Graniteville growth has some neighbors raising concerns

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina’s population is continuing to grow with Aiken County seeing a strong growth rate.

As the county grows, some neighbors are speaking out about plans to add more homes to a neighborhood in Graniteville.

It was a packed council room full of concerned people about how a road ing Midland Valley Estates, Horse Creek and the Summit at Horse Creek would impact their lives.

It’s not just a “not in my neighborhood” situation. They say it’s setting an example of how they want the county to grow ... the right way.

“I don’t think a development in that land. Makes sense,” said Bo Kleman.

The latest plan is sparking a lot of questions.

“My kids and I walk that street every day. There are no sidewalks right now because there hasn’t needed to be. But if this happens and we become a connector road, is there going to be sidewalks so that my family can safely enjoy the community we bought into,” Kleman questions.

Developers want to build 49 homes that would connect the neighborhoods.

These neighbors say they aren’t against growth. They just have questions.

“Where are people going to go to school? Where are people gonna go to church? Where people are going to live? Like, we have to think of all the angles before we just throw up houses or throw up a business,” Kleman said.

Almost the entire room testified they had no notice this was even being discussed.

“Are we doing our due diligence as the commission, as the people that are supposed to protect our zoning laws ... protect our land rights,” Kleman questions.

of the planning commission say they did what was required and sent out notices for the few people who live directly next to where the project would be.

The commission decided to delay any decision for at least 60 days. They want to take a closer look at those concerns, including traffic.

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