIR PROPERTIES INTO THE DRAINAGE CANAL, AND ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAD THAT RIGHT SINCE ABOUT 1960, AND SO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THEIR DOWN TITLE PEOPLE HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS.
NOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
BUT WHAT THAT MEANS IS IS THAT IF SOMEBODY HAS HAD AN EASEMENT FOR MORE THAN 21 YEARS, WHY THEY HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO MAINTAIN THAT EASEMENT WITHOUT IT BEING OBSTRUCTED OR CHANGED IN ANY WAY.
WHAT YOU HAVE IS YOU HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS FOR ALL THE PROPERTY OWNERS AT OSPREY LAKES,
[03:10:02]
WHERE THERE ARE 63 HOUSES, YOU HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN CARROLL ESTATES, WHERE THERE ARE 25 HOUSES.YOU HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS FOR MY WIFE AND MYSELF, FOR THE ROBINSON'S HEIRS, FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO FRONT ONTO ROPER ROAD, SUCH AS BISHOP YOUNG.
YOU HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEYOND MRS. ROPER'S PROPERTY.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS IS THAT THESE PROPOSED DEVELOPERS CANNOT LEGALLY OBSTRUCT THAT DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
THAT IS VERY CRUCIAL TO US BECAUSE THAT DRAINAGE SYSTEM MEANS THAT IF WE HAVE A HURRICANE OR IF WE HAVE VERY EXTENSIVE RAIN SITUATIONS, WHILE ALL THAT WATER WILL BE CARRIED OFF AND GO INTO MONKEY JOHN SWAMP, GO ACROSS HIGHWAY 17 THROUGH THE BIG CULVERTS THERE, INTO A BIG RICE FIELD CANAL, AND GO BACK OUT INTO THE SAVANNAH RIVER, RATHER THAN COMING BACK ONTO US AND FLOODING OUR PROPERTIES.
>> CAN I MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT, SIR?
>> I'VE GIVEN YOU A LOT OF LATITUDE.
>> ONE MORE THING THAT I'D LIKE TO SAY.
THE SECOND THING I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT TO YOU IS THAT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT OBSTRUCT THOSE THINGS, IF THERE'S RUNOFF, AS THE LADY MISS GUZMAN WAS POINTING OUT, THAT'S GOING TO GO IN TO THIS DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
THE OLD RAILROAD BED, AND IT'S GOING TO GO INTO MONKEY JOHN SWAMP, AND THEN IT'S GOING TO GO UNDER HIGHWAY 17 AND COME OUT ON THE SAVANNAH WILDLIFE REFUGE AND ALL THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THAT.
ALL THAT POLLUTION IS GOING TO RUN INTO ALL THOSE CRUCIAL WETLANDS, MONKEY JOHN SWAMP, THE SAVANNAH WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND THE PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO IT.
I WOULD SUGGEST TO YOU THAT THIS IS A ILL FATED THING.
YOU SHOULD TURN IT DOWN, RESPECTFULLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. YES, SIR. COME ON UP.
STAFF, WOULD YOU PLEASE, DEPENDING ON THE VOTE, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME VERIFICATION EXPLANATION OF WHAT WAS JUST SAID TO US?
>> SOME PICTURES I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
MY COMMENTS WILL EXPLAIN SOME OF THE PICTURES.
PART OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OF THIS PROPOSED SOLAR FARM.
I LIVE AT 1730 OSPREY LAKE CIRCLE.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE FOR FIVE YEARS.
I'VE SPOKEN TO YOU BEFORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED SANDPIT, A MONROE SANDPIT.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR FARM DOES LEAD TO AS PROVEN AND STATED BY MORE SOLAR, WHICH IS A SOLAR MANUFACTURER THEMSELVES, THAT STATE THAT THE LEAD CONTAMINATION, CADMIUM CONTAMINATION, COPPER, ZINC, AND PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES THAT ARE USED TO MAINTAIN THE SOLAR FARMS DO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEGRADATION OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
WE HAVE IN HARDEEVILLE, FORTUNATELY, QUITE A LOT OF BENEFIT OF THESE FEDERAL PARK AND STATE PARKS THAT RUN THROUGH THE AREA.
THE MONKEY JOHN SWAMP IS ONE IMPORTANT SOURCE OF WATER FOR THESE COMMUNITIES.
THE SOLAR FARM WOULD FIRST CUT OFF THE BARRIER TO MIGRATION, WHERE THE FIRST PICTURE YOU SEE BY THE FIRE PIT IS A FLORIDA PANTHER THAT WANDERED THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD JUST IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THIS BECAUSE THESE FLORIDA PANTHERS TRAVEL ALL THE WAY FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA, OBVIOUSLY, ALL THROUGH OUR AREA AND UP TO UPSTATE GEORGIA.
SOLAR FARMS ARE TRADITIONALLY A BARRIER TO MIGRATION THROUGH THE FENCES AND THE CONSTRUCTION THAT'S INVOLVED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THEM.
IN ADDITION, THE LAKE EFFECT PHENOMENON, WHICH OCCURS FROM SOLAR FARMS IS THAT THE SOLAR FARMS ARE ON THE SAME POLARIZATION AS A SURFACE OF A WATER POND.
