BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — Scout Motors plans to open a $2 billion manufacturing plant in Blythewood on approximately 1600 acres. Now, a zoning request has come from the Blythewood Planning Commission to transform 290 acres of the lot to railroad tracks, leaving people with mixed reviews in the community.
"It's an absolute nightmare," said lifelong Blythewood resident Jerry Enlow. "My concern with this railroad aspect of SCOUT being immediately adjacent to us is of course noise."
Enlow is just one of many in the Ashley Oaks neighborhood that is frustrated with the new zoning request, which places the tracks right next to their homes.
"My friends live in Ashley Oaks One, which is the one that will be the most impacted by that development, and I feel bad," said resident Bobbi Young. "They've been working hard to pay their house down so they could have a happy retirement, and I also feel bad for the animals."
We spoke with the Director of Economic Development for Richland County Jeff Ruble, who says an area for rail is a must for Scout.
"Part of Scout Motors' requirement was to have rail at that site," Ruble said. "The county is in the process of purchasing about 290 acres, and with that is the requirement that it be rezoned in order to bring a rail spur in."
While many oppose the proposed railroad track, some think it's a good idea.
"I think they are doing to do everything they can do. They want to be good neighbors," said former Blythewood mayor Mike Ross. "It is not in my own backyard, you don't want it, but it's probably going to come and hopefully, we can all get along with it, and they can be a good asset to Blythewood."
To make sure the noise isn't too loud, Ruble said the county will conduct a study, which will give them a better idea of what changes need to be made.
"We're hoping to use that as instruction or guidance on how to best evade any problems," Ruble said. "We think we have identified some paths forward, but we want to explore that further with data."
In order for this zoning change to occur, Blythewood Town Council has to approve it. There has been no set date for when it will face reading.
Blythewood Town Council will hold a public notice hearing on April 24th at 6 pm at Doko Manor.