Granite Countertops in Holly Hill, SC

Orangeburg County Council on Tuesday unanimously tabled a request to rezone property outside of Holly Hill to allow for the placement of a boat, recreational vehicle and equipment storage facility.

The property owner asked the county to rezone about 3.71 acres on Eutaw Road in Holly Hill from forest agriculture to rural community to allow the storage facility. The property is located near Garrett's Body Shop and Auto.

Council tabled the matter to allow county staff to do further research after hearing concerns about the request from town officials.

“The town of Holly Hill for years has taken a back seat in the community,” Mayor Billy Chavis said. “And now is our time to come to the front. We have five neighborhoods coming to that area. All of those neighborhoods are going to have HOAs (home owners associations) involved.”

Chavis said the storage facility will not fit in with the neighborhoods that are planned.

“That outdoor storage is going to be able to have whatever they want to have,” Chavis said. “In five or ten years, we can potentially have an eyesore in the community. The town of Holly Hill deserves better because we are annexing all those properties into the town of Holly Hill as we speak.”

Rebecca Vance, a consultant and planner for the town of Holly Hill, echoed Chavis’ concerns.

Vance noted there is a plan to build 74 single-family homes across the street from the property and a plan for over 390 single-family homes adjacent to the property.

Annexation of the 390-home project has already received first reading, Vance said. The annexation has been recommended for approval by the Holly Hill Planning Commission.

“Although we understand there may be a need for self-storage at some point, we just don't think an open-air outdoor storage with gravel parking ... is going to necessarily be conducive or be an asset to the community with single-family housing,” Vance said.

The Orangeburg County Planning Commission approved the rezoning during its Dec. 14 meeting, but the town of Holly Hill was unaware of the rezoning request at the time of the commission’s meeting.

In other business:

• Harvey Elwood, operator of WOCS 93.7 FM in Orangeburg, said the station is about to start its own television network that will cover Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties.

Elwood said the station has received about $1 million in mostly federal funds to help make the network a possibility.

He said the county has also contributed some funds.

The station will carry sports, news and weather.

• Council gave unanimous second reading to incentives for an unidentified company planning to invest $70 million in the county for the construction of a solar storage facility.

There will be no new jobs as a result of the project. There will be construction jobs and maintenance jobs.

The company is being identified at the time being as Project May. A company's identity typically remains anonymous until third and final reading is given.

Solar storage refers to technologies that can capture electricity, store it as another form of energy, and then release it for use when it is needed, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Storage helps solar contribute to the electricity supply even when the sun isn’t shining.

The project incentives include fee-in-lieu of taxes as well as special-source revenue credits. The incentives are designed to reduce the property taxes the industry will have to pay.

Council also gave unanimous first reading by title only to an ordinance placing the project into a multicounty industrial park with Dorchester County.

• Council unanimously passed resolutions approving a fee-in-lieu agreement between three landowners and two solar farms.

The agreements were made with Orangeburg County Solar Project LLC and Supersod Real Property Holdings, LLC for a farm near Bowman and Homestead Road.

The agreement was also made with Orangeburg South Solar Project LLC and R & R Poultry Farms, Inc. and Myers Family Holdings LLC, also near Bowman on Vance Road.

• Orangeburg resident William Green requested council address individuals in the county who do not take care of their rental properties.

“I think you should be held accountable for what your renters are doing on your property,” Green said. “They are coming into our neighborhoods, trashing neighborhoods.”

“We have people bringing 18-wheelers,” Green continued. “I mean 18-wheeler trucks through neighborhoods on residential streets and they are not supposed to be there because streets are not built for that.

“That is what highways are built for. No one is holding these property owners accountable for what their renters are doing.”

The town of Eutawville currently does not have its own sewage and uses a septic tank system.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The town of Holly Hill is entering into a shared agreement with the town of Eutawville to share sewage costs.

The plan would allow Holly Hill to run sewage pipes from Eutawville along Eutaw Road into the town of Holly Hill and treat its sewer system.

“It’s a game changer for eastern Orangeburg County," said Holly Hill Mayor Billy Chavis.

Chavis says this partnership will help prepare both towns for growth coming to Eastern Orangeburg County, by increasing its sewage capacity.

RELATED: New annexation in Holly Hill to bring 74 homes to town limits

“It made sense for us to at least reach out and get down to the bare bones of this agreement see if its once again financially feasible for us to give sewer to them so that Eutawville can express the same growth that Holly Hill’s gonna have," said Chavis.

The town of Eutawville currently does not have its own sewage and uses a septic tank system. Eutawville resident Melissa Garing says she would prefer to keep things how they are.

“I’m against it simply because we live in a small town. I like the small town feel, I like my well water. Septic tank is kind of a pain when you have to pump it out but it’s a small price to pay for not having so much growth and so much city life around us," said Garing.

It will be equally funded by both towns' general funds. Currently, the town of Holly Hill is under a one-year short term utility agreement with Envirolink. By the first quarter of next year, Mayor Chavis is hoping the town will receive South Carolina Infrastructure Improvement Funding to decide their next steps.

RELATED: SC town looks to make agreement with NC based utility company

Eutawville resident Jerry Robertson says he moved from Charleston seven years ago to escape urban development.

“The cost of a sewer plant is gonna take our valuable farmland which is currently growing food, textiles, lumber, soy products, it’s gonna take that farmland and it’s gonna turn it into subdivisions, it’s gonna get paved over, and built over," said Robertson.

American Engineering Consultants, LLC will conduct a feasibility study by the end of the month. This will determine how both towns will proceed with this partnership.

Residents urge those who want to preserve the golf course to show their support at the next council meeting on September 6.

HOLLY HILL, S.C. — Orangeburg County Council is advancing a request to rezone the Holly Hill golf course into a residential subdivision. Some residents are in opposition to this proposed development.