[03:15:05]
WHAT HAPPENS IS WATER FOWL, PARTICULARLY SEA FOWL AND WATER FOWL WILL MISTAKE THEM FOR LAKES AND CRASH INTO SOLAR FARMS THEMSELVES, CAUSING QUITE A LOT OF DEVASTATION.HE PRESENTLY HAS ENDANGERED WOODLAND STORKS, WHICH WOULD BE A TYPICAL TYPE OF BIRD THAT WOULD BE ENDANGERED BY THIS TYPE OF POLARIZATION OF THE SURFACE OF THE SOLAR FARM.
WE HAVE ASPICS, WHICH I'VE PICTURED THERE AS WELL, TOO.
IN ADDITION, WHAT YOU FIND IS THAT WITHIN THE AREA, BESIDES THE INCREASE OF FIRE EFFECT AND THE DEVASTATION ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, MORSE SOLAR THEMSELVES SAY THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED WHEN THEY BUILD A SOLAR FARM.
IT IS UP TO YOU TO HELP TO ADDRESS THAT CONCERN.
THERE HAS BEEN, AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DONE TO HOW THIS FARM WOULD AFFECT THE WILDLIFE THAT LIVES DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THIS FARM OR PROPOSED FARM.
IN ADDITION, THERE'S A TEMPERATURE GAIN THAT USUALLY OCCURS FROM 3-4 DEGREES IN THE LOCAL AREA, WHICH AFFECTS THE SOILS WITHIN THE AREA FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALSO THE ADJOINING FARMS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE PRINTS, BUT MY PRINTER RAN OUT OF INK.
>> I THINK ALSO, SHOULD WE GET TO THE NEXT STAGE? AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED ON TO COUNSEL THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STUDY OR LOOK AT.
WE WOULD NEED CLARIFICATION OF THESE POINTS. NEXT.
>> BETH HAYAK, 1148 S BAY LAKE CIRCLE.
I'VE BEEN THERE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.
I COME BEFORE YOU TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR THE NEW BUSINESS IN REGARDS TO ROPER ROAD.
THE CHANGE TO ROPER ROAD WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 8 AND DENIED.
AS A RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DENYING THE REZONING OF IT FROM RURAL PRESERVATION TO LIMITED INDUSTRIAL.
AS IT WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE WORKSHOP EARLIER THIS WEEK, ONCE A PIECE OF PROPERTY IS CHANGED FROM ONE FORM OF RURAL PRESERVATION TO LIMITED INDUSTRIALIZATION, IT CANNOT BE CHANGED BACK AGAIN.
THE ONE QUESTION I HAD ABOUT THE SOLAR FARM WAS, WHO'S GOING TO PURCHASE THE ELECTRICITY FROM THIS PERSON AND FROM THIS APPLICANT? IF HE DOESN'T ALREADY HAVE A SOLID CONTRACT FOR SOMEBODY TO PURCHASE THE SOLAR THAT HE IS SELLING, THEN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE LAND? IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE WORKSHOP THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY TURN AROUND AND DITCH THE WHOLE SOLAR PLAN APPLICATION PART, BUT STILL NOW THE LAND WOULD BE LIMITED INDUSTRIAL, AND HE COULD PUT SOMETHING ELSE IN THERE.
THE CHANGES PUT BEFORE YOU WILL PUT THE RESIDENTS OF OSPREY LAKE CARROLL ESTATES AND FLORIDA ROAD AND LEAVE A COMMUNITY AT RISK.
THE REASON IT WOULD BE PUT AT RISK, ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR THESE COMMUNITIES IS A CONCERN AS THE MAIN DITCH THAT SERVES THESE COMMUNITIES IS ALREADY IN JEOPARDY DUE TO THE MONROE PROJECT THAT HAS AN OPEN APPLICATION.
THE MONROE PROJECT, IF APPROVED, WILL EXCAVATE DIRECTLY OVER THE MAIN DITCH THAT SERVES OSPREY LAKE AND CARROLL ESTATES.
AS WE KNOW, LIVING IN THE LOW COUNTY, WHICH I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT HAS MORE FLOODING THAN I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.
THE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ADDRESSED THE ISSUES AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP ON OCTOBER 8TH PLANNING MEETING.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER NOT ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FLOODING AND THE FIRES AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH CHANGES.
[03:20:12]
>> HI, I'M COURTNEY FLEXEN, 2712 LEAVY ROAD.
WE'RE THE ONES AT THE END OF THE DRAINAGE FLOW AND WE HAVE THE CULVERTS RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR PROPERTY THAT GO UNDER THE EASEMENT ROAD TO THE MONROE PROPERTY.
MUCH OF WHICH IS MONKEY JOHN SWAMP, AND AS IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED, GOES DOWN TO THE WILDLIFE REFUGE AND BEYOND.
>> I THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR AT LEAST TO ME THAT THIS DENIED.
FIRST, THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED AGAINST IT.
SECOND, YOU'VE GOT THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE FIRE MARSHAL ABOUT ACCESS, AND THIRD, AS A RESIDENT OF LEAVY, THE COMMUNITY IS TRYING VERY HARD TO STAY RURAL PRESERVATION AND A HAMLET AND HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IF IT GOES INDUSTRIAL IN ZONING, IT'S VERY HARD TO WALK THAT BACK.
