UNION COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040
A SHARED VISION FOR OUR TOMORROW
JANUARY 26, 2021 DRAFT ADOPTED (INSERT DATE)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1 1
This page left blank intentionally.
22 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...... 9
CHAPTER 2 THE VISION...... 17
CHAPTER 3 POPULATION...... 23
CHAPTER 4 LAND USE...... 31
CHAPTER 5 TRANSPORTATION...... 43
CHAPTER 6 HOUSING...... 55
CHAPTER 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT...... 63
CHAPTER 8 CULTURAL RESOURCES...... 85
CHAPTER 9 NATURAL RESOURCES...... 93
CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY FACILITIES...... 107
CHAPTER 11 HEALTH...... 113
CHAPTER 12 EDUCATION...... 125
CHAPTER 13 PRIORITY INVESTMENT...... 139
APPENDIX A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT...... 143
APPENDIX B EXISTING CONDITIONS...... 183
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3 3 FIGURES
FIGURE 1.1 PLANNING CONTEXT...... 13
FIGURE 1.2 PLANNING AREA...... 14
FIGURE 2.1 VISION 2040 PLAN...... 21
FIGURE 3.1 2050 POPULATION ESTIMATE...... 24
FIGURE 3.2 2017 AGE CLASSIFICATIONS...... 26
FIGURE 3.3 2017 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND PER CAPITA INCOME...... 27
FIGURE 4.1 DEVELOPMENT STATUS...... 33
FIGURE 4.2 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN...... 35
FIGURE 5.1 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS PLAN...... 47
FIGURE 5.2 FREIGHT MOBILITY PLAN...... 49
FIGURE 5.3 WALKABLE UNION PEDESTRIAN PLAN...... 51
FIGURE 6.1 UNION COUNTY VACANCY RATES...... 57
FIGURE 6.2 YEAR HOUSING STRUCTURE BUILT...... 59
FIGURE 7.1 REGIONAL JOB GROWTH TRENDS...... 65
FIGURE 7.2 COMMUTER SHED PATTERNS...... 66
FIGURE 7.3 BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE - RESIDENTIAL...... 69
FIGURE 7.4 BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE - BUSINESS...... 69
FIGURE 7.5 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN...... 71
FIGURE 7.6 TRAKAS INDUSTRIAL PARK...... 72
FIGURE 7.7 MIDWAY GREEN INDUSTRIAL PARK...... 74
FIGURE 7.8 CUDD INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY...... 76
44 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FIGURES
FIGURE 7.9 MAC JOHNSON INDUSTRIAL PARK...... 78
FIGURE 7.10 UNION COMMERCE PARK...... 80
FIGURE 8.1 CULTURAL RESOURCES PLAN...... 89
FIGURE 9.1 TRAILS, PARKS, AND BLUEWAYS CORRIDORS PLAN...... 96
FIGURE 9.2 HABITAT CORRIDORS...... 99
FIGURE 9.3 PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS...... 101
FIGURE 9.4 RIPARIAN BUFFERS...... 102
FIGURE 9.5 AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY...... 103
FIGURE 9.6 ANIMAL FARMS...... 104
FIGURE 11.1 ACTIVE LIVING...... 117
FIGURE 11.2 FOOD DESERT...... 119
FIGURE 11.3 LOCKHART FLAT STACK TRAIL...... 121
FIGURE 12.1 2017 EDUCATION ATTAINMENT POPULATION 25 YEARS AND OVER...... 127
FIGURE 12.2 UNION COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARY PLAN...... 129
FIGURE 12.3 INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING...... 130
FIGURE A.1-A.24 COMMUNITY SURVEY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES...... 169-182
FIGURE B.1 POPULATION...... 184
FIGURE B.2 EXISTING LAND USE...... 186
FIGURE B.3 FUNCTIONAL CLASS AND TRAFFIC COUNT...... 188
FIGURE B.4 HOUSING DENSITY...... 190
FIGURE B.5 HOUSING TYPE...... 191
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5 5 FIGURES
FIGURE B.6 SOILS...... 200
FIGURE B.7 WATERSHEDS...... 205
FIGURE B.8 UPLAND HARDWOOD BIRDS...... 208
FIGURE B.9 RESILIENT BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS...... 209
FIGURE B.10 CRITICAL WATERSHED AREAS...... 210
FIGURE B.11 CRITICAL LANDS MAP...... 211
FIGURE B.12 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN / INSET...... 216-217
FIGURE B 13 WATER SERVICE AREA...... 218
FIGURE B.14 SEWER SERVICE AREA...... 219 TABLES TABLE 3.1 AGE COHORTS 2000, 2010, AND 2017...... 25
TABLE 4.1 DEVELOPMENT STATUS...... 32
TABLE 4.2 FUTURE LAND USE STATUS...... 34
TABLE 5.1 FUNDED CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS...... 45
TABLE 6.1 HOUSING INVENTORY BY TENURE...... 56
TABLE 6.2 JURISDICTIONS AND COMMUNITIES...... 58
TABLE 7.1 UNION COUNTY OCCUPATIONS...... 64
TABLE 7.2 AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE BY INDUSTRY...... 66
TABLE 7.3 TOTAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR TROY SHELTON FIELD...... 68
TABLE 7.4 OPPORTUNITY ZONE DATA...... 69
TABLE 7.5 BROADBAND SERVICE PROVIDERS...... 70
66 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TABLES
TABLE 8.1 NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES...... 87
TABLE 9.1 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES...... 98
TABLE 10.1 PLANNED COUNTY FACILITIES AND PROJECTS...... 110
TABLE 10.2 PLANNED SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES AND PROJECTS...... 111
TABLE 11.1 OUTDOOR AMENITIES...... 116
TABLE B.1 POPULATION CHANGE BETWEEN 2000 - 2010...... 185
TABLE B.2 EXISTING LAND USE...... 187
TABLE B.3 LOAN PROGRAMS...... 193
TABLE B.4 UNION COUNTY EMPLOYERS - PRIVATE...... 194
TABLE B.5 UNION COUNTY EMPLOYERS - PUBLIC...... 195
TABLE B.6 RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES...... 212
TABLE B.7 RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED PLANTS...... 212
TABLE B.8 SHERIFF’S OFFICE 2018 STATISTICS...... 220
TABLE B.9 CRIME STOPPERS...... 220
TABLE B.10 DISPATCH CENTER CALLS FOR SERVICE...... 221
