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Neighbors tell planning commission Whiskey Road project needs better traffic mitigation
Summary
Residents at an Aiken City Planning Commission hearing urged caution on a proposed 2.5-acre commercial concept on Whiskey Road, citing left-turn hazards and an SCDOT reconstruction schedule that residents say lags planned building completion.
Residents and nearby homeowners urged the Aiken City Planning Commission to press for traffic mitigation before approving a concept plan for a commercial parcel at the Whiskey Road corridor.
At the hearing on concept plan application 26-23005 for Apple McKnight Angler LLC, neighbor Bill Reichardt said the parcel is roughly 2.5 acres and raised a concern that planned-commercial zoning typically requires a five-acre minimum under a city ordinance he cited. Planning staff replied that the larger tract was rezoned planned commercial in 2003 and that parcels were later divided; staff said any future work on the back parcel would return to the commission and council.
Bill Howard, president of the Springstone Homeowners Association, told the commission: "We can barely get 3 cars out at Stratford Hall at Stratford Drive... we can barely get 3 cars out to turn left to head to town before the light turns." He and Elizabeth Hammond, another nearby resident, urged the commission to require careful review of the traffic study and to coordinate with the South Carolina Department of Transportation on turn lanes, signals and signage.
Planning staff said the applicant submitted a traffic impact analysis that is under review and that turn-lane warrants would determine whether dedicated left-turn lanes or signal changes are required. Staff also said the entire intersection is under design by SCDOT and is scheduled for construction in 2028; residents noted that the building is projected to be completed in mid-2027, creating a potential timing gap.
A developer representative said the project team had signed letters of intent with prospective tenants, confirmed that water and sewer utilities serve the parcel, and will work with SCDOT and city engineering on any right-of-way needs. The developer said the traffic study is already in review and they will follow up on comments from the city's traffic engineer.
The commission moved to forward the concept plan to City Council with the written conclusions and conditions; the transcript records expressions of concern but the commission carried the motion.
What’s next: the concept plan and any recommended conditions will be considered by City Council; the traffic impact study review will continue with city staff and the applicant.
