Request for rezoning

The August 12 Forest Acres City Council meeting began with a public hearing to receive input on a request to rezone.

Request to rezone 3546 Covenant Rd., TMS# 14012- 11- 02, presently zoned Residential R- 1 and 14012- 11- 01, presently zoned Residential R- 2 by extending contiguous district boundaries to encompass these parcels. Wanda Baker explained that she wanted to consolidate two pieces of property into one and rezone the result to commercial. There were no comments for or against the request so the public hearing was adjourned and regular session was called to order.

Roll call

Forest Acres City Council was called to order by Mayor Frank Brunson. Councilman Charles Fetner led the invocation and the pledge. Lee Holloway, Ginger Dukes, Curtis Rye, Frank Brunson, Charles Fetner, Shell Suber, and Mark Williams were all present. The minutes from the previous month's meeting were read and approved with no changes. Mayor's issues

• Twenty-five residential signs are in production and will soon be ready for posting.

• Work has begun on Quinine Hill Park.

• The sidewalks on Beltline Blvd. have been repaired.

• City Administrator Williams has contacted the companies that service dumpsters near Chateau de Ville to ask them not to pick up garbage before 7 am.

New business

• A request to rezone TMS# 16812- 12- 05, Greenbriar Dr. (unimproved; unnumbered) presently zoned R- 1 by extending contiguous C- 3 district boundaries to encompass the property which had been previously denied by Planning Commission was also denied by Council.

• An Ordinance to Rezone TMS# 14110- 02- 01, 19 & 22; Wheeler Rd. from Residential (R1) to Residential (R1- a) was denied. Curtis Rye excused himself from discussion and vote as he resides in that area. This request can be brought before Council again in one year's time.

• The rezoning of 1620 Willingham Drive was denied because that neighborhood lacks legal standing to request rezoning of property. Mayor Brunson asked the police to monitor speed, and the city will look into adding no parking signs.

• A request for a streetlight on Arlene Drive was denied because the street has adequate lighting already.

Old business

• Second reading approval was given to an Ordinance to Annex 3521 Greenway Drive; TMS 16812- 02- 05 (Novak) into the City of Forest Acres, S.C.

• Second Reading approval was given to an Ordinance to Annex 3517 (Culpepper) Greenway Drive; TMS 16812- 02- 04 into the City of Forest Acres, S.C.

City administrator report

• Council would like to thank the Eagle Scouts for their cleaning project at A.C. Flora High School and would like to invite them to help again.

• Joey Paschal of the Public Works Department single- handedly removed a storm damaged tree blocking a roadway. Council reminded citizens that hanging limbs are a safety hazard and should be dealt with quickly.

• The Kigali classroom at Riverbanks Zoo is set to be completed at the end of August. Satch Krantz is planning an opening gala to celebrate.

• Sweet Seasons is set for Thursday December 4.

• AT&T wants to set up a new TV service called U- verse. The application has been filed with the Secretary of State's office.

Community forum

• Neighbors in the vicinity of 1620 Willingham object to continued commercial use of the property due to dangerous traffic situations created by the narrow roadway and people haphazardly parking on the sides of the road. Ginger Dukes moved that Council look into putting no parking signs on both sides of the road. Mark Williams will discuss the possibility with the DOT.

• Mike McIntosh suggested Council investigate installation of decorative crosswalks while routine road resurfacing is being done by the Department of Transportation. The Mayor indicated the timeline would likely not permit such a project at this time.

• Ralph Bailey commented that weed control is needed near the gateway sign in the vicinity of Decker and Two Notch.

Council adjourned for an executive session concerning Military duty. Council will meet again on September 9.