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North Augusta council advances Riverside Village change, approves stormwater contract and hazard plan
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Summary
At its March 16 meeting the North Augusta City Council unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance to allow commercial office on Riverside Village’s Parcel D, updated the city’s telecommunications use table, approved a $507,000 low bid for drainage work, adopted the Lower Savannah hazard mitigation plan, and reprioritized Capital Project Sales Tax 4 funding.
Mayor Bridal S. Williams called the March 16 City Council meeting to order and the council moved through a packed agenda that included land‑use changes, stormwater work, grant‑eligibility steps and a reprioritization of capital projects.
City staff summarized the largest land‑use item: Ordinance 2026‑06 would change Parcel D in the 195.39‑acre Hammonds Ferry planned development in Riverside Village from a planned townhome/residential use to commercial office and parking. Clifford, speaking for city staff, said the ordinance sets an 80,000‑square‑foot maximum for the parcel but that "we're not gonna be able to afford to build an 80,000 square foot building" and that a much smaller building is likely to be developed. Clifford told the council that if the ordinance passes second reading, the next meeting will include a resolution to purchase the property and the stadium deck to support a cyber infrastructure project.
Council members raised practical questions about parking and accessibility. One councilmember asked whether required handicap parking would be on the lot or rely on the parking deck; Clifford replied that "there's gonna be a minimum requirement of ADA parking on‑site" and that the lot will need spaces adjacent to the facility rather than relying entirely on the deck. On motions, the council removed the ordinance from the table and approved it on first reading by unanimous vote.
On other land‑use and infrastructure business, the council adopted Ordinance 2026‑07 on second reading to amend Table 5.1 of the North Augusta development code to align the city’s use table with review steps for telecommunication towers and antennas. Clifford said the change "would marry up those two requirements" so public‑property proposals are handled consistently before any site‑specific leasing or siting resolution returns to council.
The council also approved several funding and capital actions. Resolution 2026‑17 adopted a reprioritized project and funding list for Capital Project Sales Tax 4 after an off‑site prioritization exercise; staff said the collection period is winding down and decisions are now based on actual receipts rather than projections. The body voted to accept Palmetto Construction Management’s low bid for Crestview Woodland Drainage Improvements — staff reported a low bid of approximately $507,000 plus contingency and said work could begin once procurement steps are complete to address neighborhood stormwater issues near Woodlawn Avenue.
On emergency planning, the council adopted Resolution 2026‑19 to join the Lower Savannah Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Clifford reminded the council that participation is a requirement for FEMA and SCEMD funding eligibility in the event of a federal disaster and that there is no direct cost to the city to be in the plan.
The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑20, accepting the Accommodation Tax Advisory Committee’s recommendations for redistributed disbursement of revenues for tax years 2024–2025. Jamie Paul, introduced by staff as the city clerk, summarized the exhibit documenting requests and the committee’s recommended allocations.
In presentations and public comment, Takiyah Dows, government and community affairs manager for Comcast/Xfinity, announced a new Xfinity retail store at the Walmart Plaza (1229 Knox Avenue) with a grand‑opening community celebration planned for April 17. The meeting closed after council announcements about upcoming community events and a request to study wayfinding signage to the animal shelter and recycling facility.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2026‑06 (Hammonds Ferry/Riverside Village parcel D): Removed from table and approved on first reading (vote recorded as unanimous). - Ordinance 2026‑07 (amend Table 5.1 — telecommunications): Approved on second reading (unanimous). - Resolution 2026‑17 (Capital Project Sales Tax 4 reprioritization): Approved (unanimous). - Resolution 2026‑18 (Crestview Woodland Drainage — low bid award to Palmetto Construction Management, ~$507,000): Approved (unanimous). - Resolution 2026‑19 (Lower Savannah Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan): Adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 2026‑20 (Accommodation Tax allocations): Approved (unanimous).
Next steps and context: The Riverside Village ordinance will return for second reading alongside related purchase/resolution if council moves forward. Staff said several procurement and plan‑approval steps remain on the drainage project and the telecom use‑table change is a precursor to future site‑specific siting and leasing discussions. The council adjourned at the close of regular business.