TABLE B.11 NARCOTICS...... 221
TABLE B.12 FIRE DISTRICT DATA...... 222
TABLE B.13 FIRE DISTRICT FLEET DATA ...... 222
TABLE B.14 SCHOOL CAPACITY...... 223
TABLE B.15 HAZARD PROBABILITY CHART (1960 - 2009)...... 225
TABLE B.16 UNION COUNTY HEALTH DATA ...... 226-227
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7 7
This page left blank intentionally.
88 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 14 LAND USE INTRODUCTION
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9 9 CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN A Comprehensive Plan is a local document which describes the vision for guiding growth in a community. Citizen involvement is important for developing the Comprehensive Plan, as community values are identified and the goals and strategies for future development are established. The Comprehensive Plan balances the social, economic, and environmental needs of the County.
Planning is a process for residents, businesses, and civic leaders to envision their future and create communities that enhance the lives of all. This plan includes a vision and a set of strategies to address opportunities that exist currently and future opportunities as they emerge. The plan also includes an implementation guide with actions that residents, businesses, and government can take to advance the strategies needed to achieve Union County’s vision. The plan addresses a variety of topics such as transportation, economic development, land use, housing, population, natural resources, cultural resources, community facilities, health, education, and priority investment.
PURPOSE The South Carolina Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 requires local governments to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan every 10 years and review and update their plan every five years. Nine elements are required and include: population, land use, transportation, housing, economic development, cultural resources, natural resources, community facilities, and priority investment. Union County chose to include the two additional elements that are important for Union County which are health and education.
BEAUTIFICATION PLANTING CALHOUN EXPERIMENTAL FOREST Photo by Union County Tourism. Soil and water research location since 1947. Photo by the U.S. Forest Service.
1010 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
TIIMKEN SUMTER NATIONAL FOREST Photo by Union County Development Board. Photo by the U.S. Forest Service.
While Union County has developed several community strategic plans, the County has not previously adopted a Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the South Carolina Enabling Act of 1994. Some of the previously developed plans include Connect Our Future, Union County, SC 2014; Lockhart, SC Community Vision Plan, 2013; Union Economic Development Charrette Report, 2005; Vision Union, 2004; and the Land Use Plan, 1994. Many of the planning principles from the previous work are incorporated in the Union County Comprehensive Plan in various elements.
An effective Comprehensive Plan helps to ensure that Union County will develop and grow in a way that reflects local values and achieves goals for the desired future. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to also consider costs of development and how capital improvements will be achieved. The Comprehensive Plan should define a clear vision for the future and state goals and strategies that improve the quality of life, protect private property rights, encourage economic development, foster housing development, and protect natural resources.
An adopted plan becomes a reality when the plan is supported by LAND USE PLAN Union County and led by local officials and stakeholders committed to A twenty-year land use plan developed in 1994 for growth in its implementation. An effective plan with collaboration, new funding the unincorporated areas of Union County. sources, and private investment is more likely to be successful.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 11 11 CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
THE PLANNING AREA Union County is located between growing regions in the upstate of South Carolina in the Northern Piedmont section and the planning area is shown in Figure 1.1 Planning Context. Union County is approximately 500 square miles and is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Columbia, approximately 30 miles southeast of Spartanburg, and approximately 70 miles southwest of Charlotte.
Although Union County is located between growing regions, Union County is a rural county and has experienced a slight decline in population. The 2018 population estimate of Union County is 28,164, down from the 2010 population of 28,961 and the 2000 population of 29,881. CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT Focus Group meeting on June 20, 2017 at Main Street Rivers border Union County along three boundaries. Union County is Junction Building (image above), County Council Chair Hart bordered by the Pacelot River to the north, the Broad River to the east, welcomes everyone (middle image), and the August 29, 2017 and the Enoree and Tyger Rivers to the south. The Tyger River flows into Focus Group meeting (bottom image). the Broad River along the southeastern border. The Enoree River is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in South Carolina.
