GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  The 18-acre, $1.07 million tract of land in Maryville recently purchased by the City of Georgetown must be rezoned before it can be used.

But, city council does not have to rezone the site until they have concrete plans presented for the property.

The only thing in stone is part of the site will be used for a new Maryville fire station.

The discussion began with Councilman Rudolph Bradley immediately making a motion to deny the rezoning recommendation to make the site a public service area.

The request was seconded by Councilman Clarence Smalls, then a lengthy discussion began.

Councilman Brendon Barber said he thought anytime a developer asks for a zoning change, they must present plans for the property.

“Not just to rezone,” City Planner Steve Stack responded.

Bradley said he “is not comfortable until staff brings a plan to us.”

He said he would like to see part of the site set aside for an industrial park.

Stack reminded council it will ultimately be their decision what happens to the site after it is rezoned.

Earlier in the meeting, citizen Lee Padgett asked council to vote "no" to the rezoning.

 He said tree clearing has been taking place on the site without approval. He said that is in violation of the city's Overlay District rules. He asked for a "stop work order" to be issued until the approval takes place.

Responding to the concerns raised by Lee Padgett, City Attorney Elise Crosby said the Overlay Zone rules do not apply to the property at this time because a site plan has not been submitted. She also said city property is exempt from the city's tree ordinance.

In the end, council decided to table the matter until plans can be presented to show various possible uses for the property.

Website upgrades on hold

Council also decided to defer a request to spend $4,700 to upgrade the city’s website.

Kevin Rapps, the city’s Information Technology specialist, said the low bidder to do the job was E Gov Link, with a price of $4,700.

He said he recommended that company because it specializes in government websites.

However, Councilman Paige Sawyer said the city should hire Methods Development Inc., which submitted a bid of $4,930 be because it is a local company.

A representative from that company was at the meeting and was invited to stand up front during the discussion in case council had questions for him.

That, according to Barber, was illegal.

“We are breaking my procurement code. You have only one vendor up here. If you want to do business, do it the right way. This is going to be a circus and we will get sued out the yazoo,” Barber said.

Council member Jeanette Ard agreed with Sawyer saying the city should support local businesses.

Rapps said the local company does not do web hosting. That service would be done in Virginia.

Council has instructed staff to re-question the vendors and the matter will be talked about again next month.

Festivals get funding

Two upcoming festivals received $7,000 each from the city’s Hospitality Tax funds.

Susan Hibbs of the Harbor Historic Association asked council for that amount for the Wooden Boat Show. She said the money is needed for advertising the festival.

 During the discussion about the Wooden Boat Show, Bradley called it Harborwalk (the name of another festival) twice. He was corrected by Mayor Jack Scoville.

Bradley stopped talking briefly and said "excuse me Mr. Mayor, I do not need you to correct me."

Ben Klopp asked for the money for the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival to be held in January.

Sawyer was the lone “no” vote to the requests.

Last month, he stood alone when he voted “no” to a $7,000 request for the Harborwalk Festival, held in June.

"I said we were opening a can of worms and sure enough they are all over the floor right now," Sawyer said.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com