By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Dozens of concerned residents showed up at the July Woodruff City Council meeting to express their opposition to a future industrial project in the Kilgore area south of town. After several speakers, the council voted in favor of the annexation and industrial zoning of the property.
The concern was over the proposed annexation and industrial zoning of more than 300 acres on Highway 221 near Elijah Simmons and Mary Hanna roads.
Prior to opening the floor to residents during the public hearing regarding the annexation, Mayor Kenneth Gist read a prepared statement, addressing rumors that the site would house a future data center.
“We have heard you loud and clear on the subject of data centers,” Gist said in announcing that an item on the evening’s agenda would prohibit data centers in the city limits. “A data center is not going to happen on this parcel during this administration. We have no interest in doing anything to harm this place we call home.”
While that reassurance may have tempered some comments, 10 people still stepped up to express their opposition to any industrial use in a predominantly rural area. Most expressed concern with the loss of their quiet, rural lifestyle, while others raised concerns regarding an annexation strategy that has been controversial in South Carolina.
“Tonight, you’re making decisions that change the area for generations,” said Tabitha Nelson-Cuyar, who lives near the property in question.
“I moved to the countryside because I love the countryside,” said Connie Ingersoll. “This is (about) our quality of life, and that’s why we’re all here tonight.
To annex the property, the city first annexed a 10-foot strip through an adjacent property to connect the proposed property to the city limits. The strategy, known as shoestring annexation, is commonly used but has been controversial.
“Shoestring annexations are iffy at best and illegal at worst,” said Tom Davies, an area resident who serves on the Spartanburg County Board of Zoning Appeals. He went on to remind the council that individual members could be sued personally for any illegal actions they take in their official capacity.
Bryan Davis, another area resident, called upon the council members to recognize that the thousands of people with a Woodruff address who don’t live in the city limits are part of the community too.
“The council is being asked to make decisions that will impact people who don’t have any say,” he said. “I have no recourse to vote or run against members on this body. Show the communities of Kilgore, Switzer, and Greenpond that you truly have the Woodruff community’s back.”
Some residents even expressed frustration with the transparency of the City of Woodruff, particularly that the city’s comprehensive plan and other documents aren’t readily available on the city’s website.
When City Manager Lee Bailey presented the annexation item to the council, he took some time to address some of the issues expressed.
He expressed his appreciation for the comments and the passion the citizens showed and commended them for doing so in a heartfelt and civil manner.
He went on to explain that being under Spartanburg County purview, the property could be developed into anything as it sits now. Annexing the property into the city puts it under the stricter development rules, providing more control over what gets developed and helping mitigate the impact on neighbors.
He also addressed a flyer that has been circulating that shows multiple industrial buildings on the property, telling the crowd that there is currently no buyer for the property and no proposed development. He said the property has been for sale and marketed by the owner as a future industrial site for 20 years, and the owner feels annexing into the city will improve his chances for a sale.
Assistant City Manager Brandon McMahan said the planning commission voted to recommend approval of the zoning and that city staff feel it’s an appropriate use in the area. In addition to farmland, the area also includes the Palmetto Vermiculite plant and the Triple Tree Aerodrome.
Following the community input and staff presentation, the council voted unanimously to approve the annexation and industrial zoning of the property in question.
In new business, the council unanimously backed the first reading of the ordinance to prohibit data centers and crypto mining businesses as approved uses under the city’s industrial zoning designation.
At the start of the meeting, Rob Wolfe, field service manager for the Upstate territory for the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC), presented the city with a plaque recognizing its admission to the organization’s honor roll.
MASC runs an elected officials institute that teaches the best practices for running a city. The honor roll recognized that every member of a municipal council has graduated from MASC’s program. Wolfe said that Woodruff was one of only eight cities to achieve the honor roll this year.
The Woodruff City Council meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are open to the public, and the next meeting is on August 25.