SO FOR ALL OF THOSE REASONS, I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU WILL DENY THIS APPLICATION. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DORIS YOUNG.
COUNCIL, I HAVE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WORD IN HERE IN F. IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ANNEX INTO THE CITY? IN CORPORATED OF JASPER COUNTY.
IF IT'S THE COUNTY, I'M JUST CONCERNED, IS IT GOING TO BE ANNEX IN TO THE CITY OR WILL IT REMAIN IN THE COUNTY? IN YOUR NEXT VERSE, YOU HAVE A WORD, YOU'RE DOING AN INTERCHANGE IN OF WORDS, YOU SAY ANNEX, THEN YOU SAID REZONE.
>> THERE'S TWO THINGS HAPPENING OR BEING REQUESTED, AND THERE'S TWO SEPARATE ORDINATES.
THE FIRST ONE IS A REQUEST TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY.
IF WE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THAT, THEN IT WOULD BE IN THE CITY.
IF IT IS ANNEXED INTO THE CITY, THEN THE SECOND PART IS WE'RE BEING ASKED TO REZONE IT.
IF WE DON'T ANNEX IT IN, THEN WE CAN'T REZONE WHAT'S NOT OURS.
IT STAYS IN THE COUNTY, WE DON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THE SECOND ONE, BECAUSE IT'S ONLY APPLICABLE IF WE ANNEX IT INTO THE CITY.
WE CANNOT REZONE SOMETHING THAT'S IN JASPER COUNTY.
>> ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? LET'S GO TO COUNCIL QUESTIONS.
JOHN, YOU WANT TO TAKE US AWAY FIRST?
>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE WORKSHOP.
THE BIG QUESTION I HAD WAS ABOUT THE FIRE SITUATION AND JOEY ANSWERED THAT.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ANSWERED THAT.
THAT WAS MY BIG QUESTION. THAT'S IT, MAYOR.
>> I HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO WASTE ANY MORE TIME? I THINK JOEY, CHIEF ROLE ANSWERED THE BIGGEST QUESTION THAT I HAD, AND THAT WAS THE FIRE SITUATION.
MR. ROLE, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, SIR.
I THINK MR. MAYOR ALREADY MAY HAVE ADDRESSED THIS WITH THE ISO RATING.
ASSUMING THIS PASSES, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE INSURANCE RATES OF THESE HOMES IF THE SOLAR FARM GOES IN AND YOU HAVE LENGTHY RESPONSE TIME?
>> IT CAN HAVE IMPACTS ON ISO IF IT'S OUTSIDE THE FIVE MILES, AND WE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO RUN THAT.
BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SOLAR, THE IMPACTS COULD BE MINIMAL, IT COULD BE MAJOR, IT JUST DEPENDS ON HOW THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DISTRIBUTE THE RATES BASED UPON THAT.
BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITH WATER,
[03:25:01]
THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITH ROADS IN THERE TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS AND ADEQUATELY ENGAGE IN A FIREFIGHT IF THERE WAS SOMETHING TO OCCUR THERE.>> THE GENTLEMEN WHO ARE BUILDING THIS? HOW MANY PANELS DO YOU PLAN ON PUTTING ON THAT PROPERTY?
>> PROBABLY ABOUT MAYBE 1,000.
>> THAT IS FOR YOUR FIVE MEGAWATTS.
IT'S 1,000 SO IT'S HIGH WATTAGE PANELS THAT'S GOING IN THERE?
>> BECAUSE LOOKING AT THE STUFF THAT I HAD LOOKED OVER, IT TALKED ABOUT ONE MEGAWATT OF SOLAR POWER ON THE FARM, IT REQUIRES 5-10 ACRES OF LAND, SOME SAY 6-8.
I WAS READING THAT IT WAS 2,857 PANELS, EACH RATED AT 350 WATTS TO ACHIEVE ONE MEGAWATT OF POWER.
>> NO, MA'AM. IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT TWO ACRES PER MEGAWATT, AND PANELS COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES WE'RE USING 100 WATT PANELS WHICH IS NOT THE MAXIMUM, NOT THE COMMERCIAL STANDARDS.
>> BECAUSE THE INFORMATION I HAVE IS 2,857 PANELS EACH RATED AT 350 WATTS TO ACHIEVE ONE MEGAWATT OF POWER.
THAT'S ALL THE INFORMATION I GOT FROM DIFFERENT WEBSITES. THANK YOU.
>> THE WASH DOWN OF THESE PANELS, SOME OF THE SITES THAT I HAVE BEEN ON SAID IT COULD UTILIZE ABOUT 25,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER MEGAWATT TO WASH DOWN THOSE PANELS PER WEEK IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING, IF YOU'RE WASHING THEM DOWN EVERY WEEK.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S A LOT OF WATER.
>> WE'RE NOT WASHING THEM DOWN EVERY WEEK.
THEY HAVE GLAZES ON THEM, SO THEY DON'T PICK UP THAT MUCH DIRT, BUT IT'LL BE ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH.
>> WHERE WOULD ALL THAT WATER BE CHANNELED?
