Council Oks RV Park Ordinance, Historic Courthouse Repairs
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County gave final approval to RV park regulations on Tuesday, though the ordinance might still be refined in the months to come.
Council maintains the legislation, which is a new ordinance, aims to make sure the parks are properly located, designed and maintained, was amended to also ensure any structures in the parks are compliant with county building codes.
“We are not going to outlaw the RV businesses in Anderson County,” said County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “I have studied this, and the main thing is we have nothing (in place) now. We can always go back and tweak it, it is not set in stone, but the county needs something now.”
Dunn also offered to “sit down with anybody and go over” details of the ordinance.
The vote took place after two community members, including Kenneth Jackson, a board member of the Lake Hartwell Association, requested council table the final reading of the ordinance.
Jackson said significant changes to the ordinance were made between the second and third reading and asked for a delay of “a couple of weeks” to review those changes.
“We have had so many citizens express concerns, and we have welcomed their input,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson, adding that citizens had been given opportunities for input since March. “We welcome the input, but this has not been an overnight process.”
“You had input, you might not agree with what we decided, but you had input,” said Dunn in response to requests for a delay.
Council voted unanimously to approve the new ordinance, with Council Dist. 2 Councilman Glenn Davis absent.
Council also approved borrowing against a future bond to begin repair work on the historic courthouse.
“This involves the historic courthouse, where a significant amount of renovation and reconstruction needs to be done,” said Anderson County Attorney Leon Harmon. “We think it (total repairs) will be in the neighborhood of $7 million.” The funds would be reimbursement against the bond prior to the bond being issued. The building, built in 1898 and last updated more than 30 years ago, needs considerable repairs to the tile roof, brick work and the repair of other structural issues.
“This is not adding anything, but maintaining what we have, taking care of this building,” said Dunn.
The initial work is set to begin soon on the roof at a cost of approximately $3 million.
On Tuesday, council also:
Tabled bringing the roads for the Breckinridge subdivision into the county road system after hearing from representatives of more than 15 citizens who live in the neighborhood who expressed concerns about the new construction by Mungo Builders causing problems with their roads and drainage. Mungo has completed seven new homes in the subdivision and has plans to construct five more.
Approved an updated ordinance related to junkyards and open storage, aimed at clarifying the language to make clear the jurisdiction of codes enforcement officers and that the ordinance applies to both businesses and private individual residences.
Approved a bid of $9 million to Don Moorhead Construction for the decommissioning of the Six & Twenty Sewer Station.
Approved a contract of $192,000 to update software for the Anderson County planning, development standards and building and codes departments. Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns said the upgrades would greatly improve the flow of work in the departments. Dunn added that surrounding counties use the software and it will streamline processes and be good for employees.
Councilman Jimmy Davis, Dist. 6, allocated $5,000 for the Powdersville Play youth sports organization. Councilman Greg Elgin, Dist. 3, allocated $500 to Starr Fire Department to reimburse costs of their annual fireworks show.