Irmo Residents Petition for Increase in New Park's Buffer Size

A group of Irmo residents have banded together to start a petition calling for an increase in the buffer zone between the town's new park and residents' backyards.

Akin Watson lives near the new park that will be located on 14 acres of land on Eastview Drive.

Watson started an online petition requesting a 100-foot buffer between the park and residents' property on Eastview Drive, Doncaster Drive and Church Street. 

As of Thursday, 21 people signed the petition. 

Watson is one of several people in the community concerned about safety, privacy, noise levels, and the budget to build and maintain the park.

The new park will be the permanent home for the Okra Strut Festival. Council also wants the park to be used for other activities including concerts, meetings, or other community events throughout the year.

 Those features were included on a "wish list" of what council would like the park to house. 

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In August,  between where structures and walking trails would be located relative to residential properties until they were able to meet with the design consultant to review a revised plan. 

At a workshop last week, Morgan Grimball of Grimball-Cotterill & Associates, presented a revised park design after hearing suggestions from council members and concerns from residents living next to the park.

Grimball said the buffer is 50 or 80 feet wide in some areas on the current design.

For some residents, however, a 100-foot natural buffer all around the park would be better. 

Watson said he did see the revised plan at the workshop and is happy with the revisions but the buffer size still remains a top concern. 

"Otherwise, I think this park is a much better idea than having a property developer come and clear cut the whole area to build apartments or residences," Watson said. "I just want our town council to consider residents' safety, privacy, and to keep the area as beautiful and natural as possible." 

"I'm a supporter of the park as long as it's done in conjunction with our needs, and not just the egos of the town council. Also, this park has the potential to cost everyone a lot of money, and we all definitely don't want to experience a tax increase to fund a poorly planned and used park."

Grimball said at the workshop that the new park design would be less than $2 million but more than $500,000. 

Councilman Harvey Hoots said he doesn't think a 100-foot buffer is necessary and is happy with the proposed size. 

Hoots said he thought Grimball did an outstanding job on the design of the park and is very pleased with it.

Councilwoman Kathy Condom and Mayor Hardy King both supported increasing the buffer to 50 foot at a previous meeting but that motion failed to pass. 

Counci's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 18. Members are expected to approve the changes to the design.

Watson said he's trying to collect as many signatures as possible by Tuesday. 

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