Plan commission conditionally approves 8‑lot Hummingbird Drive subdivision after residents raise water and road concerns

Edgefield County Plan Commission members voted May 8 to preliminarily approve a proposed eight‑lot subdivision off Hummingbird Drive in Trenton, subject to the applicant satisfying outstanding items including requirements related to fire protection and other noncompliance noted by staff.

The vote came after three nearby residents spoke during a public hearing and asked the commission to consider longstanding use of a water line and the condition of local roads. The plan commission said it had discussed the proposal in a prior work session and would approve the application conditioned on the applicant meeting the listed requirements.

Residents said infrastructure and legal‑use questions remain unresolved. Wayne Chrome, a resident who said he lives at 118 Pinto Lane and whose property is adjacent to the proposed subdivision, told the commission he has a water service line that crosses the parcel under review and described it as longstanding county water. "It's county water," Chrome said, and he cited state law he said gives neighboring property owners a right to continue using a supply line after long‑term use. He asked what would happen to the line if the new lots are developed.

Another resident, Doug Martin, said he lives nearby and described Hummingbird Drive as a largely dirt road that is not fully maintained by the county. "I'm not too thrilled about having a whole bunch of houses put in there right next to my property," Martin said, expressing concern about access, road washouts and how new traffic and construction would be handled.

Commissioners and staff told residents the concerns were noted and should be pursued with county administration and the transportation department as appropriate. A commission member summarized that the materials were accepted as information and that no final approval had been given before the vote. The commission then moved to approve the subdivision preliminarily with the condition that outstanding noncompliance items be satisfied; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The record shows the commission discussed the subdivision in its work session earlier the same day and that the approval at the meeting was labeled preliminary and conditional. The commission instructed staff and the applicant to follow up with the appropriate county departments to resolve physical‑infrastructure questions and any outstanding plan requirements before final plat acceptance.

Next steps identified in the meeting: the applicant must meet the commission's conditions (including items related to fire protection noted during discussion) and coordinate with county staff on road and utility questions. Residents were advised to pursue legal clarification about the water line claim if documentation is needed; one resident referenced "South Carolina state code" regarding long‑term use of a supply line but did not cite a statute number, and a commission member recommended seeking documentation or legal advice where necessary.

The commission did not record a roll‑call vote with individual names in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote and was entered as approved subject to the noted conditions.