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County project to extend East Montclair Way to Freedom Boulevard approved for sketch plan; resident raises stormwater concerns
Summary
The commission approved a sketch plan that allows Florence County to extend East Montclair Way to Freedom Boulevard; a nearby resident told the commission existing stormwater runoff behind properties is a long‑standing problem that the county and DOT will need to address in later engineering work.
The Florence City Planning Commission approved a sketch plan that permits Florence County to extend East Montclair Way approximately 650 feet to connect to Freedom Boulevard, a county‑funded capital project the county expects to maintain if built.
City staff described the proposal as a county project that would widen the right of way from 50 feet to 75 feet approaching Freedom Boulevard. The planned street would include two 12‑foot travel lanes and a dedicated left‑turn lane at the connection, sidewalks on both sides, ADA ramps and stormwater infrastructure. SCDOT must issue an encroachment permit for the intersection and will make final determinations on traffic control measures; staff said DOT may require a traffic study during the permitting process.
During public participation, resident Perry Heckman urged the commission to address long‑standing stormwater runoff that flows behind properties near Freedom Boulevard, noting prior contacts with county, city and private property managers had not solved the problem. “I have attempted on many, many occasions talking to people from the county, from the city, from the state…nobody has addressed and will address the stormwater runoff situation,” Heckman said.
Kevin Yoakum, Florence County administrator, told commissioners the county has been discussing the connection for more than a year, has met with DOT engineers and views the extension as part of a broader roadway strategy to relieve congestion. Yoakum said the county intends to fund the project from capital project sales tax dollars and that DOT will decide whether a traffic signal will be required at the new intersection. He also offered to meet with residents who have stormwater concerns and to involve county public works staff.
The commission voted to approve the sketch plan; staff emphasized that engineering, stormwater and encroachment details will be addressed in subsequent permitting and development plan phases.
