Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Annexation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge return of Dominion strip and protection of Aiken’s East Side agricultural and equestrian areas
Summary
Multiple residents spoke at the council meeting asking the city to divest or de-annex a 10-foot strip of land they said was acquired as part of an annexation plan and to preserve low-density, agricultural equestrian lands on Aiken’s east side.
Several residents addressed Aiken City Council on Monday to press the city to return (divest) or de-annex a narrow strip of land purchased in 2020 from Dominion and to oppose further annexation or development that, they said, would threaten agricultural and equestrian land on Aiken’s east side.
Why it matters: Speakers described the east side as one of the last areas within the region that supports equestrian uses and farmland and argued that preserving that land maintains Aiken’s character and tourism economy.
What speakers said Linda Murphy, an attorney who lives near Montmorency, asked council to “divest and de-annex the ten-foot strip of unbuildable land that was purchased in 2020” and argued the east side is a key agricultural and equestrian area: “the equestrian industry is what makes Aiken unique,” she said.
Samantha Melamed, who said she participates in county planning meetings, said neighbors had mobilized around the Aiken County comprehensive plan and urged coordinated county and city action to preserve rural and equestrian areas as utilities expand.
Other residents including Maggie Rutland, Lynn Givens and David Basher spoke in support of keeping the area agricultural and asked the council to sell the parcel back to Dominion or otherwise prevent annexation that would lead to suburban development.
Council response Mayor Pro Tem Edgiredo addressed the assembled residents later in the meeting, saying he had not discussed annexing that east-side area in his eight years on council and that annexation “is not gonna happen in my lifetime,” and that the city is not actively pursuing a broader eastward annexation plan in the near term.
What’s next Residents asked the council to pursue a return of the strip and for the city to coordinate with Aiken County on comprehensive planning. Council members acknowledged public concern and said the issue has been under discussion in prior years; staff and council gave no immediate commitment to a divestiture at the meeting.
