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Published: Tuesday, Nov. 06, 2012 / Updated: Monday, Nov. 05, 2012 10:49 AM

Public meeting Nov. 8 to talk long-range plans for Lake Wylie

Public invited to give feedback at Thursday meeting

LAKE WYLIE -- 

Lake Wylie residents get another, and perhaps final, chance on Thursday to input ideas for a county land use plan that should help shape the area’s future.

County planning staff has a public meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Oakridge Middle School cafeteria. They’ll present a draft land use plan, based on prior public meetings, and ask for one last round of feedback.

“We are nearing the final stages of the plan-making process, and following the community workshop we will determine if additional public workshops are necessary and identify a formal timeframe for adoption,” said planner Alison Rowland.

Several months of meetings and an online survey to this point were aimed at finding the best ways to use developable land in Lake Wylie and setting standards for existing properties.

At the most recent August meeting, conversation was dominated by what colors and signs should be allowed for commercial properties. The talk was sparked mainly by the green and yellow Automoney Title Loans office that opened on S.C. 49 just before that meeting.

Members of the York County Council have heard the issues brought up by Lake Wylie residents, even shooting down an ordinance that would have allowed for set color standards for businesses along S.C. 49.

The goal of a final plan is to steer the council on future decisions, based on what residents and staff agree is appropriate.

Lake Wylie resident David McCorkle is a member of the county planning commission. Issues like what’s allowed of business signs and how variances can allow for others need to be addressed, he said.

Long-range planning, he said, will require many voices from the area if it’s to be heard by the council.

“We will not be able to have any of the recommendations on the long-range plan approved unless we really group together,” McCorkle said.

Staff says there could be additional public meetings following the one Thursday, but that community members can stay involved either way by signing in to receive email notifications or other alerts on what’s being done.

The draft plan also should be posted to the planning department link on yorkcountygov.com.