Here’s a recap of the March 14 meeting of Fountain Inn City Council.
Initial approval: Annexation request for historic Jones Mill property
Council gave initial approval for an annexation request for 8.22 acres on Jones Mill Road.
The property features the historic Jones Mill.
The applicants, Charles Gray and the Fountain Inn Museum, plan to use the property and an additional 20 acres owned by the museum to preserve the mill and establish a nature park to include walking trails, pedestrian bridges over Durbin Creek, informative displays and picnic shelters.
This item will go before the City Council for final approval April 11.
Initial approval: $2M in city sewer system bonds
Council gave initial approval to issue and sell up to $2 million in city sewer system revenue bonds.
The money will support the $1.3 million matching fund requirement to receive over $7.5 million in federal funds to support the city’s Durbin Creek Basin Sanitary Rehabilitation Project. Through the project, the city plans to:
- Remove substantial inflow and infiltration from the sewer system and meet the requirements for I/I reduction mandated by ReWa’s Wet-Weather Improvements Program
- Reduce sewer system overflows and backups
- Remove old clay sewers, brick manholes and service laterals
- Install PVC and ductile iron sewer lines
This item will go before the City Council for final approval April 11.
Tabled: Rezoning for retail and self-storage facility
Council tabled a rezoning request for 3.49 acres at 1314 and 1318 N. Main St.
The applicant, Alex Dmyterko of Century Development Partners LLC, plans to build a three-tenant retail/ office building at the front of the site and a three-story, 90,000-square-foot climate-controlled self-storage facility at the rear of the property.
This item will go before council for final approval April 11.
Initial approval: Church and parking lot expansion, 37 townhomes
Council gave initial approval to rezone 7.31 acres at 200, 202, 303 and 307 Fairview St. and 112 Parsons St.
The applicant, Seth Henry of Blackstock Development, plans to combine the six parcels to create a planned development, which will include:
- 37 townhomes on the north side of Fairview Street
- On the south side of the road, Beulah Christian Fellowship will expand to add an event hall and the onsite parking lot will be expanded
- A new trail system to connect the properties
This item will go before the City Council for final approval April 11.
Final approval: Budget amendment
Council gave final approval to an amendment to account for appropriations it made to the city’s 2023-24 budget.
The expenditures cost $361,845 and include:
- Covering increased costs in special events and Christmas festival expenses to allow for growth in activities, event improvements and paying for Christmas festival carriage rides
- Supporting the Fountain Inn Police Department’s victim advocate department
- Funding annual performance bonuses that were not included in the original budget
- Covering additional expenses to prepare Emmanuel Sullivan and PD Terry Park for spring baseball/softball season, such as re-grading, mulch, netting and batting cages
- Paying for unplanned grounds maintenance expenses for Sanctified Hill Park and Georgia Street Park
The expenditures are funded by Greenville County tax revenue and interest income.
Other items: Project updates and city news
During his report to City Council, City Administrator Shawn M. Bell provided updates for several city projects, including:
- Woodside Streetscape project is underway. Water valves in the area are being moved and stormwater infrastructure is being upgraded
- Woodside Connector’s contractor has started demolition of the existing trail
- Dugout cover installation at Emanuel Sullivan Sports Complex and P.D. Terry City Park is underway
Other highlights from Bell’s report include:
- The public works department has an online form on the city’s Facebook page for residents to submit comments regarding stormwater problem areas
- The city has received a $10,000 Palmetto Pride anti-litter grant