>> WE ARE PUTTING IN THE RAIN COLLECTION SYSTEM IN THERE AND WE HAVE A DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT'S GOING TO BE THERE AS WELL, SO WE'LL BE COLLECTING ABOUT 20,000 GALLONS OF RAINWATER FOR THE WASHING OF THE PANELS.
>> WHERE WOULD THAT WATER DRAIN TO? AFTER IT'S WASHED, WHERE WOULD THAT USED UP WATER [INAUDIBLE]?
>> IT WOULD BE A REUSE SYSTEM, A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM, BE A REUSE SYSTEM AND REGULAR DRAINAGE TO GO TO THE ACTUAL DRAINAGE LOCATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.
>> IN THIS WOODED LOT HERE, YOU HAVE A DRAINAGE SYSTEM ALREADY?
>> NO, WE WILL HAVE TO PUT THAT IN.
>> RIGHT NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THAT?
>> NO, THERE'S NO INFRASTRUCTURE THERE, IT'S NOT WHAT THERE IS.
>> WELL, FIRST OFF IS, I'VE LISTENED TO THE OBJECTIONS TO THIS PROJECT FROM THE FOLKS OF LEAVY, AND I RESPECT YOUR OBJECTIONS.
I THINK WE MUST LISTEN TO THOSE.
MY SECOND CONCERN OR OBJECTION IS, THIS IS HARDWOOD, A LOT OF HARDWOOD TIMBER.
THIS ISN'T TREE FARM, THIS ISN'T PLANTED PINES, THIS IS HARDWOOD'S NATURAL FOREST.
I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM TAKING THOSE TREES DOWN BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE CLEAR CUTTING TO OPERATE A SOLAR FARM.
IT CAN'T GO ANY OTHER DIRECTION.
MY OTHER CONCERN IS BASED UPON THE FACTORS, ONE INCH OF RAIN OVER 1,000 PANELS THAT YOU HAVE YOU PLAN ON PUTTING THERE WILL GENERATE OVER 850,000 GALLONS OF WATER.
I HOPE YOU WOULD HAVE SOME BIG DRAINAGE STORAGE OVER THERE FOR THAT BECAUSE ONE INCH.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE HAD RAINS WHERE WE'VE GOTTEN THREE, FOUR, FIVE INCHES OF RAIN? WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE THE ENVIRONMENT, PUT THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST, WE HAVE THAT ADVANTAGE RIGHT NOW, I SUGGEST WE TAKE ADVANTAGE AND PROTECT IT.
I THINK SOLAR HAS A USE, BUT IT'S NOT AT THAT LOCATION, SIR. THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAD AN EXTENSIVE WORKSHOP THE OTHER DAY ON THIS, AND SO I'M JUST GOING TO BRING BACK SOME OF MY CONCERNS.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
I UNDERSTAND OSBURY VILLAGE THERE, OSPREY LAKE.
[03:30:03]
I DON'T THINK THAT THOSE STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO US FROM OUR STAFF.WHILE YOU MAY BE CORRECT, IT'S OUR OBLIGATION TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION, AND THAT INFORMATION HAS TO COME BACK FROM STAFF.
I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT TO MAKE A DECISION UNTIL STAFF HAD A CHANCE TO ADVISE THE COUNCIL ON SOME OF THE TOPICS, AND PARTICULARLY WITH THE DRAINAGE THAT MR. USEN WAS TALKING ABOUT, THAT WE HAVE SOME VERIFICATION.
I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I SAID THE OTHER DAY AND I STILL STRUGGLE WITH.
FIRST OF ALL, THE PLANNING COMMISSION SAID THAT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL WAS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS AREA.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS TO TAKE TO HEART.
OUR FIRE MARSHAL HAS ADVISED AGAINST IT.
TO DO SOMETHING CONTRARY TO THAT OPINION, AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND IT, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE WISDOM OF THAT.
ALSO, I KEEP SAYING THIS, AND EVERY TIME LEAVY COMES UP, IS IT LEAVY OR LEAVY?
>> LEAVY, OKAY. I'M JUST VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT LEAVY IS A RESULT OF, SOMEBODY WANTS SOMETHING, LET'S DO IT THERE.
THERE'S NOT A COHESIVE PLAN LONG BEFORE THIS COMES UP.
THAT BOTHERS ME, THAT LACK OF OVERALL PLAN FOR THAT COMMUNITY.
THERE'S TOO MANY QUESTIONS AND NEGATIVE FROM OUR OWN STAFF, FROM OUR OWN PLANNING COMMISSION THAT I THINK AT THIS TIME, I COULD NOT SUPPORT THIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY.
ANYWAY, WE'VE NOW HEARD FROM COUNCIL, WE'VE HEARD FROM STAFF, WE'VE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC.
NOW IT'S TIME. I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES.
THIS IS THE ORDINANCE TO ANNEX, AND THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-11-06F.
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DISAPPROVE THIS ORDINANCE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND, ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS MOTION, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLE.
>> YES, NO. WE WANT TO APPROVE.
>> DENY. THE ORDINANCE TO ANNEX IS DENIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0.
THAT MAKES THE NEXT ORDINANCE MOOT, AND SO WE WILL NOT.
