Easley Planning and Zoning Approves Annexation

The Easley Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the annexation of a residential property on Saco-Lowell Road on June 20. The matter will now wait for consideration by City Council and the general public.

The property at 815 Saco-Lowell Road in Easley is currently under consideration for annexation by the city of Easley. The 3.22 acre property is currently owned by long-time resident Olin Benjamin.

"We have not had any phone calls for or against," said Easley Building Official Tommy Holcombe. Holcombe explained that the property would be consistent with the general commercial zoning of properties adjacent to it.

No official plans have been made for the property at this point, however Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina is interested in building a new facility in Easley.

"We want to build a building from the ground up there, about  [a 16,000-square-foot] facility," DeLoach said.

The new facility would house a donation drop-off center and a Goodwill Job Connection center.

"We haven't been able to put in a Job Connection yet, we don't have enough space," DeLoach said of the current Goodwill store on Calhoun Memorial Highway in Easley. 

There are currently 13 Goodwill Job Connection locations in the Upstate, according to their website.

"We will have put 6,000 people back to work this year," DeLoach said.

If the annexation of Benjamin's property is approved by City Council, Goodwill would plan on beginning construction on the new facility in approximately two years according to DeLoach.

City Council will first review the proposed annexation on July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Easley Law Enforcement Center. The matter will be considered for final approval on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Easley Law Enforcement Center. City officials encourage all residents to attend the meeting.