IMPORTANT - COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REVISED LAND MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TUESDAY NIGHT

Aiken County's Land Management Ordinance ("LMO") is similar in nature to the City's Zoning Ordinance. It defines the different zoning districts and what is permitted in each. It also defines all the administrative procedures concerning zoning and zoning changes.

Aiken County's existing zoning categories are rudimentary and were enacted several years ago as a first step and with significant controversy. This proposed revision had been anticipated at that time and has been designed as a compatible follow-on. The draft for the current revision of this revision was presented to the County Council and Planning Commission in the spring of 2004. The next step was to be a review by the County Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the review took over two years, and the Planning Commission's revised draft was presented to County Council just this fall.

Because so much of Aiken's new development is taking place just outside city limits, the County's LMO is one of the most significant factors in defining this growth. Most high density development cannot take place without water and sewer. Thus in the Aiken area, it has been attractive to develop land with city water and sewer (from either Aiken or New Ellenton), but with few land use restrictions - i.e. existing, lenient county zoning. Also, the newly approved County authority to provide water and sewer means that land use planning will be increasingly important in outlying areas.

The LMO squeaked through its first reading on a 5-4 vote, with Council persons Rawls, Barton, McKenzie and Bunker opposed. One of the arguments is that the ordinance provides guidelines too strict for rural and undeveloped areas, and that such areas should not be governed in the same manner as is appropriate closer to Aiken or North Augusta. However, the proposed LNMO leaves room that these areas could be zoned differently.

Apparently, there is significant opposition to the revised LMO. It will be important to have as many supporters at the County Council meeting, which will be held Tuesday, November 28 at 7:00 in the Council Chambers at 736 Richland Ave. East. Please try to attend to show your support.