Western York County residents share concerns about growth

Western York County residents shared their concerns about growth Thursday. A common refrain was maintaining the area’s unique character.

York County’s planning department is updating its comprehensive plan. About 20 people attended a drop-in at York’s Harold C. Johnson Elementary School.

The York meeting was one of four across York County in the past week. Three others were held in Rock Hill, the Clover/Lake Wylie area and in Fort Mill.

Gary Gross of York, who attended with his wife, Paula Jo Gross, said he is concerned about preserving and protecting downtown areas, including York.

Gross and others fought for the preservation of York’s downtown courthouse and to keep a county office building downtown. He is active in the Yorkville Historical Society.

Betsy Johnson, a member of the new Bethany Community Association, said group members “would like to see safe, good-paying opportunities for work. We are opposed to pollution and dangerous jobs.”

Johnson said the open house was “a good opportunity to stay in the loop” about county progress. “I want to know all I can as far as planning and development,” she said.

The county is seeking input on the need for infrastructure, how growth should shape the county’s future and what moves the York County Council can take to ensure that what people enjoy about the county stays here.

Another topic discussed was how to position York County for continued economic success.

Many people wrote comments about road issues on yellow sticky notes that were attached to a county map. The comments concerned sidewalks, the county’s Pennies for Progress road program and mass transit.

But York resident John Eakin said he’s concerned about parks and green space. “It’s something that appeals to everyone, preserving space for nature,” Eakin said.

York City Council member John Shiflet said he came to stay educated. He said managed growth is important, but he also said the county and the cities within it need to work together.

“I am a great proponent of the York County comprehensive plan being done in conjunction with the municipalities,” Shiflet said.

Billy Hagner, who lives off Allison Creek Road on Lake Wylie, said he is concerned about plans for hundreds more homes on the peninsula where he lives.

Hagner, who lives within a 2-mile radius of the Catawba Nuclear Station, said he’s concerned about the impact of greater housing density on evacuation plans in the event of a nuclear emergency.

He’s also concerned about environmental issues, such as clear-cutting development, and the traffic impact on the only road that provides access to his neighborhood.

Allison C. Love, a transportation planner for York County, said she has been pleased with the volume and variety of input that has been submitted.

Love said the York meeting drew a smaller crowd, probably because its facing less growth pressure. More than 100 people attended the Clover/Lake Wylie meeting, while about 75 showed up in Fort Mill and 65 in Rock Hill.

Love said top concerns include road work not keeping up with the rate of growth, the need for sidewalks and bike paths, and the need for faster movement on projects under Pennies for Progress.

Staff members said the new comprehensive plan will be a guide for future decisions. It won’t be regulatory, and planners say they can’t restrict existing property rights. If a property comes for rezoning, though, public input and a comprehensive plan can steer a decision.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Western York County residents share concerns about growth."