FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – A controversial request to annex a section of land near the Lake Oakdale neighborhood to the City of Florence was pulled from Monday’s city council agenda due to questions of land ownership.
Developer Gary Finklea says he asked the city council to postpone hearing the request as he continues researching who owns the lake bed. Finklea says county records and maps showed that it is owned by The Palms. But when he went to do title research, he found out that it may actually be owned by one of the families that has property in that area.
“This particular area appears to be developed by Mr. Kennedy. And after the lots were sold, the lake was never addressed to anyone in the past 20 or 30 years. So, we’re just going back to make sure that taken care of,” he said.
According to Finklea, the Kennedys are onboard with his vision to build single-family homes in the area. Finklea says the development will continue as planned despite this setback. He says it’s a matter of time but the project will move forward.
He’s working on preparing the groundwork for the subdivision and getting the lots ready for construction. He says he’s also working on getting permits from DHEC and is designing a layout that needs to be approved by the planning commission.
“Development’s not stopping. It’s just, is it going to be annexed and zoned into the city? Or is it going to be developed as is? Right now, it’s in the county and if it’s developed, it’ll be R2 type of houses on one and there will be duplexes on the other.”
Finklea also says the research delay will only affect the possible annexation, not the rezoning. He says he believes annexation will benefit residents in Lake Oakdale because they’ll pay less money for utilities.
“If they’re annexed into the city, they will pay much cheaper tap fee. If your in the county but getting city services, it’s about 500% more expensive so it saves a great deal of money upfront. But it also saves on the monthly water bill,” said Finklea.
It’s unknown at this time when the request will go before city council. It could take anywhere between 30 days and a few months.