“This whole community plays golf there and we have members from across the state. I hate to see that gone just for the sake of building houses," said resident Sam Chance.

The council had its second reading of the rezoning ordinance at its August 15 meeting.

RELATED: Orangeburg County considering request to rezone Holly Hill Golf Course

Chance has been golfing at the Holly Hill Golf Course for more than 15 years. He says the course has a long-standing history in Holly Hill. According to Chance, it was built in 1957 by local farmers. Over the years, it became a local landmark for recreation and community.

“We had a group of 25-30 people show up twice a week to play golf on the golf course and we had a great time," said Chance.

Chance says he was golfing at the course the day it unexpectedly closed in July.

“They fired the workers, the employees of the golf course at the same time with no notice and as far as I know today nobody has been reimbursed for dues and the employees who had been fired had not been paid," he said.

Some residents say the request to build 106 homes on the property is something that could create traffic issues along Old State Road and deprive the town of a major tourist attraction.

RELATED: New annexation in Holly Hill to bring 74 homes to town limits

“There’s subdivisions being built all over so why take away the one draw that those people would have that would be moving into that subdivision, why take away the only draw in recreation that’s here for them," said Sam's wife Susie Chance.

They encourage residents who want to preserve the golf course to show their support at the next Orangeburg County council meeting on September 6.

“The people who have been in Holly Hill all of their lives. I would hope would show up and help support the golf course. That’s out of our hands. Could only ask," said Chance.

The September 6 meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Orangeburg County Council Chambers. People who would like to take part in the public input are encouraged to arrive early.

A Holly Hill man pleaded guilty to a drug charge during a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Jordan Tyrek David Walters, 25, of 739 Gabby Hall Court, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

Circuit Judge R. Ferrell Cothran Jr. sentenced Walters to three years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

He also ordered Walters to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

In other pleas:

• Breuna Valencia Davene, 26, of 1144 Toney Bay Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery.

She was originally charged with second-degree assault and battery by mob but pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery instead.

Cothran sentenced her to three years in prison, suspended to five years of probation and restitution.

• Billy Jo Williams, 60, of 1517 Silversprings Road, Neeses, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine or cocaine base.

Williams was originally charged with first-offense distribution of methamphetamine but pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine or cocaine base instead.

Cothran sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to one year of probation. He gave him credit for having already served three days in prison.

Prosecutors dismissed Williams’ charges of temporary license plate time limit to replace, first-offense DUS license not suspended for DUI, first-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee violation and use of license plate other than for vehicle which issued.

• Jordan Malik Williams, 24, of 126 Oakmont Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to stop for blue lights and grand larceny valued at $10,000 or more.

Cothran sentenced Williams under the Youthful Offender Act to six years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

He also ordered Williams to take medications as prescribed.

Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: breaking into motor vehicle, first-offense possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

• Kendrell Demontra Williams, 24, of 105 Durham Street, Cordova, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol.

Cothran sentenced Williams under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed one year, suspended to six months of probation.

Prosecutors dismissed Williams’ charge of possession with intent to distribute drugs within proximity of a school.

• Jamarris Dyquan Benjamin, 21, of 110 Big Phils Court, Santee, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

Cothran sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to three years of probation.

• Justin Lamar Berry, 34, of 796 Edisto Avenue Apt. A, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol, identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement and first-offense possession of a controlled substance.

Cothran sentenced him to six months in prison. He was given credit for having already served 80 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

Prosecutors dismissed Berry’s charge of second-degree DUS license not suspended for DUI.

• Kelly Wertz Blume, 50, of 3770 Bochette Boulevard, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to injury to real property to obtain nonferrous metals with damage valued less than $5,000.

Cothran sentenced him to 18 months in prison and gave him credit for having already served 338 days in jail.

• Brandon Shaquan Bradley, 33, of 940 Chitwood Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin, morphine etc. more than 14 grams but less than 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony.

Cothran sentenced him to prison for five years, suspended to four years of probation.

He gave Bradley credit for having already served two days in jail.

He also ordered Bradley to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

The Orangeburg County Office of Emergency Services says the eastern part of the county was hardest hit due to low lines and residents are left picking up the pieces.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — It’s the calm after the storm in Holly Hill following Ian. According to the Orangeburg County Office of Emergency Services, the eastern part of the county was hardest hit due to lowlines and residents are left picking up the pieces.

“I think we’re blessed and just glad everyone’s okay and our house is okay, yeah,” said Holly Hill resident Karsyn Smoak.

Downed trees all over Holly Hill were caused by heavy rain and strong winds. Residents say they’re grateful for their family’s safety.

“I’m just concerned for all the people that are, you know, might have a bunch of trees like big trees, or like, maybe hit their house or something, just concerned about that,” said resident Dylan Rivera.

One tree fell outside a Holly Hill home and split into pieces, becoming tangled in power lines. Tommy Burks has lived in the home for sixteen years and experienced six hurricanes.

RELATED: "We don’t know if our home is still there," Hurricane evacuees flee to Orangeburg County

“We had a tornado that come right over the house in the past and it took the top out of the tree so we had some bad weather around here,” said Burks.

A fallen tree from Ian blocking his driveway.

“My sister came over to stay with us and she was gonna park her car on the driveway right there and we decided to move it to the front of the house and I’m glad we did because it would’ve got crushed if she would’ve had it sitting there so,” he said.

RELATED: Ian lashes South Carolina as Florida death toll rises

Residents are now left counting their blessings.

“It definitely could’ve been a lot worse and just thinking about the people in Florida and what they’re going through,” said Smoak.

“Pray for Florida,” said resident Jackson Buck.

Crews are working to restore power to the homes affected throughout the county.