North Augusta municipal building

The North Augusta Municipal Building is pictured.

North Augusta City Council will be voting Monday whether or not to create a committee that would evaluate options for John C. Calhoun Park, where the Meriwether monument that has been the topic of an ad hoc committee and public outcry is located. Council will also vote on a resolution regarding text amendments to the North Augusta Development Code.

In a Nov. 2018 meeting, North Augusta Mayor Bob Pettit presented findings of an ad hoc committee he formed regarding the 21-foot tall monument to Thomas McKie Meriwether, the only white man – of eight – who died during the Hamburg Massacre, which includes an inscription the mayor said then is "clearly, in my opinion, promoting white supremacy."

Meriwether Monument

The Meriwether monument is located in downtown North Augusta in front of Lookaway Hall. 

During that meeting, Pettit presented a recommendation that an educational experience be added to the park but that the monument not be altered in any way.

On Monday, Council will vote on a resolution concluding that the monument not be altered, that the monument includes text offensive and inconsistent with beliefs of present day North Augustans, and that an educational area be created "as a counterpoint to the viewpoint expressed by the text on the monument." The proposed resolution lays out what would be included in the educational display, including a summary of the Hamburg Massacre, the names of the African-American men who were killed and a discussion of accomplishments of African-American citizens.

The resolution would also form a committee to develop a plan for the items in the resolution, which would be presented to City Council for approval and implementation.

Committee members would be Pettit, Council member Pat Carpenter, Council member David McGhee, Charles Allen, Milledge Murray, Trina Mackie, John Felak, Mark Newell, Tony Carr and ex-officio member Mandy Nelson.

The other item City Council will vote on is a resolution that would direct the City Administrator to file an application with the Department of Planning and Development requesting text amendments to the city's Development Code regarding the Public Use zoning.

"The Mayor and City Council have determined that some changes to the existing Development Code are appropriate and in the best interest of the City and that changes to the Development Code should be pursued," the proposed resolution reads.

The first change included in the application would be to section 3.6.4.5.2, and would not require uses within the Public Use zoning to be subject to the standards of section 3.5 or 3.8.

Currently, the Code outlines that Public Use is not subject to 3.5 but that standards of 3.8 apply. Section 3.8 defines the uses allowed in Corridor Overlay Districts.

The second change in the application would be to section 3.8.1.1, which, if the change is passed, would be amended to read "This section applies to any lot or parcel within the following Corridor Overlay Districts that are designated on the Official Zoning Map, with the exception of those lots or parcels zoned P."

Before the meeting, Council will hold a study session to discuss the two items to be voted on, as well as hold an executive session for discussions "related to Riverview Park land" and "related to land for provision of water services and treatment."

North Augusta City Council will meet at 6 p.m. for the study session and 7 p.m. for the meeting. Both meetings will take place on the third floor of the municipal building at 100 Georgia Avenue. 


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