Rick Semon Roll call

City council convened for its public hearing Wednesday, May 10, at 10 am. Mayor Bob Coble and Councilman E.W. Cromartie were in Washington, D.C. All other council members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, Daniel Rickenmann, and councilman-elect Kirkman Finlay.

Community Development

Rick Semon, director, presided over the second public hearing on the amendments and the FY 2005-06 Community Development Block Grant budget, which ended with approval. Also approved was the budget for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) along with the applications for Columbia Assisting Neighborhood Development Opportunities (CANDO). The funds come from the federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG FY 2006-07 entitlement is $1,350,639.

Zoning public hearing - selected approved projects

+ 1111 Balsam Road. Applicant C. Braden Stoneburner Jr. was told to take city council's tentative approval until the second reading. In the meantime, John Dooley of city utilities was asked by council to check potential for water supply problems. According to the neighbors, the water feed for the house at 1111 Balsam is only 2", the same for everyone on the street. Dooley said a 6" main is the norm.

C. Braden Stoneburner Jr. + 601-621 Main Street. Attorney Robert F. Fuller represented Holder Properties in their successful request for a zoning change. The project includes 115 dwelling units and 227 off-street parking spaces.

+ 4600 Trenholm Road. A former dance studio, the building is being altered and renovated to become another office for Dr. Boyd, a dentist who also has an office in Spring Valley.

+ 2300 block of Two Notch Road. Benedict College is proposing a 87-room hotel on its new football stadium property.

+ 519-525 Laurel Street, 1801-1813 Pulaski Street, NX 612 Richland Street, 1817 Wayne Street, 617-619 Laurel Street, 615 Laurel Street, 603-605 Laurel Street, 1808-1809 1/2 Pulaski Street, 1812-1812 1/2 Pulaski Street, 1814 Pulaski Street. Brian Boyer, representing Arsenal Hill Associates, presented council with his project, featuring the affordable housing mixed with the pricey.

Brian Boyer + 401 Williams Street, 431 Williams Street, W/S Williams Street. USC was represented by John McArthur of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, who walked council through the plans for a new 7,500-seat baseball stadium on the Congaree River. Councilwoman Sinclair asked Charlie Thompson, land owner, to stand and be recognized as instrumental in putting the deal together.

+ 6720 Pennington Road at Peyton Street. Lucas Bunch of Pennington Place Development presented his plans to council, and neighbor Mary Hopkins came forward to offer her full endorsement. Disgruntled neighbor Andy Love complained the density was too high, to which investor Don Tomlin responded with an explanation of the residential development business: to hold down the cost of the housing units, to make them affordable, the density offsets the cost of the land. Another disgruntled neighbor asked something about when did the cost of land start to influence the density of housing. A few informed members of the audience whispered in unison, "Since recorded history began, or close to 5,000 BC."

Mary Hopkins and Lucas Bunch

Budget

In partial preparation for the night's public hearing on the city budget, Melissa Caughman, city budget administrator, passed on the bad news: 20 mills must be added to the city's tax bills along with a 5% increase in water/sewer charges this year. After this year and each year for another four years, 5% must be added to water/ sewer. If not, slash and burn tactics will be applied to existing city services, maybe even including the basics. City Manager Charles Austin backed up Caughman, while Rickenmann blasted his contemporaries for delivering him the mess in his first year in office. Councilman-elect Finlay warned council to stay out of the water/sewer fund, keep the water/sewer money out of everything but water/sewer. Conspicuously absent were Councilman Cromartie and Mayor Bob Coble, the two main champions of wealth transfer out of water/sewer to their favorite projects.

Andy Love

Next meeting

Council meets Wednesday, May 17, at 9 am for a work session and at 10 am for a regular meeting. Both gatherings are on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.