Success! You did it!! Thank you for helping preserve agricultural and equine lands in Aiken County!

SUMMARY

• Aiken County’s DRAFT Comprehensive Plan has been amended to eliminate the Eastern Transition Area!
• The area previously shown as a transition zone has been re-identified as an area of Rural Preservation.
• Planning Commission is expected to refer the plan to County Council with a recommendation for adoption.
• We are very excited about this new plan! 

What Can You Do To Make Sure This NEW Plan is Adopted?

1. Email the Planning Commission and Planning Department and let them know that you appreciate their attention to our concerns.
2. Email County Council and express your support for the amended plan. Email addresses, suggested language, and info on how to find your district appear at the end of this note.

Additional Opportunities to Be Involved

March 19, 6:00 pm -- Planning Commission regular monthly meeting and public hearing. At this meeting, Planning Commissioners are expected to make a recommendation to County Council regarding adoption of the amended plan. If you attend, please convey your excitement and gratitude that they heard us! Let them know we are supportive and enthusiastic about the new draft of the plan.

Further Out

• County Council will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
• Schedule will be determined by Council -- three readings are required.  Right now, we think the most likely date for Public Comment on the Comprehensive Plan at Council is April 21st but we will keep you updated.
• Earliest possible date for final adoption by Council will be in May.  

Tips On Finding Your District and Contacting Your Councilmembers and Planning Commission Reps

Map- https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/Aiken_Final.pdf and https://sc-aikencounty.civicplus.com/529/Council-Members 

Suggested Emails

EMAIL #1 to Planning Director and members of Planning Commission

Joel Duke: jduke@aikencountysc.gov
Andrew Marine: At-Large amarine@mindspring.com
Grace Vance: District 1 grace467@icloud.com
Rex Nordeen: District 2 behive222@aol.com
Jason Palmer: District 3, Chair jasonpalmer0000@gmail.com
James Hudgins: District 4 hudgins.jodi@gmail.com
David McGhee: District 5 david.sitec@comcast.net
Liz Stewart: District 7 lstewart@stewartandassociates.com
(District 6 and District 8 seats are VACANT)

Dear Mr. Duke and Planning Commissioners, 

Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the 2024-2034 Comprehensive Plan.  I reviewed the plan, participated in the public comment, and I heard about the amended growth priorities map. With this amendment, I enthusiastically support this plan and think that it will be a real step forward for Aiken County. I am very grateful to Mr. Duke, the planning staff, and the Planning Commission for their hard work, how open they were to public comment, and how they updated the plan based on the past 15 months of listening to the Aiken County community. 

Thank you for your time and support,

[INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS] 

__________

EMAIL #2 to County Councilmembers

Chairman Bunker: gbunker@aikencountysc.gov
District 1 Councilman Felder: rfelder@aikencountysc.gov
District 2 Councilman Kellems: mkellems@aikencountysc.gov
District 3 Councilman Feagin: dannyfeagin.district3@gmail.com
District 4 Councilman Ball: lball@aikencountysc.gov
District 5 Councilman Haskell: shaskell@aikencountysc.gov
District 6 Councilman Napier: pnapier@aikencountysc.gov
District 7 Councilman Siders: asiders@aikencountysc.gov
District 8 Councilwoman Hightower: pkhightower@aikencountysc.gov

Dear Councilmembers,

I am grateful for the opportunity to review and comment on the 2024-2034 Comprehensive Plan.  I reviewed the plan, participated in the public comment, and I heard about the amended growth priorities map.  With this amendment, I am very enthusiastic to support this plan and think that it will be a real step forward for Aiken County.  I am very grateful to Mr. Duke, the planning staff, and the Planning Commission for their hard work, how open they were to public comment, and how they updated the plan based on the past 15 months of listening to the Aiken County community.  I urge you to support the updated plan. I will continue to follow this plan’s final approval by County Council and will also be very engaged in the next steps and implementation of the plan in the County over the next eight years.  

Thank you for your time and support,

[INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS]