Council Tightens Traffic Standards, Gives Final Ok to Comprehensive Plan

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

After pulling a pair of items from the agenda, Anderson County Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance tightening traffic standards for new development, adding specific road capacity and level-of-service requirements to the county code.

The measure amends the Anderson County Code of Ordinances to spell out intensity standards and traffic impact analysis requirements for certain projects. The changes are intended to address design capacity on county roads and to clarify when a traffic impact study must be completed as a condition of development approval.

While all other parts of the county code not directly revised remain in effect, any prior county actions or ordinances that conflict with the new provisions are repealed to the extent of that conflict.

The ordinance includes a standard severability clause, stating that if any portion is found unconstitutional or unenforceable by a court, the remaining sections will still stand. The new rules take effect immediately.

Council also gave final approval to a 10-Year Anderson County Comprehensive Plan, which outlines goals and strategies for addressing growth and other challenges in the decade ahead.

“This is the most complete plan we’ve ever had,” said Councilwoman Cindy Wilson. “Most of the plans in the past were inventories and did not reflect what the people wanted.”

Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders said the “in-depth plan” was a positive step for the county.

“It’s direct and to the point and not a lot of fluff,” said County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn, who also joined other council members in praising the work of county employees who were involved in the creation of the document. 

South Carolina requires counties to submit such plans once per decade.