On Wednesday 21, April 2010, the Newberry County Council will have the third and final reading of MA-02-16-10, rezoning 12.13 acres of low density residential land to light industrial. As a former planning commissioner for Newberry County, I have been assisting the residents of this area in petitioning local government. We have cited the South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 and The Newberry County Comprehensive Plan to appeal to the council not to destroy a low density residential greenway with a manufacturing company. The company uses about 450 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia (82-0-0 Refrigerant Grade) in the final phase constructing their mobile crop freezer, with a rough estimate of storing around 6,000 lbs. on site. We are concerned at the amount of anhydrous ammonia that will be in close proximity to young families and elderly residents; not to mention the toxic effects to aquatic life, farm animals and humans in the event of a release in this area. The property borders 970 acres of the Franklin D. Beattie Land Trust parcel and the 12.13 acres has the beginning two branches that form Cannon’s Creek, which continues into the Parr Reservoir.

Although our petitioning and public addresses at the second reading must have been somewhat successful due to the fact that Newberry County Council had an illegal quorum on Monday, April 12, 2010, with five councilmen present during an emergency meeting concerning the comprehensive plan with the county and zoning administrators. Our battle to stop five men from destroying a greenway as described in the future land use of the Newberry County Comprehensive Plan for apparently “the sake that they can” is nearing a close. Newberry County has two industrial parks five miles above and below this property. Each park features easy access to Interstate 26, and could house this manufacturing plant. The county also has other industrial properties listed with the economic developer that could serve this business well. The property was sold through a private sale, and the purchasing company which has operations in California and Mexico, secured low-density residential land in their business in 2006. Our zoning ordinances have been in effect since 2001, no one can claim foul over the zoning district at purchase.

The initial principles of planning as protected by 6-29-310 through 6-29-1200 of the South Carolina Code of Laws have been disregarded in these proceedings. I am asking anyone who is appalled at ‘good ole boy government’ to come and listen to the proceedings on Wednesday evening at the Newberry County Council Chambers located at 1309 College St. in Newberry. The meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m. There will be no need to introduce your self, I just would like you to listen to the reasoning behind the council and its disregard to South Carolina Code of Law.



Sincerely,

Steven E. McKean

Newberry