By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Crystal Waldrop presents the bids for four different Newberry County Projects.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_DSC_0453.jpgCrystal Waldrop presents the bids for four different Newberry County Projects. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — Second reading of an ordinance that would rezone two acres of land on Macedonia Church Road was rejected by the Newberry County Council.

The parcel of land is next door to the fire station on Macedonia Church Road. The request was to rezone the parcel from Rural (R2) to General Commercial (GC) so the land could be used for a Dollar General.

A public hearing drew comments from eight people, both in favor and against. Those who spoke against the rezoning included Michael Martin, Phil Shealy, Donny Stockman and Alan Stockman.

Martin, who lives across from the fire department, presented a petition containing 65 names of residents who were against the rezoning.

“We do not want an increase of traffic and noise in what we want to keep as a rural community,” Martin said.

Shealy, who lives in Chapin but across from the property owned by the land owner, said he likes the tranquility of where he lives and that a lot of his heritage is in that area. Shealy did not like the possibility of the traffic the Dollar General would draw.

Donny Stockman, who lives on Stockman Road, said he understood why the land owner wanted the rezoning but he was still against it.

“I know Mr. Ellis (land owner) is doing this for his family, but I am doing this for my family. My concern is, as long as Mr. Ellis is alive it will be fine, but when he dies there is nothing stopping that triangle from becoming commercial,” he said. “I do not know what will come.”

Alan Stockman, whose property is directly across from the parcel, said he has lived there for 45 years and his family does not want to see it become commercial. His concern is that if a Dollar General is built in that location, there is nothing stopping other commercial businesses from building there as well.

“Everybody who comes into this community has to pass a Dollar General. There are two within eight miles of this property,” he said.

Those who were for the rezoning included Jim Parr, Tony Cates, Ellis Martin and David Sharpe. Parr, who lives four miles from parcel, was for the rezoning because of what it meant for the community.

“The Dollar General would provide an increase in the tax base and help the community,” he said. “I am also not saying this would not increase traffic, but it would not be a destination for everybody, but for the people in the area. I feel the majority of the community is in favor of the store.”

Cates, who was a representative for the developer and a future resident, said a Dollar General would be a hub for the community.

“This store would serve people four to six miles from the property. There is nothing for seven plus miles to meet,” Cates said. “Macedonia Church Road already sees 2,000 plus people a day because of Dreher Island. There is already traffic.”

Cates also said noise would not be a problem. The business would open at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cates also said he visited 15 homes in the area and only found two people against it.

After the public hearing was closed, Councilman Scott Cain made a motion to pass the second reading and Councilman Travis Reeder seconded the motion.

Councilman Steven Stockman, whose district covers the area, said no one has called him in favor of the rezoning.

“One comment was made that those 65 folks were not here, but in fact they are. I have heard from all 65 of them, and not one is in favor of this,” he said. “I want to make it known that I cannot vote in favor of this and I ask council not to rezone.”

Council voted unanimously not to approve second reading.

In other business, council approved four bids for various projects around the county.

The first project was three new fire substations and the bid approved was from W.E. Baker & Son for the base bid of $899,000 and two additional alternative bids of $127,850 and $12,950.

The base bid was for the construction of fire substations on Leitzsey Road, Indian Creek and Belfast Road. This would include the bay areas for the truck storage and non-bay areas unfinished with a concrete floor, heat, lights and insulated exterior walls.

Bid alternative one would fully up-fit the non-bay area for the Indian Creek station to include a day room, two offices, storage area, two bunk rooms, two full bathrooms and a kitchen. Bid alternative two would replace some portion of the asphalt-paved area with concrete paving.

The second project was for an asphalt patcher. The bid approved was from Duraco Inc. for $60,165. The Public Works Department does not have an asphalt patcher but uses “cold” patching for smaller areas and “hot mix” asphalt for larger areas.

The next project was resurfacing on Peninsula Drive, which would address problem areas with reclamation and full-depth patching. All of Peninsula Drive and the nearby cul-de-sac roads would receive a new asphalt overlay. The county received two bids, the first from Satterfield Construction for $364,435 and the second from Sloan Construction for $480,321.20.

Council approved the bid from Satterfield.

In other business:

• Council passed a resolution designating Aug. 23 as Deborah Smith Appreciation Day.

• Council passed resolution for a memorandum of understanding between the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfield County. The Detention Center is not certified by the S.C. Department of Corrections to accept 17 year old detainees. The agreement provides that Fairfield County will accept the detainees.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.