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Churchill Heights residents urge council to require barrier, say Fairfield Inn threatens neighborhood
Summary
Residents of Churchill Heights told Cayce council the nearby Fairfield Inn development threatens safety, privacy and property values and asked for an eight-foot masonry wall and clearer communication; Council scheduled a neighborhood meeting with the developer and staff for Aug. 14.
Residents of the Churchill Heights neighborhood told Cayce City Council on Aug. 5 that the construction of a Fairfield Inn adjacent to their homes raises safety and privacy concerns and asked council to require mitigation measures such as an eight-foot masonry wall.
"If the project proceeded, they would require an eight (8) foot masonry wall to protect the safety and privacy of residents," said Kasey Lawson during the public-comment period, adding residents felt they were not informed by the city before construction began and received mixed messages about meeting dates.
Alice Rose, who said she rides the same bus route and has children who use the neighborhood stops, thanked the Cayce Police Department for past service but said the proximity of a hotel, where strangers may stay, ‘‘calls [her] safety into question.’’ Paul Gregory said he and his wife had bought in Churchill Heights for its quiet, safety and that they expected protections "to keep them safe."
Council members responded by arranging a city-hosted community meeting with staff, the developer and relevant agencies to address neighbors’ questions and mitigation options. Council Member Hunter Sox said staff and the developer would attend and the meeting was scheduled for Aug. 14 at 6 p.m.; he asked that staff provide large-format site plans and planting/retention details for neighbors to review.
Mayor Elise Partin acknowledged the frustration residents described about notice, and said she had requested the developer provide fencing and design options, including an eight-foot masonry wall. Sox noted the stretch of Airport Boulevard is zoned commercial and that the hotel could be built by right without rezoning, which limited city discretion over permitted uses.
The meeting is intended to clarify setbacks, easement and stormwater details, tree removal and what screening measures might be feasible. Council did not take any regulatory action that night; neighbors and council members emphasized working with the developer and County/State partners where jurisdiction applies.
