Annexation advances Hartsville apartment project
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Affordable housing options in Hartsville could be increasing, as City Council has approved the annexation of 50 acres for a planned apartment complex.
At their Sep. 10 regular meeting, Council voted unanimously to annex three pieces of property behind Walmart, located just off Hartsville Crossing. The parcels – sized at 6.28, 12, and 31.85 acres – total 50.13 acres.
With this hurdle cleared, the first phase of construction on a 32-unit apartment complex (two buildings with 16 apartments each) could begin in October. Plans for the complex include a parking lot, a clubhouse, and a playground. Fenced detention ponds are planned to contain stormwater runoff.
The complex will be connected to Hartsville Crossing via private road, but developer Josh Thomason of PHLH Hartsville LLC said his group wants to shape up the road and cede ownership to the city, provided the price of repair and extension is not beyond their means.
“We own the road now, and we’re trying to work out what we can do to that road to get it in such a fashion that the city would then take ownership of it and maintenance of it. I think we can get there. I’m just trying to make sure nobody throws a quarter-million dollar number at me… I don’t know how much it’s gonna cost to fix that road,” said Thomason.
City manager Natalie Zeigler noted that although the road issue is not yet settled, it was a completely separate matter from the annexations before Council that evening.
Also on the agenda, Council granted final approval to spend $79,000 on three properties for use in future commercial development. The lots are located at 2205 Robinson Street, on the corner of Marlboro Ave. and Sixth Street, and just behind the Hartsville Police Department.
Council cleared first reading of a measure to transfer .75 acres of city-owned property beside the Hampton Inn on Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue to the Hartsville Development Corporation. The parcel, valued at $25,000, could be used in future Canalside Project ventures.
First reading of an ordinance permitting leasing of city-owned property at 407 Mill Avenue to a Hartsville Police officer received approval. This residency requirement is part of the city’s Community Development Block Grant match for the Oakdale Village Renaissance Grant.
Council also approved contracts for three city services: HVAC services for public buildings will be provided by Johnson’s Refrigeration; electrical services will be provided by Kelly’s Electrical Services, LLC; uniform services will be provided by Cintas.