The Sumter National Forest, designated in 1936, is located in the southern and southeast portions of Union County. The Forest Service promotes public and private partnerships to protect the health, diversity, and productivity of the national forest lands.
The four communities that are incorporated in Union County are the City of Union, Jonesville, Lockhart, and Carlisle. The majority of residents live within the municipalities. Except for a portion of the City of Union, all areas of Union County have a population of less than one household per acre.
THE PLANNING PROCESS The development of the first Comprehensive Plan for Union County took several years from the initial kickoff to adoption by County Council. The process started in early 2017 with the establishment of the Planning Commission and the ppointment of the Comprehensive Plan Focus Groups. The Focus Groups included the Supervisor and County Council, Planning Commission members, and local citizens appointed by County Council.
The Focus Groups were broken into three subcommittees to address all of the elements of the plan. The role of the Focus Groups was to review
1212 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
Figure 1.1 Planning Context
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 13 13 CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
Figure 1.2 Planning Area
1414 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
the existing conditions of the planning area, provide input on the opportunities and challenges of the plan elements, and comment of potential goals and strategies to address these issues.
The planning process was broken into phases: project initiation and assessment, plan development and preparation, community review, and adoption. The main focus of the first phase was to develop a community engagement plan and compile data on each element of the plan. The focus of the second phase was to develop the vision, guiding principles, and identify goals through facilitated topic discussions with the Focus Groups. This phase also included conducting a community survey and developing and formatting the plan. The third phase included community review of the draft plan and the final phase was the adoption process which included a resolution for approval from the Planning Commission, a public hearing, and three readings from County Council.
Plans and studies reviewed and considered in the development of the Union County Comprehensive Plan include:
• Union County Transit Feasibility Study, 2019 • Catawba Regional Housing Assessment, 2018 • Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Land Ownership Adjustment Strategy, 2018 • South Carolina Statewide Freight Plan, 2018 • Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan, 2018 • Shaping Our Future, Upstate South Carolina, 2017 • Catawba Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, 2017 • Union County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan • City of Union Comprehensive Plan • Connect Our Future, Union County, SC, 2014 • Lockhart, SC Community Vision Plan, 2013 • Union County, South Carolina Concept Study of a Regional Water Supply Reservoir, 2007 • Union Economic Development Charrette Report, 2005 • Vision Union, 2004
FOCUS GROUPS Residents shared ideas on the economy, roads, community assets, education, housing, and their vision for Union County.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 15 15 CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT A key element of the Comprehensive Plan process is public participation. Public involvement is critical to the success of any planning effort and long-term implementation of a plan. The goal is to engage the community and ensure citizens understand all the issues and agree on a shared vision for the future. The residents support a plan developed by consensus and then support the County Council as decisions are considered and actions taken. Throughout the process, residents were invited to participate on plan development. A component of public engagement was a community survey to obtain opinions on a number of issues related to quality of life, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, and future development patterns. A total of 380 survey responses were received. A complete summary of public input, including a report on the survey, is included in Appendix C, Community Engagement.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STRUCTURE The Comprehensive Plan is a dynamic document that should be used for decisions made by elected officials and staff. It should be reviewed regularly and amended as needed. The plan contains a chapter on each of the elements required by state statue as well as some additional elements deemed important for Union County. Each chapter includes the purpose of the element; a brief summary of the issues; and goals, strategies, and action items. Appendix A, Community Engagement describes the detailed comments received from the focus groups and includes a report on the Community Survey. Detailed existing conditions for all the plan elements are noted in Appendix B, Existing Conditions.
FOCUS GROUPS Residents provide input on the Comprehensive Plan elements at the June 20 and July 20, 2017 meetings.
1616 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 2 | THE VISION
CHAPTER 2 THE VISION
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 17 17 CHAPTER 2 | THE VISION
CHAPTER 2 THE VISION
UNION COUNTY Union County is a rural county located in the northern Piedmont area of South Carolina. Union County consists of approximately 500 square miles. According to forecasts, by 2023 the population of Union County is projected to be 27,678 and by 2040 the populations is estimated to be near 30,000.
VISION STATEMENT The development of a Comprehensive Plan frequently includes determining a vision of what the community wants to look like or be known for at the end of the planning period. The vision statement and planning principles are forward thinking. In developing this plan, one of the questions posed to the Focus Group members asked about the most important features for the future. The responses to this question provided ideas to start formulating a vision statement. In the image below, the larger the word the more frequent the word was listed by the community.
Most Important Features for the Future
JONES ELEMENTARY STEM BROAD RIVER AT LOCKHART Photo by Union County School District. Photo by Community Design Solutions.