SIR, MAY I SAY SOMETHING TO YOU? JUST LIKE MANY OF OUR DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE UP HERE, THEY'RE OFTEN NOT EASY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON YOUR PROFESSIONALISM.
>> YOUR POLITENESS AND IN PRESENTING A PLAN THAT YOU THINK IS REASONABLE AND MY COMPLIMENTS TO YOU.
[03:35:14]
>> [BACKGROUND] THERE ARE SOME, I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, BUT WE DO HAVE A RATHER AGED GROUP UP HERE.
>> [BACKGROUND] SPEAK FOR YOURSELF.
>> WE WILL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND BE BACK IN EXACTLY FIVE MINUTES AT 7:37.
[03:41:44]
>> THANKS FOR SATURDAY, SO LET'S GET GOING.
COUNCIL, I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THIS EARLIER.
BUT MY HEART HAS GREAT SYMPATHY FOR THE TWO YOUNG LADIES SITTING IN FRONT OF US.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN WE PLEASE GO TO ITEM NUMBER I? MADAM ATTORNEY, CAN I DO THAT?
>> AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NO OBJECTIONS.
YOU HAVE JUST ONE ITEM IN BETWEEN.
>> COUNCIL, IF YOU DON'T OBJECT, I'M GOING TO JUMP AHEAD TO I.
>> LET THESE YOUNG LADIES GET THE BEAUTY SLEEP SOMETIME THIS EVENING.
ITEM NUMBER I IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SALT LAND HOLDINGS, LLC.
THIS IS RESOLUTION 2025-11-061, MR. GRUBER. PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST BY WAY OF CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE, A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO, WE TALKED ABOUT AUTHORIZING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATED TO UNDERGROUNDING THE POWER LINES TO THE SALT DEVELOPMENT THAT WERE GOING TO GO ACROSS HIGHWAY 17.
IF YOU'LL RECALL, AT THE TIME, IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT THOSE COSTS TO UNDERGROUND THOSE LINES WOULD BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT $518,000.
THIS BODY AUTHORIZED THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE DEVELOPMENT FEES PAID BY SALT TO REIMBURSE THOSE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES TO HAVE THE LINES UNDERGROUND.
THIS TURNS OUT TO BE ONE OF THE RARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE COST OF SOMETHING IS ACTUALLY COMING IN LESS THAN WHAT IT WAS ANTICIPATED.
THAT MAKES IT, I THINK, A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
THE ACTUAL COST OF UNDERGROUNDING THE POWER LINE HAS COME IN AROUND $291,800.
IN THE MEANTIME OF WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON PREPARING AN AGREEMENT TO REFLECT THAT AUTHORIZATION.
WE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER FUNDING THE CONNECTION OF A WATERLINE BETWEEN THE SALT DEVELOPMENT AND THE GREATER WATERLINE NETWORK THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, THAT RUNS ALONG HIGHWAY 17.
THAT REQUEST IS BEING PRESENTED BOTH TO JASPER COUNTY AND TO THE CITY BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS THAT IT WOULD PROVIDE TO THE OVERALL NETWORK BY CLOSING THE LOOP BETWEEN THOSE TWO SYSTEMS, THEREBY ALLOWING FOR A GREATER INCREASE IN PRESSURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THAT SYSTEM.
IN LOOKING AT WHAT THE COST OF SPLITTING THAT UNDERGROUNDING OF THE WATER LINE WOULD BE, WE COULD PAY THE CITY'S 50% SHARE OUT OF THE MONEY THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR THE ELECTRICAL LINE UNDERGROUNDING AND STILL BE LESS THAN THE OVERALL AMOUNT OF $518,000 THAT YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING IS AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD
[03:45:03]
ALLOW MYSELF TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SALT TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR BOTH THE UNDERGROUNDING OF THE ELECTRICAL LINES AND ONE-HALF OF THE WATER LINE INSTALLATION COSTS WITHIN THE $516,000 OF DEVELOPMENT FEES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.I THINK THAT COVERS EVERYTHING.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT?
>> DO WE HAVE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OR MAKE A COMMENT? SEEING NONE, I WILL GO TO THE COUNCIL.
>> NO, SIR, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WHATEVER I HAD.
I TALKED WHEN I MET WITH JOSH.
HE PRETTY WELL FILLED ME IN ON THAT, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS BESIDES WHAT JOSH JUST SAID AND WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
>> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, SIR.
>> JOSH EXPLAINED IT ALL THE OTHER DAY.
>> IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME AS WELL.
I THINK THIS IS A POSITIVE SAVINGS AND A GOOD SOLUTION.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL NOW GO TO A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO RESOLUTION 2025-11-061.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2025-11-06.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
I CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE. THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF THIS EARLIER, BUT THEN YOU PROBABLY WOULD WANT TO STAY AND SEE ALL THE ENTERTAINMENT ANYWAY.
THANK YOU FOR BEARING WITH US IN A RATHER LONG MEETING, AND GOOD LUCK.
WE'RE GOING TO NOW FLIP BACK ON ORDER.
THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE CITY ENTERED INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO SEEK THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING.
THE CITY RECEIVED A DONATION OF SOME LAND FROM OTHER LAND OWNERS, THAT IT COMBINED WITH LAND THAT IT OWNED.
