[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6298213,"mediaKeyId","2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5","parentId",2505160,"title","Council approves engineering fee housekeeping, parade-permit transfer and subdivision dedication; roundup of votes","audioSeconds",836,"startMs",2800000,"endMs",3636000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5&start=2800&end=3636","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298213/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-engineering-fee-housekeeping-parade-permit-transfer-and-subdivision-dedication-roundup-of-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298213-ba09c66bd74e94ceb2cb9067767bcd7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=SIved9d3pTB8J61kBwO-JfZUFmTFPXrhOGMTj7UKa7F0v0alcnRXduhbd6hrtu~82KcidiePlPBwUYoyIZIB5q-JabKRoT1F1XaQ~rYHs~FRDshQj892eR3iyZ3UkGCu7O6yyoVZeOUnxgwHUR8dk77qvOh7AwUT3wUt-IZKvEsYzKTjumTA-xltheKVbFu6Loig25OSRiJbZzaQUsJ6zwM83u5YBWYpAMJCWtGKY3BZlYjHo39GZmaSeuHmg4hqEdr3nDU8w5XGusHngxONcXyUDP-mktTAzhmtqa7VgUGATtlv2RaGL7CEO3OblABNXUIrlbbpHZSxPop4P9ermA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-04T12:07:14Z","article","City Council voted unanimously on several noncontroversial measures on first reading or by resolution.

- Engineering fee ordinance: Council approved Ordinance 2025-56 (first reading), an amendment to the city code to align the construction permit fee schedule with the fee changes adopted in the FY2025 budget. City staff described the item as a housekeeping measure to reconcile the code with the budget.

- Parade and demonstration permits: Council approved Ordinance 2025-o9 on first reading to transfer authority for issuing permits related to demonstrations and parades from the council to the city administrator or assistant city administrator. Staff said the change will streamline approvals for recurring events such as the Lions Club Christmas parade.

- Rushing Waters Phase 2 dedication: Council accepted the deed dedication for streets, sanitary sewer, stormwater collection, fire suppression systems and associated easements for Rushing Waters Phase 2, along with the maintenance guarantee and letter of credit. Staff said the infrastructure was inspected and met city standards.

Each item passed unanimously; the engineering ordinance and parade-permit change were described as housekeeping actions, while the Rushing Waters action was a routine acceptance of constructed infrastructure into city maintenance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of North Augusta Power Hour & Council Meeting 03/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the March City Council meeting, members unanimously approved an ordinance aligning construction permit fees with the adopted budget, transferred parade-permit authority to administration, and accepted infrastructure dedications for Rushing Waters Phase 2.","taxTitle","North Augusta, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",56877,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6298218,"City updates storm-recovery work: stump removal progress, debris volumes and limited yard-waste pickups",336,3753000,4089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5&start=3753&end=4089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","/articles/6298218/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/City-updates-storm-recovery-work-stump-removal-progress-debris-volumes-and-limited-yard-waste-pickups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298218-f4f075491d13354407654c01a59a7264/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=O3cSDnwsJf5wNulw6aGjVISMJafRkyWwe~6zLwQ8-k-ckqR7He~HTl0XLiYV7tTm3cMkOIeaPIMtyWqMct75WO0gLUIUj9wsU1HfKrCDtqYjTLnDEPs1lcFyXgIw8r-qWVcsPHOR5AQLnjROLjuwm-haF7OAISMV9mFhu0ASx8dwqp1286ee22zrKebkRFzunj5yoZNv0X8UUeT4sWQAv2gGcelL1YD7hwnc9xGvWukw2wJYALI5kIJI~7u4aSsCwBhYSL8T0eRWCkQrRcpPLwDIhQY3sSYtkklwTH2fiaN3R0XwkmCuZXYm95J260YGqUTJuhhsTqUg7zd8KUvq6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff provided an update on storm recovery and debris removal, reporting progress on stump removal, consolidation of debris collection sites and a temporary return to \"limited yard waste\" pickup operations.

Staff said the city had identified 46 stumps (up from an earlier figure of 40), with 34 removed and eight remaining (five attached and three unattached). Contractors had removed six stumps in the past week and were working on the remaining unattached stumps.

On debris, staff reported city-maintained roads had nearly reached 100,000 cubic yards of debris removed (the figure cited during the meeting rose from about 94,843 to 98,541 during the week). The city is consolidating four local collection sites into two contractor sites at East Buena Vista and the Country Club property on Gregory Loop Road.