1818 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 2 | THE VISION
PLANNING PRINCIPLES The planning principles are value statements that provide additional insight into the “big ideas” included in the vision statement. These principles provide the foundation for the plan’s goals, strategies, and action items such that each element can reflect back to the principles. The principles also reflect how each of the elements are interwoven with each other. The following are the planning principles for Union County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Resilient Communities – Union County is resilient with strong commercial and industrial corridors that are connected to an efficient transportation system that includes a variety of choices and are connected by greenways and blueways trails.
Abundant Natural Resources – Union County has an abundance of natural amenities and environmentally sensitive areas are enjoyed by residents and visitors and protected for generations to come.
Safe and Active Communities – Union County provides a safe, family-oriented atmosphere and a strong sense of community. Local partnerships and programs ensure opportunities for healthy living, efficient services, and diverse cultural amenities.
Strong Education and Economy – Union County supports its local businesses, industries, and educational stakeholders and promotes new innovative companies to ensure a diverse and resilient economic base that is responsive to changing economic conditions and educational opportunities.
Responsible Regionalism – Union County is a partner with others in the region by working with surrounding counties to address issues of common interest, such as: the economy, housing, transportation, air quality, and water conservation. To be successful, Union County plans and development activities are consistent with and supportive of neighboring areas.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK SIMS SCHOOL Photo by TRG Communities. Photo by Union County School District.
Vision Statement for Union County:
Union County is a safe, family-oriented county with abundant TOWN OF CARLISLE opportunities for educational excellence and employment areas for Photo by Catawba Regional Council of , Governments. healthy living, and treasured natural resources.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 19 19 CHAPTER 2 | THE VISION
VISION 2040 PLAN Figure 2.1 Vision 2040 Plan supports the Vision Statement and the Guiding Principles of Union County. The distribution of future land use in Union County includes Preserved Open Space, Farmland/Rural Residential, Residential Low Density, Suburban Transitional, Neighborhood Mixed-Use, Industrial, 176 Employment Corridor, Conservation Subdivision Centers, Employment Centers, and a Proposed Blueway/Greenway Trail along the three rivers that are the north, east and south boundaries for Union County.
The top five growth priorities for Union County SC that were identified in the CONNECT Our Future project included: More Housing Choices, Cost of Providing Services, More Transportation Choices, Support our Communities, and Work Closer to Home. The remaining five growth priorities for Union County included: Cost of My Commute, Improved Water Quality, Parks and Open Space, Support Local Farms, and Improved Air Quality.
RESIDENTIAL HOUSING Photo by TRG Communities.
2020 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 2 | THE VISION
Figure 2.1 Vision 2040 Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 21 21
This page left blank intentionally.
2222 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
CHAPTER 3 POPULATION
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2323 CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
CHAPTER 3 POPULATION
PURPOSE The people who live in Union County are an important part of the community, and it is important to understand the number and ages of residents to adequately plan for facilities that enhance the quality of life. The Population element considers historic trends and projections and other demographic data for Union County. The element reflects goals and strategies that support all people who reside in Union County.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Historically, Union County’s population remained approximately 30,000 residents during the 1980s and 1990s. The 2000 Census showed a slight decline in population that continues and is shown in Figure 3.1 2050 Population Estimate. Over the next three decades, Union County is projected to grow slightly to approximately 31,100 in residents.
Based on the Census 2010 Summary Profile from ESRI, the median age for Union County is 41.9. The estimated median age for 2018 for Union County is 44 years and is projected to increase to 45.7 by 2023. The Community Survey Report reflects the lack of population growth into Union County. Of those individuals who participated in the Community Survey,
Figure 3.1 2050 Population Estimate
32,000
31,100 31,000 30,751
30,337 30,244 29,881 30,000 29,389
29,000 28,804 28,533 28,164
28,000 27,678
27,000
26,000
25,000 1980 1990 2000 2012 2018 2023 2030 2036 2042 2050
Source: Connect Our Future, U. S. Census, ESRI Community Profile
2424 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
Table 3.1 Age Cohorts 2000, 2010, and 2017 2017
Age South Carolina Union County Union Jonesville Lockhart Carlisle
0-4 289,964 1,512 655 22 28 0 5 - 19 937,717 4,939 1,540 142 120 68 20-64 2,870,507 16,023 4,342 424 268 182 65 and Older 795,256 5,298 1,389 154 118 92 2010
Age South Carolina Union County Union Jonesville Lockhart Carlisle
0-4 297,754 1,774 764 38 44 26 5 - 19 915,819 5,556 1,247 152 72 96 20-64 2,702,345 17,104 4,905 533 412 281 65 and Older 531,944 4,683 1,561 173 69 68 2000
Age South Carolina Union County Union Jonesville Lockhart Carlisle
0-4 264,679 1,894 573 58 3 24 5 - 19 871,099 5,961 1,667 181 6 113 20-64 2,390,901 17,356 4,795 544 25 295 65 and Older 485,333 4,670 1,758 199 5 64 Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey approximately 58% identified as lifelong residents, and approximately 19% had lived in Union County for 21 years or more. The breakdown of the remaining residents are as follows: 1) Length of residency as 1 to 5 years 9%, 2) Length of residency 6 to 10 years 4%, and 3) Length of residency 11 to 20 years 10%.
