Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson City Council approved ATAX funds recommendations, annexation of and rezoning 31.5 acres at 216 Vandiver Road for a 62-lot single-family residential subdivision, a new armored vehicle for the police department, two new cleanup vehicles and sent two other annexation/requests to the planning commission on Monday night.
The $284,034 in distributions from the Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Advisory Committee on Monday will benefit organizations active in tourism. (See chart at end of this story for list). ATAX funds are public revenues generated from a mandatory state accommodations tax of two percent statewide charge applied to hotel rooms, motels, campgrounds, and other transient lodging in South Carolina.
Council approved a proposal to annex and rezone 31.5 acres to build a 62-lot single-family residential subdivision on the property which borders Vandiver Road and is just behind T.L. Hanna High School. The new subdivision will be required to abide by restrictions in the city's new Unified Development Ordinance.
Council also sent to the City Planning Commission a plan to annex 61.80 acres on Hembree Road with a proposal to build 212 lots for single-family homes. The city will evaluate the water infrastructure in reviewing the proposal.
Another request to annex 4.96 acres on Salem Church Road will also be sent to the planning commission for a development that includes workforce housing and senior housing. There was some discussion on the potential for traffic issues at this site.
S.C. Rep. Don Chapman, R-Anderson, presented the police department with a check for $332,800 to cover the cost of a new armored SWAT vehicle. The firetruck-like vehicle is armored and bulletproof and will be used not only in Anderson but other areas in emergency situations.
Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart said the SWAT team responds to an average of 24 incidents each year and that the new vehicle will strengthen the department’s ability to safely respond to violent situations while reducing risk to officers and the public. The vehicle will also support rescue operations, crisis negotiations, and emergency medical response.
Council also approved $581,455 for a pair of vehicles for the Public Works Division. One is capable of picking up large trees and tree trunks and the other a leaf vacuum truck.
