EDITORIAL: Slowdown on overlay plan is welcomed

City planners were wise in deciding to slow down the process of creating a highway overlay district for entrances into Aiken.

The Aiken Planning Commission had been scheduled to discuss the proposed district at its Feb. 9 meeting, but after public concern over the details of the overlay district were vocalized, planners decided to reconsider the measure.

Few will argue that the entrance ways into Aiken should look nice, clean and well kept. That enhances the overall community and the feel for a city which is loved by its residents. Making demands about exactly how properties should look and mandating an Aiken look to these entrances - even for property that is not within the Aiken city limits - is onerous.

That the Planning Commission is agreeing to step back and take a new look at the proposals for the overlay district with property owners, business owners and others who would be affected by new rules is commendable. When people believe that government rules and regulations are being ramrodded down their throats, distrust for government becomes pervasive.

Open government with full debate and input from all parts of the community will keep the city strong, vibrant and thriving.