City Moves Forward with Annexation, Apartments on East-West Parkway

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson City Council approved the proposed annexation and development of a 22-acre tract on the East-West Parkway on Monday. By a vote of 7-1, council moved to allow a planned development of five of the 22 acres located near Kings Road.

The plan is to build up to 80 apartment units for low-income senior citizens on the five acres. Prestwick Companies, who developed the Ashton Pointe Apartments in Anderson off Salem Church Road in Anderson, is the developer on the project. The proposal includes a sidewalk and/or pedestrian trail connecting the apartments to the parkway. The five acres backs up to Hartwell Lake, and Anderson City Administrator David McCuen on Monday said potential conversations with the United States Corps of Engineers could lead to use of the lakefront as a wildlife/bird area or even an eventual kayak launch. None of these potential future plans are formally in the works.   

A second-reading vote, scheduled for the May 12 city council meeting, is required before work on the project can begin.

Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton, who represents the district which includes the parkway, voted against the measure (Councilman Luis Martinez left the meeting early and did not vote on the proposal).

‘At the end of the day, this did not check all the boxes,” said Newton. “It fell a little short.”

Newton said he is concerned about development on the parkway, particularly the area at the intersection of Concord Road.

“I have been vocal about this for years,” said Newton. “The Concord Road area is the backbone of the area I serve, and I am anxious about potential development there. I want to make sure nothing is allowed that is not right for the area.”

Newton added he has spoken to many residents in the area and plans to continue dialog on any future planned projects.