Here we go again.

The front page article in the Aiken Standard’s December 7 and 8, 2024 edition declares: “Design board makes Aiken less attractive to developers, Realtor says.” (For added perspective, see the Aiken Standard’s May 25, 2024 editorial column, “Aiken is growing, and that growth should be monitored.”)

Should Aiken cater to developers and rely on them to define Aiken’s vision, or should developers adhere to Aiken’s requirements? Many developers doing business in Aiken are not local; they come and go. The Aiken community does not come and go. Who but the City should set equitable residential and commercial development goals, aspirations, and guidelines throughout the entirety of Aiken’s incorporated area?

Special municipalities will always attract developer interest, enabling the communities to move forward in a way of their choosing. Mediocre municipalities with questionable architectural and zoning practices give substantial leeway to developers; which makes it hard to maintain or enhance a community’s distinctiveness. Does Aiken want to take the high road or the low road?

Rather surprisingly, our community chose not to re-elect an incumbent mayor in November 2023, with the community having considered the actual consequences of doing business as usual in Aiken. It is foolhardy to believe that developer-driven commercial sprawl and the clandestine manner in which some of the City’s related application and approval process takes place, were not factors in the election.

Having worked for a developer, I know they seek to fast-track their projects as quickly and with as little interference from the public as possible. Developers aggressively seek substantial profits, and that is legal. They also seek to minimize risk, which, too, is legal if done in a way that does not violate ordinances and victimize others – especially sitting residents.

Is it a bad thing for developers not to have virtual carte blanche for their projects in Aiken? Could there be benefit in developer perception that Aiken is being selective? Is it wrong not to prefer still more gas stations with convenience stores, car washes, dollar stores, and mattress stores populating the City? While not supporting undue delay of process, if that is what is happening, could it be the Aiken Design Review Board is just doing its job?

Whose community is Aiken, anyway?

Bill Reichardt,
Aiken, SC

Ed. Notes:

— The above letter was also submitted to “The Aiken Standard.”
— The comments in question by a local commercial real estate agent were made at the December 5, 2024 Design Review Board meeting. The commentary began at the 44:30 mark of the livestreamed video.
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