Possible conflicts delay vote on N. Augusta budget

The North Augusta City Council began Monday's session by unanimously agreeing to delay the third and final reading of the 2019 budget because of a potential conflict of interest on certain items.

The council said those items might need to be removed and voted on separately. The budget needs to be approved by Dec. 31.

“We’ve become embroiled in another potential controversy over community promotions, where we provide money to CSRA Alliance and other places,” Mayor Robert Pettit said. “The question is if you are related in a more than casual way to these organizations, do you have to recuse yourself on the entire budget because of that?”

The council also decided to delay a vote on levying the annual tax on property.

The ordinance granting easements to Wide Open West Inc. for the placement of facilities related to the construction of Riverside Village at Hammonds Ferry was approved after its third and final reading.

After two readings, an ordinance to change the corporate limits of North Augusta by annexing 1.72 acres of property was unanimously approved. That property belongs to Greg’s Gas Plus, on the corner of Five Notch Road and Pisgah Road.

An ordinance setting the dates for municipal party primaries, conventions and the general election was approved after two readings. In a change from previous years, elections will be held for open positions even if there are no challengers.

The 2019 municipal general election, which includes three members of city council, will be held Tuesday, April 30. If necessary, primary elections will be held Feb. 12.

An ordinance to amend North Augusta’s zoning map was also discussed. The ordinance involves rezoning about 67.57 acres of land owned by the Summers Family Trust along Austin Graybill Road between Orchard Way and Fox Trail Drive from R10 medium lot residential to R5 mixed residential.

The application comes from CSRA Development LLC. The first and second readings of the ordinance were approved, but council members Fletcher Dickert and Kenneth McDowell were opposed because of several concerns, including the wide range of building options the R5 designation allows.

The R5 zoning district would allow for apartment buildings, single-family detached homes, multi-family dwellings, duplexes and more.

During a study session, the council also briefly discussed an ordinance relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public. Action to amend this ordinance was tabled Feb. 19, but no action was taken Monday.