North Augusta council approves election schedule, zoning and other measures; several items tabled
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Summary
On Feb. 2 the council approved a package of election ordinances to move municipal elections to the federal cycle, rezoned parcels for commercial use and approved several resolutions including a condominium conversion and turf contract; the Emmons Ferry plan and a Riverside purchase were tabled.
The North Augusta City Council on Feb. 2 voted on multiple ordinances and resolutions as part of its regular meeting. Highlights include changes to the municipal election schedule, zoning approvals, a condominium conversion consent, and several administrative resolutions. Several items were tabled for later consideration.
Election ordinances: Council approved three election-related ordinances on second reading to move municipal elections into the federal (even-year) cycle, set the nomination/election schedule, and change the date newly elected officers take office to January of the following year; staff emphasized the state-required separation between ordinance readings and said the city will partner with Aiken County elections for ballot mechanics. The council also authorized $25,000 to pay Aiken County for machine rental and staffing logistics.
Zoning and development: Council approved Ordinance 2026-O1 (second reading) to rezone roughly 4.93 acres near East Martintown Road and Knox Avenue from PD to GC — staff described the site as near Crossroads Market adjacent to Publix, and the mayor recorded the vote as 5–1 in favor. Council gave first reading approval for Ordinance 2026-O5 to rezone about 30.37 acres owned by True North Church from R-7 and OC to GC to allow a classroom addition and to consolidate parcel zoning; staff said neighbors raised traffic and access concerns at the planning commission. The revised Emmons Ferry general development plan (phase B) was moved and tabled at first reading for later consideration.
Riverside Village matters: A resolution authorizing the city (as owner of Unit 2) to consent to conversion of Unit 4 from apartments to condominiums was approved after the applicant’s counsel said rentals would be allowed with deed restrictions that preserve eligibility for FHA/VA financing in some cases. A separate resolution to purchase parcels in Riverside Village was tabled.
Other approvals: Council approved ATAX (accommodations tax) extensions to move about $40,000 of unspent funds between program years for future distribution, confirmed the Ballpark Village Municipal Improvement District assessment roll for 2025–26, and accepted the low bid from Wilson Associates Sports Turf for Riverview Park athletic fields maintenance services.
Votes and procedural notes: Several items passed unanimously; where the transcript records a nonunanimous count it is reported as given. Emmons Ferry and the Riverside property purchase were tabled so the council could gather additional information.
What’s next: Tabling means the items will not return to a meeting agenda unless the mayor or two councilmembers request it; staff will continue logistical work to coordinate the election partnership with Aiken County and to return procurement or feasibility details (for turf, the animal-shelter improvements and other capital items) to council.