I BELIEVE IT WAS A FORMER SETTLING POND WHEN THE CITY HAD A WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY.
THOSE PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY ARE GOING TO BE CONVEYED TO THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS GOING TO USE THAT LAND TO HELP FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT.
THIS JUST IS REALLY THE MECHANISM BY WHICH WE GET LEGAL AUTHORITY TO SIGN OVER THE CITY-OWNED LAND.
BUT THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONCEPT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT REMAINS THE SAME AS WHEN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
>> NO STAFF IS LEFT, SO DOES ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? SEEING NONE, LET'S START WITH MR MARSMAN.
>> NO, JOHN, THIS IS THE PROPERTY THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH.
>> WE'RE ASKING, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> MRS GUZMAN. I HAVE NO QUESTIONS, SIR.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.
THERE'S ALSO THE CITY HAS BEEN TRYING TO HELP WITH GETTING LOW-INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR THIS PROJECT.
[03:50:02]
I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION AS I WAS READING THE MATERIALS.I THOUGHT THIS WAS 5 ACRES, BUT I THOUGHT I SAW IN THE DOCUMENTS 11 ACRES.
WHAT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT? DID I READ SOMETHING WRONG?
>> I BELIEVE IT'S 11 ACRES TOTAL.
I'M GUESSING ALL OF THAT IS NOT DEVELOPABLE LAND, BUT IF THEY'RE BRINGING IN THE SETTLING POND AS PART OF THAT COMMUNITY.
>> OKAY. IT'S THE FIVE ACRES OF BUILDABLE, AND THE OTHER SIX IS.
I WAS WONDERING WHERE THE OTHER SIX ACRES WERE.
WE'VE HAD COUNCIL COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
NOW, I WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ORDINANCE 2025-11-06H.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> OKAY. THAT FIRST READING PASSES.
THIS IS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN EXTENDED LEASE AGREEMENT FOR FIRE STATION 82, LOCATED AT 2539 ARGENT BOULEVARD.
THIS IS RESOLUTION 2025-11-06J.
THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF A WORKSHOP THE OTHER DAY. MR. GRUBER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS YOU INDICATED, I'LL TRY TO GO LIGHTNING ROUND ON THESE.
THE CITY IS CURRENTLY LEASING THE EXISTING FIRE STATION 82 PROPERTY, WHERE YOU'RE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOWARDS DEVELOPING A NEW FACILITY THAT THEY CAN BE RELOCATED TO.
WE'VE RUN INTO SOME ISSUES WITH THE COST OF THAT PROJECT, AND SO WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING THROUGH THEM.
WHILE WE WORK THROUGH THEM, WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL TO EXTEND THE EXISTING LEASE AGREEMENT AT LEAST FOR A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, BUT WE HAVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO SEE IF THAT CAN BE AMENDED TO 24 MONTHS.
BUT IT WOULD BE AT LEAST 18 MONTHS FROM JANUARY, SO IT GIVES US ABOUT 20 MONTHS TOTAL TO COMPLETE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALTERNATIVE FACILITY.
>> JUST AS A REMINDER, WHAT WE'RE APPROVING TODAY IS JUST THE EXTENSION OF THE LEASE.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT WHICH, LIKE WE DID AT THE WORKSHOP, ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD BUILD THE SIZE.
IT'S JUST WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO EXTEND THE LEASE.
DOES ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? MR MARSMAN, YOU WANT TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THE EXTENSION TO 24 MAKES SENSE.
>> I HAVE NONE. WE WENT OVER THIS QUITE THOROUGHLY ON MONDAY MORNING.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO RESOLUTION 2025-11-O6J.
>> MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE 2025-11-O6J.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
NEXT, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, CITY COUNCIL TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENT AGREEMENT WITH JASPER COUNTY REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION OF US 278 AND DOLNICK ROAD, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE INTERGOVERNMENT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
THIS IS RESOLUTION 2025-11 O6K.
>> ITEM K DEALS WITH IMPROVEMENTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ARE GOING TO BE MAKING AT EXIT 8 AS PART OF THE I95 WIDENING PROJECT.
HOWEVER, THE IMPROVEMENTS TO 278 ARE ONLY GOING TO GO, I GUESS, EASTBOUND FOR A CERTAIN DISTANCE.
SIMILARLY, THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE IS WORKING ON INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT JOHN SMITH ROAD, AND WILL BE DOING CORRESPONDING IMPROVEMENTS TO 278 AS PART OF THAT PROJECT,
[03:55:04]
AND WE'LL BE MAKING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WEST FROM THAT LOCATION, BUT BOTH PROJECTS STOP SHORT OF CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER.WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION AND IMPROVE THE ENTIRE AREA FROM JOHN SMITH ROAD TO THE EXIT 8 INTERCHANGE, AND WE CONTACTED JASPER COUNTY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO UTILIZE TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX FUNDS TO PAY FOR THAT GAP, GIVEN THAT ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS WAS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE 278 CORRIDOR, WHICH IS THIS WORK THAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO.
