Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Government Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Camden council approves annexation, accepts subdivision streets and advances code changes on first reading
Summary
Camden City Council on Jan. 6 unanimously approved a second-reading annexation for two Battleship Road properties, accepted ownership of streets in two subdivisions, and advanced amendments to the city code on flood prevention and overlay standards (including fence-height and mural provisions). A resident urged clearer ordinance language during public comment.
Camden City Council, presided over by Mayor Pro Tem Hamilton Boykin, met Jan. 6 and unanimously approved a second-reading annexation ordinance, accepted subdivision streets into the city system and advanced two city-code amendments on first reading.
The council voted to annex property at 146 Battleship Road and 154A Battleship Road under Ordinance #2025-038 after comments from Planning and Development Director Shawn Putnam. Councilmember William Wilkes moved to approve the ordinance, Councilmember Phil Elliott seconded, and the measure passed unanimously.
Also on the agenda, the council adopted Resolution #2026-001 and Resolution #2026-002 accepting ownership of streets and the associated storm drainage, water and sewer systems within the rights-of-way for the Eve’s Garden and Bellehaven subdivisions. Council approved those resolutions by unanimous vote.
Councilmembers also advanced two amendments to the City of Camden Code of Ordinances on first reading. Ordinance #2026-001 would amend chapter 152 on flood damage prevention; the motion to approve on first reading was moved by Councilmember William Wilkes, seconded by Councilmember Phil Elliott, and passed unanimously. Ordinance #2026-002 would amend provisions related to overlay districts, design standards, landscaping and buffer requirements, and certain provisions pertaining to fence heights and murals. Councilmember Delia J. Davis moved approval, Councilmember Wilkes seconded, and the ordinance advanced on first reading after the council made a minor revision to the language.
During the public-comment period, Felicity Overturf spoke in favor of the proposed changes to the fence-height and mural regulations but urged clearer verbiage and a revised diagram to define requirements more precisely. Overturf asked the council to revise the ordinance text and accompanying diagram to remove ambiguity about how standards would be applied.
On routine business, the council unanimously approved the Dec. 2, 2025 meeting minutes (motion by Councilmember Phil Elliott; second by Councilmember William Wilkes) and the Jan. 6, 2026 proposed agenda (motion by Councilmember William Wilkes; second by Councilmember Delia J. Davis) after correcting a minor typographical error in Item 10. Consent items approved included installation of Leader’s Legacy recognition benches honoring Penny Pullum, Edward Manly Royall and Billy Jack Silver.
City Manager Matt DeWitt introduced Victoria Smith as Camden’s new finance director.
The council adjourned at 6:05 p.m. in honor of Lynn Rose.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Dec. 2, 2025 minutes — Mover: Councilmember Phil Elliott; Second: Councilmember William Wilkes; Outcome: unanimous (4–0). - Approval of Jan. 6, 2026 agenda — Mover: Councilmember William Wilkes; Second: Councilmember Delia J. Davis; Outcome: unanimous (4–0). - Consent: Leader’s Legacy benches (Penny Pullum; Edward Manly Royall; Billy Jack Silver) — Outcome: unanimous. - Resolution #2026-001 (Eve’s Garden streets) — Outcome: unanimous. - Resolution #2026-002 (Bellehaven streets) — Outcome: unanimous. - Ordinance #2025-038 (annexation, 2nd reading; 146 & 154A Battleship Road) — Mover: William Wilkes; Second: Phil Elliott; Outcome: unanimous. - Ordinance #2026-001 (Flood Damage Prevention, 1st reading) — Mover: William Wilkes; Second: Phil Elliott; Outcome: approved on first reading. - Ordinance #2026-002 (Overlay/districts, fence heights and murals, 1st reading) — Mover: Delia J. Davis; Second: William Wilkes; Outcome: approved on first reading (minor revision adopted).
