COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County Council members were busy Tuesday evening, as they received updates about various projects from throughout the county, before hosting their monthly zoning meeting.
The council’s administration and finance committee met first and listened as staff provided updates on several important initiatives happening across the county.
Council members were happy to approve a new mobile waste shredder that can shred mattresses, saving room at the landfill and leading to less trash disposed of along the roadside.
District 11 Councilwoman Chakisse Newton hoped use of the new shredder would lead to fewer mattresses discarded on the side of the road.
“If you are a Richland County customer, we will come out and take your mattress. You don’t have to go out in the dead of night, like Shady McShadkins and throw it somewhere. We will come and get it for you with an appointment,” Newton told those in attendance.
Committee members also received an update on plans for the county to use space at Columbia Place Mall. A new 9-1-1 dispatch center, offices for both the election commission and the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as a family services center are slated for the site.
Assistant county administrator Lori Thomas addressed the project.
“We’re happy to say that currently all of those projects are underway. We anticipate construction of the family services center to take just under two years. We will be occupying that facility sometime late 2026,” Thomas said.
At 7:00, the council met for their monthly public hearing on zoning.
While many of the seats in the chamber were full, a good number of residents left the meeting after it was announced that a decision on several of the largest projects would be deferred to later hearings. Several requests were considered and approved, including a church with plans to build a daycare, and a group that want to renovate an old motel on garner lane.
The biggest decision of the evening centered around a proposed rezoning of 10 acres near Bluff Road in Lower Richland.
Rory Washington lives near the proposed development and explained her position.
“I’m all for progress, but not to the point where it’s going to disrupt the daily lives of our families that reside in the neighborhood. So, I ask that you look at this and vote no on this today,” Washington implored the council.
Cheryl English, who represents Richland District 10 sided with her constituents.
“They are against, not so much the development, but the increased density that has the potential to grow there. So, at this time, I recommend disapproval,” English told her fellow council members.
Ultimately the council rejected the request for the Bluff Road rezoning.