Progress Should Not Override Citizen Consensus in Anderson County

By Chris Sullivan, Anderson County Council Member, District 1

Anderson County is in the midst of one of the most significant growth spurts in our history. In 2010, the Census counted 187,126 residents. By 2020, we had grown to 203,718—and now, just five years later, estimates put us close to 220,000. Growth is inevitable and welcome, but how we manage it will define the kind of community we become.

As your elected representative for District 1, I believe our top priority must be ensuring that growth serves the people who already live here. We have to strike a balance between development in our nine municipalities and the vast unincorporated areas that make up the rest of the county. That means investing in infrastructure, preserving green spaces, and planning carefully—not reacting hastily.

At a County Council meeting back in February, a citizen made a pointed remark referring to the county trying to develop better plans for our growth: “We shouldn’t call it the Planning Commission—we should call it the Reacting Commission.” It was said half-jokingly, but it stung for a reason. Too often, we’re stuck trying to manage consequences instead of shaping outcomes.

That brings me to a pressing issue that directly impacts residents in my district: annexation along the East-West Parkway.

In District 1, more than 1,000 acres have been annexed into the City of Anderson over the past five years. South Carolina’s Constitution allows this whenever a property borders a municipality and the owner consents. The county has no power to stop it. This has become a statewide issue— cities and counties are often at odds over how annexation can reshape land use with the stroke of a pen.

Let’s talk about the East-West Parkway, or as many of us know it, The Connector. This beautifully planned road connects Clemson Boulevard (Highway 76) to S.C. 81 North, giving residents a direct route between two major arteries while preserving the charm of nearby neighborhoods. It wasn’t an easy sell—many homeowners were initially opposed. But after countless community meetings, including many led by my predecessor Frances Crowder, consensus was reached. The project included an Overlay District to protect the area from high-density development and commercial creep.

The results speak for themselves. The Connector has become a beloved green corridor. I drive it nearly every day and always see people walking, running, and biking along the trail. It’s an example of what can happen when residents have a say in how their community grows.

Now, however, things are changing. With the City of Anderson’s boundaries touching parts of The Connector, developers are exploring annexation to bring county-zoned agricultural land into the city for rezoning. Their goal? Turn quiet, protected parcels into high-value commercial or high-density residential properties.

Let’s be clear: The City isn’t breaking the law. They’re well within their rights. But legality doesn’t always equal smart planning. This kind of piecemeal annexation undermines long-term county plans and leaves residents out of the loop.

We’ve already seen the fallout. Behind T.L. Hanna High School, high-density annexation and rapid grading have led to stormwater runoff and traffic issues the roads weren’t built to handle. A peaceful area enjoyed for generations has become a source of frustration.

Meanwhile, the City of Anderson has launched a 20-year growth plan, hiring consultants and hosting meetings. But for the 190,000 people who live outside the city limits, our voices are largely absent from those discussions. City meetings rarely draw more than a handful of attendees, and when announcements coincide with County Council sessions—as they often do— residents miss out. Most find out about changes from news articles or Facebook posts after the fact.

It’s no surprise that state leaders are starting to look into the annexation process. It’s confusing for residents and can result in major shifts in land use without true community input.

Anderson County is growing—and that’s a good thing. But we owe it to our residents to grow with purpose. Let’s not let convenience override consensus. Let’s plan for a future where progress doesn’t come at the expense of the people who already call Anderson home.