May 2021: Council Approves 10-Year Duke Energy Agreement, Starts Annexing Eight Parcels on West Georgia Street
In May 2021 council approved a 10-year municipal agreement giving Duke Energy right-of-way access in exchange for a 5% franchise fee, began annexing eight West Georgia St parcels for a planned housing development, and paused a Mills Mill playground over asbestos costs.
The Woodruff Times reported on May 25, 2021 on the latest Woodruff City Council meeting.
On second reading, council unanimously approved a 10-year municipal service agreement with Duke Energy. It lets the utility use city rights-of-way to repair and run lines and do routine maintenance on city streets without separate approval each time. In return the city receives a 5 percent franchise fee on Duke's gross sales inside the city limits, in line with other Upstate towns and the city's previous agreement.
Council also unanimously approved six items for one proposed project: accepting annexation petitions for a parcel on West Georgia Street and seven neighboring parcels, plus first readings of the annexation ordinance and the zoning request. City Manager Lee Bailey said the land was under contract to a developer planning homes there. The parcels were handled in two petitions because they had two different owners.
Bailey also updated council on redeveloping part of the former Mills Mill property. Bids to tear down the church building on the grounds and build a playground came in higher than expected because asbestos must be safely removed first. Staff planned to ask to shift the federal grant funding toward demolition and abatement, and the playground was put on hold until more money is found.
Read the full report at The Woodruff Times (link below).