Aiken Planning Commission pushed the Edgefield Highway Corridor Planning Study forward in a unanimous recommendation Tuesday night.
All members supported the study, with the exception of members Kent Cubbage and John McMichael who were not present. The study is several years old, and came from a partnership between the City of Aiken and Aiken County. The Study encompasses 11 miles of Edgefield Highway between Hampton Avenue and the Edgefield County line, which at points functions as an urban road, an industrial road, a rural road, a truck route, a freeway interchange or a biking and walking route.
- The purpose of the study is to create a "vision" for the Edgefield Highway corridor that builds on the Northside Comprehensive Study, the Northside Transportation Plan and the 1991 S.C. Department of Highways and Public Transportation report on the widening of SC-19, according to the plan.
- The study included numerous public input sessions, City and Aiken County staff input as well as a steering committee of volunteers from the community.
- Recommendations included making adding travel, bicycle and sidewalks, an Aiken entrance sign and promotion of green space and public areas.
- Potential sources of income for the study includes Capital Project Sales Tax, state grants, private funding and S.C. Department of Transportation funding.
- David Kjellquist, the vice chairman of the Aiken County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, asked the Commission whether the urban portion - from Hampton Avenue to University Parkway and Rutland Drive - included sidewalks and bicycle facilities. Commission Chair Liz Stewart said that portion would include sidewalks and shared use lanes for both cyclists and motorists.
In other business, the Commission unanimously recommended a concept plan for expansion of the Hollow Creek Reserve Club's clubhouse, 3000 Reserve Club Drive. The recommended plan, from applicant Woodside Golf LLC, expands the clubhouse by about 12,000 square feet, increasing the building size from about 9,000 square feet to about 22,000 square feet. In addition, 99 parking spaces will be included with the expansion on the western side of the building.
Aiken City Council will hear both of the recommendations on first reading at their Monday, March 23 regular meeting.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard.