More development is on its way to Aiken's Northside.
The Aiken City Council voted 6-0 Monday evening to approve the second and final reading of an ordinance annexing and zoning approximately 72 acres and approving a concept plan for the properties being annexed.
Four properties totaling 72.23 acres will be annexed into the city.
The properties are located between May Royal Drive (near the fairgrounds), Osbon Drive, Crosland Park and Columbia Highway .
Aiken County zoned the properties Rural Development. The city will zone the properties Planned Residential.
The concept plan calls for the construction of 250 single-family homes priced between $280,000 and $290,000.
The subdivision would be called Royal Oaks.
Several residents of May Royal Drive and Osbon Drive have told the city council they oppose the subdivision plan.
The residents have provided several reasons including increased traffic, a lack of available water, a provision in the city's zoning ordinance requiring developments to look like the area around them and that the subdivision could become home to a transient population.
A traffic study submitted by the developer, Midland Valley Development LLC, and approved by the city's traffic consultant Jennifer Bihl, shows May Royal Drive and Osbon Drive to be below capacity.
Several May Royal Drive and Osbon Drive residents have also asked for a traffic signal to be placed at the intersection of May Royal Drive and Columbia Highway. However, this would be up to the South Carolina Department of Transportation and out of the city's control.
Mike Przybylowicz told Aiken City Council on March 25 that the city has plenty of water for new development.
Aiken City Attorney Gary Smith said the zoning provision only applies if the property being zoned is already within the city which is not the case with Royal Oaks.
He said it is ultimately up to city council to determine if a development proposal looks like the area around it.
Councilwoman Gail Diggs said the price point would keep the population of the development more permanent.
Mayor Pro Tempore Ed Girardeau and Councilwoman Lessie Price said the property will eventually be developed and Midland Valley Development has gone above and beyond to satisfy the city council's requests for the project.
The concept plan has been amended several times.
The original concept plan called for the construction of 333 homes. The concept plan was amended to include more buffer space and add five more homes.
The concept plan was amended again before Feb. 26 to include 313 homes.
The latest concept plan calls for a 75-foot buffer to existing homes on May Royal Drive and Osbon Drive.
Diggs said Chad Gibson of Midland Valley Development plans to live within the subdivision which provides an additional incentive for making the development nice.
Girardeau made the motion to approve the ordinance. Diggs seconded his motion.
Councilwoman Andrea Gregory did not attend the meeting.
Other planned developments on the city's Northside include an apartment complex along Sundy Avenue, a 330-unit townhome community along Rutland Drive and another subdivision along Columbia Highway.
City council also approved the second and final readings of ordinances:
• rezoning a property near the intersection of Gregg Highway and Lockey Drive and approving a concept plan calling for an apartment complex to be constructed on the property; and
• annexing and zoning single-family homes located at 115 Vivion Drive and 107 Marvin Drive.
The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the city's budget to include $2.4 million the city received from Aiken County when it purchased the former Municipal Building.
The council approved requests and proclamations:
• designating April 27 as Aiken Pickleball Day;
• designating April as Fair Housing Month;
• approving an Independence Day fireworks display at the Reserve at Woodside;
• approving the use of Park Avenue for a food and culture event; and
• accepting a deed of dedication for water and sewer lines in a section of Chukker Creek.
The council approved the reappointments of Bonita Peele to the Senior Commission and Angela Key to the Accommodations Tax Committee and the appointment of Georgianna Conger to the Equine Committee.