AND THAT REQUEST HAS BEEN RECEIVED FAVORABLY, AND SO THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH JASPER COUNTY TO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS TO DO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS AND FILL THAT GAP.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE COMMENTS? LET'S GO TO MR. CARROLL, THEN.
>> AS I WAS READING THIS, JOSH, DOLNICK ROAD IS EXACTLY WHERE.
THAT'S UP BY MCDONALD'S, RIGHT?
>> FURTHER SOUTH. I WAS GOING TO SAY, CARLA'S INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROPOSAL.
>> DOLNICK IS THE LIMITS OF THE WIDENING FOR THE INTERCHANGE.
THE INTERCHANGE COMES BEYOND MCDONALD'S.
THEY'RE RELOCATING HOSPITAL CENTER DRIVE AND IT'LL HEAD EAST, AND THE LIMITS OF THE WIDENING OF 278 WITH RESPECT TO THE INTERCHANGE PROJECT ENDS AROUND DOLNICK DRIVE.
IT IS BETWEEN JOHN SMITH ROAD AND THE INTERCHANGE.
>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT WEST OF THERE.
>> THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX COMMITTEE HEARING AND HOW IT WOULD MAKE SENSE.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE TRANSPORTATION TAX GAVE $65 MILLION TO WIDEN 278, FROM THE COUNTY LINE TO EXIT 8.
GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS OTHER PROJECT AT THAT INTERSECTION, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO DO THAT SECTION FIRST, FROM JOHN SMITH ROAD TO UP TO WHERE DOT'S WORK IS GOING TO GO TO.
>> IT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THAT WORK THAT'S GOING TO GET DONE IN THAT SMALL DANGEROUS CORRIDOR, THAT IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOUSING PROJECT DUMPING INTO THAT AREA UNTIL THAT'S ALL FIXED.
IT'S NOT JUST THE JOHN SMITH ROAD.
IT GOES JOHN SMITH ROAD TO EXIT 8, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAKE THAT INTERSECTION EVEN WORSE.
WHAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME, AND LIKE I SAID, THAT INTERSECTION IS 34% OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON 278.
AS WE ALL KNOW, IT COSTS THE CITY MONEY EVERY TIME THERE'S AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OUR POLICE AND FIRE ARE ALL TIED UP THERE, CLEARING AN ACCIDENT INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING ELSE.
BESIDES THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, IT IS PUBLIC TAXPAYER MONEY, TAKING CARE OF THESE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
I'M GETTING OFF MY SOAPBOX. [LAUGHTER].
HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO RESOLUTION 2025-11-O6K.
>> MR. MAYOR, JUST FOR YOU, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-11-O6K.
[04:00:03]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A COUPLE OF SECONDS.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OF THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> THIS IS ACTUALLY THE LAST ITEM?
>> SO SOON? THE RECEIPT OF A TAX COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS TO APPROPRIATE STATE ACCOMMODATION TAX RECEIPTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 6-4-10 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
>> YES, SIR. THE CITY PERIODICALLY APPROPRIATES ACCOMMODATIONS, TAX DOLLARS, AND, AGAIN, FOR THE PUBLIC'S BENEFIT, ACCOMMODATIONS TAX DOLLARS ARE A TAX THAT IS PAID ON OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS.
HOTELS, MOTELS, RESORTS, AIRBNBS, CAMPERS, ETC.
THAT MONEY IS TO BE USED PRIMARILY FOR TOURISM, MARKETING, AND ADVERTISEMENT PURPOSES AND THE SUPPORT OF SPECIAL EVENTS THAT BRING VISITORS TO THE AREA.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED FOUR APPLICATIONS.
THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU CONSIDER THREE OF THOSE FOUR.
THE FOURTH ONE IS INCLUDED IN YOUR MATERIALS.
HOWEVER, WE'VE NOT HIGHLIGHTED IT HERE, JUST BECAUSE THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMITTEE WAS NOT TO CONSIDER IT.
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT APPLICATION OR ANY OF THE THREE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED HERE, MS. JORDAN HAS BEEN HANGING WITH US PATIENTLY, AND I'M SURE SHE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> HOW ABOUT THE PUBLIC? ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, MR. MEERSMAN. HOW ABOUT YOU?
>> ALL THREE OF THESE ARE TERRIFIC.
THAT'S MY ONLY COMMENT, AND I WILL GO ON TO ASKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THESE A TAX RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> MAKE A MOTION, WE APPROVE THE A TAX RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.
WE HAVE NO MATTERS ARISING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. GRUBER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT THIS EVENING.
>> A BIG SIGH OF RELIEF JUST CAME THROUGHOUT THE ROOM.
LET'S GO REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND GO WITH MR. WHITE.
THE THINGS THAT I ATTENDED WAS ALCOCK.
WENT TO OUR WORKSHOP HERE, AND I'VE BEEN TO THE JASPER COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS TWICE, AND FOUND THEM VERY HELPFUL.
>> FIRST OFF IS, I'D LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO MR. CARROLL, AND THE FOLKS ON PINE ARBOR ROAD.
I DID NOT MEAN THAT I WANTED TO SEND ALL THAT TRAFFIC.
>> I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A POINT OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE ALL SHARE.
>> THAT INTERSECTION, WE HAD THE TRUNK RETREAT A WEEK AGO.
