Staff: edgefield saw record permit year; county slowing encroachment permits amid utility-marking backlog

At the Dec. 11 meeting, county staff reported a surge in permits tied to hurricane rebuilding and a backlog in 811 utility markings that has led the county to slow issuance of encroachment permits for county-owned roads.

Hart Clark, a county staff member, said the county has issued an all-time record of 1,062 permits this year and that the crews laying fiber and other utilities are coming from many contractors across the country. "Their crews responsible for 811 markings cannot keep up with the number of permits that have been issued," Clark said, and the county is temporarily slowing encroachment permits to give 811 operators time to catch up.

Vice-Chair Lisa Whitaker and other commissioners noted residents' complaints that third-party contractors have left building materials, driven across private yards and caused damage. "They need to be respectful," Whitaker said, describing reports of trucks driving onto yards and leaving debris. Clark advised residents to report incidents to code enforcement at 803-637-4073 so staff can identify the permitted project manager and require cleanup.

Clark also said some permit types (county-owned road encroachments) are being slowed but not ignored, and that state roads and private roads require DOT approval or private-owner permission. He identified Edgefield County Water and Sewer Authority, Dominion and AT&T among organizations coordinating with the county and said Spectrum is often the permitted holder pursued when third-party crews cause problems.

The commission did not take formal action on the permitting practice at the meeting; staff said issuance will resume once 811-marking crews have reduced backlogs.