Table 3.1 Age Cohorts 2000, 2010, and 2017 reflect populations by age. In considering the breakdown of residents by ages for Union County, the 65 and older age group is the only age cohort that has increased slightly since 2000. The remaining age classifications have declined slightly since 2000. The decrease in the under 18 population is contributed to the higher median age of Union County residents. Figure 3.2 2017 Age Classification Percentages reflect populations’ percentages by age. The 2017 estimate by age is similar across South Carolina, Union County, and the municipalities, with the biggest differences in the 0 – 4 age and 65 and older age groups. Union County and South Carolina percentages of age classifications are very similar.
According to the 2010 population by race, 98% of the population in Union County is noted as 67% white and 31% black with the remaining 2% associated as American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or two or more races. The high
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2525 CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
Figure 3.2 2017 Age Classifications 70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% South Union Union Jonesville Lockhart Carlisle Carolina County 0-4 6% 5% 8% 3% 5% 0% 5 - 19 19% 18% 19% 19% 22% 20% 20-64 59% 58% 55% 57% 50% 53% 65 and Older 16% 19% 18% 21% 22% 27%
0-4 5 - 19 20-64 65 and Older
Source: U. S. Census, American Community Survey
UNIQUELY UNION FESTIVAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE WITH SENIORS Union County Development Board. Photo by Union County Library System.
2626 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION school graduation rate in Union County is 76%, and the high school graduation rate for South Carolina is 85%. Of those individuals over the age of 25, approximately 13% have either an Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or Graduate/ Professional Degree. Approximately 19% of the population over the age of 25 have some college education but do not have a degree.
Figure 3.3 2017 Median Household Income and Per Capita Income reflects approximately 20% lower income levels in Union County compared to the income levels of the state of South Carolina. This relates to more individuals and families living in poverty in Union County than in the state, with Union County having 19.3% individuals and 17.5% of families living in poverty compared to 16.6% individuals and 12.3% families living in poverty in South Carolina.
Figure 3.3 2017 Median Household Income and Per Capita Income
$60,000
$48,781 $50,000
$40,000 $37,493
$30,000 $26,645 $21,183 $20,000
$10,000
$- Median Household Income Per Capita Income
South Carolina Union County
Source: U. S. Census, American Community Survey
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2727 CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Promote safe environments for Union County communities.
Planning Objectives 1. Develop community assessments and strategic plans for safe neighborhoods through partnerships with County departments, agencies, and organizations.
Action Strategies A. Collaborate with County stakeholders to provide for minor housing repair and rehabilitation needs for elderly, disabled, and families in poverty. (short-term) B. Provide for wayfinding signage and landscaping to beautify communities and promote community identification. (short- to mid-term) C. Create a better built environment with local partners through enhancement projects, such as sidewalks, trails, lighting, and parks, and through the removal of dilapidated structures, litter, and overgrown lots. (mid- to long- term)
Goal Promote excellence in the educational system for lifelong learning.
Planning Objectives 1. Offer and promote diverse education opportunities / guest lectures, internships through Recreation Department and partnerships with USC Union, Spartanburg Community College, Union County School District, and Broad River Electric. 2. Develop County work experience, mentorship, etc. for student and volunteer learning. Continue to work with SCDOT, the State Legislature, and regional partners to establish a public transit program, improve freight mobility, and enhance economic competitiveness and efficiency. 3. Collaborate with schools for facilities to be used for community events. Provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities as a network of connections to housing, schools, commercial areas, parks, and activity centers.
Action Strategies A. Increase awareness of educational opportunities such as the Community Scholarship and Operation Workforce Training programs. (short-term) B. Partner and communicate with School District representatives through regular meetings and programs. (on-going) C. Develop continuing education programs for inclusiveness, mental health, finances, art, home economics, historical culture, etc. (short-term) D. Promote community school-based events on County’s website and social media. (short-term) E. Develop strategic plans with schools and universities on educational initiatives. (on-going)
2828 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 3 | POPULATION
Goal Implement tools that encourage growth and ensure high quality of life for all.
Planning Objectives 1. Achieve financial stability for families in Union County. 2. Establish flexible land use regulations that protect employment areas, foster new housing, protect natural resources, and increase opportunities for local entrepreneurship.
Action Strategies A. Communicate need for ordinances and develop tools such as a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and Land Development Ordinances that provide for fiscal programming and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. (short- to mid-term) B. Lower poverty rates and increase median household income and per capita income of families by targeting new employment clusters and supporting required educational training programs. (short- to mid-term)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2929
This page left blank intentionally.
3030 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
CHAPTER 4 LAND USE
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 31 31 CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
CHAPTER 4 LAND USE
PURPOSE The Land Use element considers existing and future land use in Union County by categories. Future land use needs are planned to support Union County’s vision and a balance of social, economic, and environmental factors.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Union County is a rural county with an abundance of protected open space, natural resources, and undeveloped land. Over half of the parcels in Union County, 52%, are undeveloped, and 21% are protected open space. Most of the protected open space land is located within the proclaimed boundary of the Sumter National Forest and is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service or held in conservation easements. Approximately a quarter of the remaining parcels are categorized as underdeveloped, developed, or agricultural lands.
