Forest Acres City Council meets August 14, 2007
By John Dixon Cub@TheColumbiaStar.com

Charles Fetner open-ed the August 14, 2007 meeting with invocation, and the pledge was led by Hugh Garly Troop 10 Eastminster Presbyterian. Att-orney Holloway, Councilwoman Ginger Dukes, Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Rye, Mayor Brunson, Councilman Fetner, Councilman Shell Suber, and City Manager Mark Williams were all present.

Public Hearing

Attorney Lee Holloway began proceedings with a public hearing to receive public input on a request to change zoning on properties located at 3869, 3867, and 3731 Forest Drive located at the corner of Dalloz and Forest Drive.

There has been a request to change the properties from R- 1 residential to C- 1 commercial because Southern Bank and Trust wishes to build a new bank on the site.

Local businessman Doug Neal outlined the proposal on behalf of the bank and then the floor was opened to questions from the public. Neighbors wanted to know what other buildings would be put on other portions of the lot, where ingress and egress would be situated, and whether the historical values of the structures on the properties had been considered.

They also wanted to know if a traffic study could be requested and what would become of the old growth trees and bushes on the property.

LaGrande Cooper, Barbara Horn, and Henry Richardson spoke in favor of the project. Dan Ramage, Elaine Cooper, Jean Davis, Mary- Pat Baldoff, and Brenda Ramage spoke in opposition. Laura Nottingham who resides on the property spoke passionately of her love for her haven in the midst of the city and expressed concerns about loss of trees and wildlife habitat. Barbara Jeffcoat received a hearty round of applause when she challenged Council to "Keep the Forest in Forest Acres".

Henry Richardson spoke on behalf of his family who owns the property stating the family wished the property to be used for a neighborhood commercial venture such as the bank branch as a means of maintaining quality of life for the neighborhood. At 6:30 pm Holloway thanked the public for their input on this hotly contested issue and called the hearing to a close.

Call to Order

Mayor Brunson called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Council's first order of business was to defer consideration of appointments to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals pending clarification of terms.

Approval of Minutes

Council unanimously approved the minutes from the July 10, 2007 Council Meeting without changes.

Mayor's Issues

• Jordan Anderson summarized his racing season and thanked Council for their support. Anderson recently won the Summer Shootout for legend cars and is currently in the points lead for the championship.

Anderson has distributed over one thousand signature cards sporting the Forest Acres logo and been the subject of several TV and newspaper interviews in the past several months.

Anderson brought his trophies and thanked council for their support. He also took time to thank Mayor Brunson who recently signed his car.

• City Administrator Mark Williams is currently working with the graphic design group to set specifications in order to solicit bids. Williams stated that they are investigating the possibility of smaller signs for use in neighborhoods.

• The landscape architects working on Quinine Hill Park expect to have plans ready forbid by the end of August. Williams suggested a special meeting for viewing of those plans prior to bid solicitation. Council agreed.

New Business

• Catherine Horne and Margaret Wallace of EdVenture Museum than-ked council for it's support of its Think Tank exhibit, which attracted 60,000 visitors, 51% of whom came from outside the Richland/ Lexington County area.

Horne presented Council with a full sponsorship impact review detailing benefits provided to the benefits for the citizens of Forest Acres and marketing exposure for the city.

• Council deferred action on a request for a street light at 1540 Arlene drive pending input from Chief Gene Sealy who was not in attendance at this meeting.

• Council deferred action on a request for zoning variance for the properties at 3869, 3867, and 3731 Forest Drive from R- 1 residential to C- 1 commercial.

Old Business

• Council unanimously granted Columbia City Ballet's request for $30,000 in Hospitality Tax Funds to support the weekend getaway packages including fine dining and shopping in Forest Acres.

City Administrator's Report

• Mark Williams presented the Appearance Commission's plan for a tree planting program for consideration by Council. Cou-ncil unanimously agreed to submit the plan to Attorney Holloway for legal review and deferred action pending that review.

• Williams expressed concerns that the Sweet Seasons celebration has out grown the City Hall parking lot. Council concurred and granted Williams permission to negotiate with Midtown at Forest Acres for use of the rooftop for Sweet Seasons 2007.

•Council requested that Attorney Holloway investigate the current wording of the city sign ordinance pertaining to the issue.

• Mark Williams has been asked to serve as the Forest Acres representative on the Gills Creek Watershed Committee, which is a private 501 C- 3 organization dedicated to protection and restoration of the Gills Creek Watershed.

• DHEC is currently conducting a groundwater remediation study at the public works facility for resolution of issues related to leakage of an underground storage tank several ago.

• The City Hall parking lot is scheduled for resealing in the vicinity of September 7.

• The Willingham Drive Bridge work is finished and the bridge will be ready for use by the end of school.

Community Forum

Mike McIntosh brought sign suggestions and thermoplastic decorative pavement marking information for Council's consideration.

Council adjourned to executive session to discuss litigation issues. No further actions were taken. Forest Acres City council meets again on Tuesday September 11, 2007.