Exciting Developments in Clinton: Council Moves Forward with Land Sale and Fireworks Ordinance Discussion
Hello, Clinton residents! It’s a day of potential change and development as our Laurens County Council is making strides toward a land sale at one of the key entrances into our city, as well as revisiting the topic of fireworks regulation in our community.
Land Sale on the Horizon
During their recent meeting on September 9, the Council made significant progress on a plan to sell 24.07 acres of land near Sterilite to a company called Project Act III for $120,000. This piece of land is positioned at the Gary Street and Charlottes Road intersection, which is known to be a critical gateway into Clinton. Council Member Diane Anderson did not participate in the vote, citing that the name of the buyer hadn’t been disclosed. This practice is pretty standard when it comes to industrial prospects, often done to maintain a competitive edge.
While Council Chairman Brown Patterson noted that this isn’t an industrial project, as it hasn’t applied for a fee in lieu of taxes, he assured everyone that the plan includes streetscaping and buffer zones to keep the area tidy. “I want it to be clean,” said Anderson, emphasizing that it’s important we maintain a welcoming entrance into our community.
Fireworks Ordinance on the Table Again
In another interesting discussion, the council revived the idea of implementing an ordinance regarding fireworks usage in residential areas. This topic has been a hot-button issue—especially for our neighbors in Northern Laurens County, where fireworks have reportedly spooked horses and harmed livestock. During the previous council meeting, a fireworks ordinance was voted down on the first reading, primarily due to concerns about property rights and existing noise ordinances that could address the issue.
Council Member Kemp Younts, who voted against the initial proposal, now has the ability to reconsider it under parliamentary rules. There seems to be a common concern among council members regarding safety and the disturbances caused by fireworks. Council Vice-Chairman Jeff Carroll mentioned, “The last fireworks ordinance was not ready for primetime,” highlighting the need for more discussion and potential negotiation.
Council Chairman Patterson also expressed that he would welcome the Sheriff’s Office’s input on the feasibility of enforcing a potential fireworks ordinance, highlighting everyone’s commitment to ensuring safety within our community.
Upcoming Meetings and Community Grants
Mark your calendars! The next regular council meeting is set for October 14. But don’t wait that long, because there’s a special meeting scheduled for September 23 to discuss awarding local community grants. This year, the county received 26 applications for a whopping $1.4 Million in community funding! The requests span from $2,500 all the way up to $800,000. Council members have been provided with booklets detailing the applications for their review.
More Updates from the Council
In addition to the land sale and fireworks debate, the council also touched on several other topics. They considered a new community service-recognition award as an alternative to the prestigious Henry Laurens Award and completed the third reading of a new Comprehensive Plan. A public hearing was held regarding the former Watts Mill land, aiming to transform it into a $50 Million residential development—an exciting development for Clinton!
Additionally, improvements to Happy Valley Road and Durbin Road were authorized to better manage the increased traffic anticipated from the new Durbin Meadows subdivision. Plus, a request from the Town of Gray Court was accepted to stop the county’s provision of inspections and permits, allowing them to handle these processes themselves.
As you can see, there’s a lot going on in our lovely Clinton, and these developments directly impact how our community will grow and thrive. Stay tuned for more updates from the council, and don’t forget to express your thoughts and concerns as we navigate these changes together!