FANTASTIC EVENT, MORE KIDS THAN I'VE EVER SEEN.
>> THE MAYOR WAS DRESSED AS THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP AND EVEN GOT PUT IN THE CALDRON WITH THE WITCHES.
>> WE HAVE A BUSY DECEMBER COMING UP.
WE HAVE THE PARADE AND THE FESTIVAL.
EVERYTHING IS HOPPING IN DECEMBER. IT'LL BE VERY GOOD.
TUESDAY, I INVITE THE COUNCIL TO COME TO LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT 9:30 FOR OUR VETERANS DAY PROGRAM THAT THEY HAVE.
SATURDAY MORNING, I AM JOINING SOME OF THE OTHER HLM VETERANS, AND WE'RE GOING OUT TO PLACE FLAGS ON ALL THE VETERANS' GRAVES THAT WE CURRENTLY CAN FIND.
>> ALL THE CEMETERIES. THEY'RE DIVIDING THEM UP, JOHN.
I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW MANY, BUT I KNOW RIGHT NOW THERE'S ABOUT 15 VOLUNTEERS ALREADY TO DO THAT.
>> WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. MAYOR.
>> JUST ONE THING, AND THAT'S ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.
[04:05:02]
ACCORDING TO MR. TYLER MANION FROM WTOC, WE SMASHED THE GOAL THAT WAS SET FOR THIS REGION.I BELIEVE IT WAS 110,000, MR. MAYOR.
>> NO. I THINK THE GOAL WAS 110.
BUT WE RAISED THAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY'RE STILL TAKING DONATIONS TILL THE END OF YEAR.
>> THEY ARE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.
HILTON HEAD LAKES PUT A TEAM TOGETHER, AND WE RAISED ALMOST $4,000.
THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TAKEN PART IN THIS WALK, AND IT WAS VERY ENJOYABLE, A GREAT DAY FOR A GREAT CAUSE. THAT'S IT.
>> MR. CARROLL. NOBODY'S TIRED AND WHATEVER.
I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY IN MY LIFE. IT JUST A LINE KEPT.
COG, I HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE MULTIPLE TIMES TRYING TO FIND A NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE COG, AND HOPEFULLY WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO MAKING A DECISION.
>> I'M GOING TO CONDENSE MY COMMENTS BECAUSE OF THE TIME.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY BACK IN MAY, I INVITED PEOPLE TO ATTEND A LUNCHEON ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.
FROM THAT LUNCHEON, I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT TEAM STARSHIP HARDEEVILLE RAISED $4,000.
HILTON HEAD LAKES WAS ALMOST $4,000.
MARGARITAVILLE, THERE WAS A TEAM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID, BUT THEY WERE OVER $11,000.
MAYOR SOCA REMINDED ME I LOST THE BET, AND THEY WERE OVER $6,000.
>> YEAH, I OWE HER LUNCH, AND I'M HAPPY TO HAVE IT.
>> THE AMOUNT OF DONATIONS THAT RESULTED FROM THAT LUNCH WERE TREMENDOUS FROM HARDEEVILLE AND BLUFFTON, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THAT A GREAT WALK.
I DO WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS.
ROYAL LIVE OAKS ACADEMY HAD A UNITY PARADE ON OCTOBER 22.
JUST THAT SCHOOL DOES A LOT OF GOOD THINGS, AND IT WAS A GREAT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL PARADED, AND THEY HAD TO SHOW UNITY.
I DO HAVE TO SAY JUST ONE THING BECAUSE I FORGOT TO DO IT LAST TIME.
ON OCTOBER 10TH, I HAD LUNCHBLUNCH WITH STEPHAN HOYER OF HIC AND JEFF KOGAN OF PRESERVE COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS EAST ARGENT, AS YOU KNOW.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT LUNCH WAS THEY WERE ASKING ME ABOUT JCF.
THAT'S THE DEVELOPMENT ON SHORTCUT ROAD AND ARGENT BOULEVARD.
IF YOU RECALL, WE APPROVED THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
THAT PROJECT, A LOT OF CLEARING WAS DONE AND SAT DORMANT.
THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GET INVOLVED WITH THAT.
I SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON WITH ARGENT BOULEVARD.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE WIDEN, WHAT'S NOT.
WE GOT THAT LIGHT GOING ON THERE.
I SAID, GUYS, YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
IF I WERE YOU, I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO FROM THAT.
BUT I DID WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY OPINION IS, HEY, IF THAT SITS DORMANT, THAT'S THE BANK'S PROBLEM, NOT.
JUST LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.
I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARDEEVILLE.
THAT I MEANT TO TELL YOU REPORT THAT LAST MEETING, AND SO THAT'S THE END OF MY COMMENTS.
I WILL SEND A REPORT TO YOU ALL FROM THE LUFTON'S STRATEGIC PLAN THAT I WAS INVITED TO ATTEND.
I ATTENDED THE MORNING SESSION.
I'LL SEND A REPORT TO EVERYBODY ON THAT.
[04:10:03]
ANYBODY WANT TO GO HOME?>> WOW. THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO ASK THAT TWICE. WE HAVE A MOTION.
WE HAVE A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR.
. >> AYE. GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.