To manage collection while contractor work continues, staff announced limited yard waste pickup: city crews will collect yard-waste carts and up to four bags of yard waste per week per household; loose yard waste will not be picked up. Staff said the city plans to return to full yard-waste service after the Masters tournament. Several councilmembers asked about parking and site impacts at the soccer complex where one consolidation site remains in use.","City staff reported progress removing stumps and consolidating debris sites following recent storms, and announced limited yard-waste pickup (up to four bags per household) while contractor consolidation continues.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6298223,"Council imposes temporary moratorium on standalone multifamily approvals; staff says existing projects unaffected",98,2700000,2798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5&start=2700&end=2798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5/thumbnail_2700000.jpg","/articles/6298223/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-imposes-temporary-moratorium-on-standalone-multifamily-approvals-staff-says-existing-projects-unaffected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298223-34e4c0e98934a7aca91bf29035fa33f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=dmEIn846IDAS2XcC-XJtoZiz~K-wqWqrwF~EKcpsFcWby8IhcKSl0h-2GofQJ7CNqxGp9Cv0hqLvuV~0mr5Jd0vI81goux1Hgbpcy4r0ZrISYnqTxy8f8KSCMbK1Vd-ALO6a3Pn7zbMu~Cv~SaE4C2VZFII-XB38tGV0yZ~s8bgI4Yw~mzJK1SfMwpf1RAE0SLMiZogc0qXmOGXkXRdZUN9hwcK08UibQhnUyhmWeMaNsN3zrL0lpMVVcFKJXCiHeq-pXNcRzC81Zti6LTx3mH-M~zhlQB2ALVokjT16759wUhy2RcNvn8-1kMWJwJ0lWsipnh52U~fAaxcUAqQwGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Augusta City Council voted unanimously on first reading to impose a temporary moratorium on the issuance of certificates of zoning compliance, building permits, design review approvals, site development plan approval, subdivision approval or other similar land-use or construction approvals for standalone multifamily developments.

Ms. Clifford, speaking for city staff, said the moratorium \"does not affect the apartments that are currently in the pipeline that are part of the planned development,\" and cited as examples Riverside Village, The Hive and Parkers, which she said have prior approvals and are not subject to the moratorium.

The staff explanation said the pause will allow time to update the city's comprehensive plan and consider where multifamily development best fits within the city. Council voted for the ordinance on first reading without additional amendments; a second reading will be required for final adoption.","City Council adopted a temporary moratorium on certificates of zoning compliance, building permits and other approvals for standalone multifamily developments while staff updates the comprehensive plan; staff said projects already in the pipeline are exempt.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6298228,"Council approves first readings to fold commercial parcels into The Hive planned development; residents raise traffic concerns",375,2872000,3247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5&start=2872&end=3247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5/thumbnail_2872000.jpg","/articles/6298228/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-first-readings-to-fold-commercial-parcels-into-The-Hive-planned-development-residents-raise-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298228-06df2a787f58c3bee48d8f09ae213414/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=TA0UG3MuxT1WEXhT6o3~s-Kmn57CnN06k1D2ncxtUD7D~OqSASSsDNN6Sh6wQ2OeY8BiWY2w-8I~e5un-ztzlLaFtnceo8TzRvOvgOVuP91m95mHVhPLW22LJq4P3wBbwxOHDdaEY97bkM3JX7weYb6xlY33EDwNE~ZzlEGDBNkVNIcPLLaSvtHG2MVnyj7PV0XqL9oS-zlseQASebgCXXtNHbx5aMLcVoViKnmi08fG0D~-D33OfOGbDlZsq9kwI-tYOfQylozlFTjZ15XYskElcHfyFXLEpywM-8n4f1DpPvNkTLgo0URXXG-MkbxiMKvKTeikg9vL73YbJboPHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On first reading, North Augusta City Council voted unanimously to rezone roughly 25.59 acres from General Commercial to Planned Development and to approve a general development plan for the 201.8-acre project known as The Hive along West Martintown Road.

Ms. Clifford (city staff) told council the action bundles parcels that historically were part of the larger planned development but remained zoned general commercial on paper. \"What it will not do, it does not change anything having to do with residential housing,\" Ms. Clifford said, explaining that the move simply incorporates the commercial frontage into the existing PD so the developer can coordinate more efficiently with SCDOT and other agencies.