Development is centered in the incorporated areas of Union, Jonesville, Lockhart, and Carlisle. Pockets of development are also located in unincorporated areas that include the following communities: Bonham, Buffalo, Cross Keys, Kelly Kelton, Monarch, Neal Shoals, Philippi, Rose Hill, Santuc, Sardis, Southside, and Whitmire.
The Land Use element of the Comprehensive Plan includes a current land use analysis and a future land use plan based on projected growth and development. Table 4.1 Development Status reflects the current status of land use in Union County as undeveloped, protected open space, underdeveloped, developed, and agricultural land. The Existing Land Use is included in Appendix B Existing Conditions, and it shows types of existing land uses. Figure 4.1 Development Status was developed as part of the CONNECT Our Future regional plan and shows the current development status of individual parcels across the county. The table below details the distribution by number of parcels and acreage across the five categories of existing land uses.
Table 4.1 Development Status Category Acres Sq Miles Percentage Undeveloped 164,741.10 257.41 52% Protected Open Space 67,874.40 106.05 21% Underdeveloped 60,230.60 94.11 19% Developed 16,951.70 26.49 5% Agricultural 9,878.30 15.43 3% Total 319,676.10 499.49 100% Source: Catawba Regional Council of Governments
3232 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
Figure 4.1 Development Status
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3333 CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
FUTURE LAND USE Figure 4.2 Future Land Use Plan reflects the location of various types of land use designations. The Future Land Use Plan considers community assets and public infrastructure and provides a context for Union County to use when developing and updating ordinances and policies that affect future public and private development activities. The Future Land Use Plan also locates in general terms where future growth may occur in the county and around jurisdictions.
Table 4.2 Future Land Use Status Land Use Acres Sq Miles Percentage Preserved Open Space 118,876.30 185.74 37% Farmland/Rural Residential 185,328.80 289.58 58% Residential 1,445.00 2.26 0% Transitional Suburban 5,047.00 7.89 2% Neighborhood Mixed-Use 923.80 1.44 0% Industrial 3,658.50 5.72 1% 176 Employment Corridor 4,396.70 6.87 1% Total 319,676.20 499.49 100% Source: Catawba Regional Council of Governments
When residents were surveyed and asked about growth and development, an overwhelming number of respondents felt Union County should grow through a strategic and balanced approach. When asked about types of residential development, residents responded that housing should be provided on both small lot or mixed-use development and large lot residential subdivisions. Focus Group members also noted that neighborhoods with a mixture of housing types were important to the future of Union County.
Figure 4.2 Future Land Use Plan identifies the majority of land, 58%, as Farmland/Rural Residential. This land use category is intended to preserve agricultural lands, provide land for locally grown food, and protect rural living. Local food production creates unique economic development opportunities in rural areas. Sustainable and practical farming practices will create resilient agricultural lands.
Preserved Open Space lands, 37%, are primarily located within the Sumter National Forest in the southern portion of Union County. The Future Land Use Plan also creates Neighborhood Mixed-Use areas near the City of Union in the Buffalo and Monarch communities. Furthermore, potential locations for Conservation Subdivision Centers are noted near the Employment Corridor, Employment Centers, the City of Union, and away from floodplain areas and other sensitive natural resources.
The Future Land Use Plan establishes a 176 Employment Corridor between the City of Union and Spartanburg County for economic development. The 176 Employment Corridor is intended for offices, laboratories, medical facilities, research centers, and institutions of higher learning that are clean, quiet, and compatible with adjacent residential or business districts. Businesses and organizations with industrial foci, including product assembly, distribution centers, and light manufacturing, that are located in the Employment Corridor may provide support services to nearby Employment Centers. Retail, commercial, and institutional uses and some residential attached and detached housing may be located at mixed-
3434 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
Figure 4.2 Future Land Use Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3535 CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
use nodes along Highway 176. Future locations for transit centers should be planned and incorporated along the 176 Employment Corridor to support medical and commuter trips between Union and Spartanburg counties. An express route service is a long-term recommendation as a regular commuting service to connect Union County with the SPARTA Transit Center. This corridor provides land for economic growth and resiliency and supports the industrial land uses located in this portion of Union County.
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use areas are planned for unique districts in Union County that support creative design standards and the goals of the Land Use Element. Mixed-use districts are efficient types of development allowing flexibility with compact, diverse land uses in a walkable environment that is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. These districts will integrate places of employment with a wide variety of businesses and a mixture of housing types and residential densities. Residents will be able to live, shop, work, and play in a walkable district that includes retail goods and services that residents need on a daily basis. The design and scale of mixed-use developments encourage active living through a comprehensive and interconnected network of walkable streets and a variety of transportation choices. This type of design allows residents to spend less time and expenses on transportation because housing is close to jobs and services.
