Good evening Mr Mayor. My name is Mary Camlet- Agresta. I live on Ascot Drive in Aiken. 

Aiken. It all seems to look like a quaint little city. It is growing quickly with little time in between to look at the big picture. As stated in the Aiken Standard, a 2022 traffic study was conducted by the city of Aiken’s traffic consultant. Whiskey Road is 17% over its intended capacity, and by now, one year later, I’m sure it has risen again. I have a copy of that. Could it be because many Concept plans are passed without proper assessment of the site’s location, traffic and proximity to another very familiar already established business? 

Example  Mattress Man — 1557 Whiskey Road. This new Sleep Number — 1490 Whiskey Road. Mattress Firm II — 1965 Whiskey Road. Mattress Firm I — 2424 Whiskey Road. The new Mattress Warehouse — 2560 Whiskey Road, 450 feet away from Mattress Firm I. Besides the fact that Badcock and Furniture Outlet and Aiken Furniture also sell mattresses, and they are on Whiskey Road. I hope you all acknowledge that eight is definitely enough. So next time, please say no. 

The same scenario for supermarkets and restaurants all on Whiskey Road. What I and others do not see and hope to see one day is a store we can appreciate having. We used to have a mall. Now it looks like only two food places are coming so far I would love to see a Macy’s or some other department store. We have to travel to Augusta to go shopping. Although downtown is wonderful with their very unique small stores, let’s be more imaginative. Something to think about. 

Now let’s focus on yet another issue on Whiskey Road. The Lulu’s Car Wash does not belong there. Somehow the ordinance did not stop anyone — the one that states no car washes, no gas stations, no cleaners, and no bars. And then there are three other parcels semi-untouched by the tree removal companies, where three subdivisions are tucked away behind their spectacular landscape. We asked the city to purchase the parcels, as I mentioned at the last meeting, and trust them to the South Carolina Land Conservancy to guarantee all the neighboring properties and citizens that travel on Whiskey Road peace of mind, leaving us to love and admire the landscapes. Thank you. 

Mary Camlet-Agresta is a City of Aiken resident. She recently assisted in two successful efforts to prevent more questionable developments from Dougherty Road to Whiskey Road, including the controversial 24-hour Parker’s Kitchen gas station/convenience store at Whiskey and Stratford Road. She has a new podcast called The Aiken Connection, and is a member of Takin’ Aiken.

(Her speech to City Council begins at the 21 minute mark.)

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