During the public comment period, resident George Stickler said he was concerned about traffic and merging on Martintown Road, calling conditions \"like playing Frogger\" at some intersections and warning that traffic speeds between Hammonds Pond and I-20 often exceed the posted 45 mph. Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and pointed to existing planning work and capital funding. The mayor noted the city included about $3 million in the capital project sales tax program to help address traffic needs and referenced past east Martintown Road corridor studies that guide current planning.

Both ordinances were recommended by the Planning Commission, and council members said the zoning change and general development plan are intended to streamline approvals already contemplated by the developer.","Council unanimously approved first readings to rezone about 25.59 acres and to accept a general development plan for a 201.8-acre mixed-use project known as The Hive; citizens and council members raised concerns about traffic along West Martintown Road and access at nearby intersections.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6298232,"Home builders urge city to reconsider proposed impact fees, warn of higher housing and retail costs",205,346000,551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5&start=346&end=551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505160-4236016f5e3b40e6b664858bdf986bf5/thumbnail_346000.jpg","/articles/6298232/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Home-builders-urge-city-to-reconsider-proposed-impact-fees-warn-of-higher-housing-and-retail-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298232-cb8bfb9b48bdc4d670e5fb455ceccfd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=T6VXD151e3JTceQR5RA-snsXEqTw5xcPxby4mit3jf5waOJs-BRKyBzXxbE2pbT~AAwBO0OfUtlMJ96dOCl3wHjbuSgufa1l-eEIlCCUeqwdKtZmfXUpqfPlIgOmmyn-osQah2T991YncQ4aVqz7DFpckV5VvORw78NebAWYOmnY6kLyDiEriI~Y0l-ufWmdDerwMZsYLi9~iAKm3a4sCvAeHlHdDJiWHtbcDi~rMQz7z6sFg4Oa0hIDJALwGE3kR0Y9jVBklvDRZ~MYLXPrwb5shEQIMMHwX4dATI-wdSs-QdSWP5sNbVC-tQ7GfA7hEGTNBt-3hqH3X5ETNfB18g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tiffany Heitzman, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Aiken-Augusta, told the City of North Augusta during the council\fommittee\u000forum that the consultant\u000estimate of roughly $5,100 in impact fees per house would be borne by homebuyers and could curb both housing and commercial development.

Heitzman said typical local development costs already include permit and review fees, performance and maintenance bonds, and building permits. \"The proposed impact fees that y'all are proposing at approximately $5,100 per house is really passed down to the home buyer,\" she said, adding that the fee translated to an extra $13,000 to $15,000 over a 30-year mortgage at current rates.

She also gave examples for commercial projects, saying the proposed fees would add an estimated $187,000 to $281,000 for a new grocery store of 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and about $30,000 for a typical 6,000-square-foot sit-down restaurant. \"So as we hear and I've heard a lot of you all say you want more to do here in your city,\" Heitzman said, \"but this is gonna make it very challenging for not only retail and other commercial development, but also homes to be built.\"

Heitzman referenced national affordability data, saying \"over 70% of US households in this country cannot afford a new home,\" and urged council to consider alternatives: \"There are other alternatives to impact fees.\" She noted only a minority of South Carolina municipalities and counties have adopted impact fees.

Council members and staff acknowledged the comment and said the city will hold further study sessions and consider other options before any vote. Mayor Britton S. Williams (speaking later in the meeting) told Heitzman the council asked the consultant to \"think through some other options\" and that further study and additional readings would be likely before a final decision.

The comments were part of the meeting's public comment portion; council did not vote on impact fees at the meeting.","The Home Builders Association of Greater Aiken-Augusta told North Augusta City Council that the consultant\u000estimate of about $5,100 in impact fees per house would be passed to buyers and could price some families out of new homes and deter retail development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves engineering fee housekeeping, parade-permit transfer and subdivision dedication; roundup of votes

City updates storm-recovery work: stump removal progress, debris volumes and limited yard-waste pickups

Council imposes temporary moratorium on standalone multifamily approvals; staff says existing projects unaffected

Council approves first readings to fold commercial parcels into The Hive planned development; residents raise traffic concerns

Home builders urge city to reconsider proposed impact fees, warn of higher housing and retail costs