An mixed-use development was recommended in the Lockhart Community Vision Plan, developed by Community Design Solutions and funded by a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The proposed initiative envisioned a “Mill Street at the Square” development across from Lockhart Town Square. Redevelopment of the town center incorporates a mixed-use infill development project compatiable in height, design, and scale and that adds value to the Lockhart downtown. The current location is used for surface parking, and a short-term initiative for the site is as a location for a farmer’s market and festivals until the infill mixed-use development project is constructed. Images of the current conditions and proposed developments reflect the impact of the infill project on the Town of Lockhart.
3636 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
MILL AT UNION INFILL DEVELOPMENT SITE Existing conditions (image to the left), proposed short term use as farmer’s market, festival space, etc. (image above), and proposed long-term mixed-use traditional”Main Street” form (image below). Images by Community Design Solutions.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3737 CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
Conservation Subdivision Centers, as reflected below, are large tracts of property with vast amounts of open spaces, forested land, and sensitive natural areas. These developments provide residential neighborhoods that are designed “with nature and for people” as stated by Randall Arendt in “Rural By Design.” Within the area, housing is located and placed away from sensitive land and habitat cores. Residential areas may be developed on small scale rural lots with homes designed to blend in with the natural landscape. These developments preserve nature, rural beauty, and environmental resources as well as allow for new housing developments that support the future growth of Union County.
Outdoor recreation and active living are economic drivers for Union County through tourism. There are many existing and new opportunities to grow an outdoor recreation economy. The Future Land Use Plan establishes the Union County Greenway Blueway – Tri River Trail System along the Pacelot, Broad, and Enoree Rivers. These three rivers when developed into a connected trail system will link to the Palmetto Trail, the Sumter National Forest, the Flat Stack Trail in Lockhart, and other rivers in Union County. Entrepreneur opportunities exist for outdoor outfitters to provide equipment and supplies for camping, kayaking, fishing, biking, and hiking and for small scale restaurants and shops. Existing facilities throughout Union County can be repurposed for retreat centers and retail, such as the “Big House” on the Braod River and the Lockhart Gas Station shown as an outdoor outfitter.
In addition to the Tri River Trail System, a Union County Heritage Trail System can be planned and constructed to connect the many historic landmarks in Union County. Residents and visitors can enjoy walking and biking tours and learn about the significant Revolutionary War and African American historic sites identified with markers, interpretative signs, and directional signs. Annual outdoor events, such as races and runs along the rivers and heritage trails, can be held, bringing visitors to Union County.
The Sumter National Forest has an abundance of campgrounds, fishing sites, and river access points that are unique for Union County. The Calhoun Experimental Forest in the Sumter National Forest provides educational opportunities around environmental research and learning. Sumter National Forest provides nature based tourism for bird watching and wildlife and nature observing. Businesses can thrive along these natural areas, driving the local economy and growing jobs. Industry sectors, such as outdoor eqiupment manufacturers, can support outdoor recreation and grow the regional economy. The goals, strategies, and action items within the Land Use element support the CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION Plan Vision and will implement the Source: Randall Arendt Future Land Use Plan.
3838 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
THE LODGE AT LOCKHART CONCEPT An adaptive reuse project to renovate the historic property overlooking the Broad River into a retreat center. Photo by Community Design Solutions.
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION REUSE OF OLD LOCKHART GAS STATION Source: Randall Arendt Repurpose of gas station into outdoors outfitter shop near the Broad River. Illustration by Irene Dumas Tyson.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3939 CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Designate land to meet the existing and future land use needs of identified development patterns.
Planning Objective 1. Adopt and implement land development ordinances in accordance with the Future Land Use Plan.
Action Strategies A. Conduct an analysis of existing ordinances related to land development and needed regulations. (short-term) B. Prepare a land development ordinance and related maps and engage with residents and stakeholders for community input prior to adoption. (short- to mid-term) C. Redevelop facilities and areas near existing infrastructure and public services to minimize cost to serve and foster economic development opportunties. (mid-term)
ATLANTA BELTLINE, THE EASTSIDE TRAIL Perkins and Will.
4040 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 4 | LAND USE
Goal Create great neighborhoods in which all residents, regardless of age, income, and ability, can live, work, and play.
Planning Objective 1. Develop policies that provide choices for families and individuals for housing and education near employment centers.
Action Strategies A. Create ordinances and zoning that allows for a variety of housing options in all residential neighborhoods. (short- to mid-term) B. Require all developments that incorporate residential uses to develop homes that add value to communities by applying basic architectural design guidelines. (short- to mid-term)
COTTAGE COURT NEIGHBORHOOD Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 4141
This page left blank intentionally.
4242 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER 5 TRANSPORTATION
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 4343 CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER 5 TRANSPORTATION
PURPOSE The Transportation Element considers a balanced, equitable, and efficient transportation system that provides a range of transportation choices. Well-planned and -designed transportation corridors establish livable communities; support a diverse economy; reduce air, noise, and water pollution; and enhance mobility for all. The Transportation Element considers protecting existing corridors and reserving future right-of-way; enhancing mobility by improving existing roads, corridors, and street connectivity; encouraging access management strategies; identifying connections for pedestrians and bicyclists to enhance safety and mobility; and minimizing environmental impacts.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Transportation is the connection between the movement of people and goods supporting economic development and land use strategies. Roads are capital facilities maintained by Union County, its municipalities, and the State of South Carolina. Transportation improvements are linked to the strategies for public facilities and capital improvements. Transportation and land use patterns change as areas develop and grow. The provision of transportation in the county should reflect the unique characteristics of the landscape and follow the character outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. The transportation system includes many transportation choices, such as pedestrian, bicycle, bus, automobile, freight, rail, and air. These modes of transportation should connect in an effective system that supports economic development and land use.
Union County is located between Interstate 26 and Interstate 77. The US Highway 176 corridor is located north to south through the middle of Union County. Many state highways are located in Union County, and CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads cross in the Town of Carlisle. Norfolk Southern Railroad is located in a north to south route, somewhat similar to US Highway 176. This line is the main corridor that extends from the Port of Charleston to the Inland Port in Greer. CSX Railroad is located across the lower southeast portion of Union County and runs almost parallel to SC Highway 72 (Highway 121). The CSX Railroad connects Chester and the Lancaster County panhandle. This line connects business customers with eastern North Carolina and western South Carolina.
The primary transportation system in Union County is the road network. The major road classifications are interstate, arterials, and collectors. There is also a vast network of local roads that provide direct access to homes and businesses.
SWAMP RABBIT TRAIL Greenville, SC. Photo by Smart Growth America.
4444 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
Many of these are paved two-lane roads, and some are gravel. Several transportation plans address issues of roadway improvements, new street collectors, freight mobility, bike and pedestrian connectivity, and transit. These plans include the following:
• Union County Transit Feasibility Study, 2019 • South Carolina Statewide Freight Plan, 2018 • Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan, 2018 • Catawba Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan / Rural Transportation Planning Program, 2015 - 2040 • South Carolina 2040 Multimodal Transportation Plan Regional Transit and Coordination Plan Catawba Region, 2014 • Union County Transportation Plan - C Program
Table 5.1 Funded Corridor Improvements reflects the corridor, type of improvement, source of funding, estimated cost, and horizion year. The majority of the corridor improvements are located along SC 215, SC 49 and US 176. These projects will alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel times, provide alternate routes, and lessen delays for daily traffic and emergency traffic routes. As these transportation projects are planned and designed and surrounding developments occur, consideration should be made for incorporating protected bike lanes, tree shaded pedestrian walkways, and future transit amenties that supoprt a variety of transportation choices. These projects are from the Catawba Regional Rural Transportation Planning Program Long-Range Transportation Plan, 2015-2040. Figure 5.1 Transportation Improvements Plan notes the location of these projects. Table 5.1 Funded Corridor Improvements Type Project Description Route Estimate US 176 Intersection SC 215 @ US 176 SC 215 $350,000.00 SC 18 Connector
SC 18 Connector Intersection SC 215-SC 18 Connector and SC 18 $500,000.00 SC 18 SC 49 Connector Intersection SC 49-SC 215 Connector and SC 215 $125,000.00 SC 215
System Improvement SC 49 Passing Lanes SC 49 T.B.D.
System Improvement US 176 Fendley Hwy US 176 $12,831,649.00
System Improvement US 176 Whitmire Hwy US 176 $5,320,899.00
System Improvement SC 215 West Springs Hwy SC 215 $5,320,899.00
Special New Hope Church Rd Swap TBD TBD New Location Future I-26/I-77 Connector TBD TBD Source: CRCOG Rural Transportation Planning Program Long-Range Transportation Plan, 2015-2040
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 4545 CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) “C” Program is a long-established partnership between SCDOT and Union County to fund the improvements of state roads, county roads, city streets, and other local transportation projects. SCDOT, like all state transportation departments across the country quickly learned the job is too big to accomplish without partnerships. The “C” Program is successful because local leaders and citizens alike are willing to work with SCDOT to meet the needs of the communities throughout South Carolina. The “C” funds are derived from 2.99 cents per gallon of the state gasoline tax and will ultimately equal 3.99 cents per gallon on July 1, 2021. In FY 2017-2018, $984,300 was allocated to Union County with a mandate that 25% be directed to state-maintained roads.
The Union County Transportation Committee (CTC) is responsible for the selection of transportation projects and the approval of “C” fund expenditures based on the annual income. The CTC is also responsible for the formation and necessary maintenance of a county transportation plan. It is desirable for the CTC to coordinate with the local South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) offices regarding the state roads which are to be improved. This may avoid duplication of effort and possible conflicts with ongoing SCDOT road projects and maintenance activities. CTCs are encouraged to obtain SCDOT’s state secondary road ranking list or input from their local SCDOT field office in order to assist the Committee in the selection of resurfacing projects.
Paragraph (C) of the “C” fund statute states that “C” funds can be used as follows: “At least twenty-five (25%) percent of a county’s apportionment of “C” funds …. must be expended on the state highway system for construction, improvements and maintenance….The county transportation committee, at its discretion, may expend up to seventy-five (75%) percent of “C” construction funds for activities including other local paving or improving county roads, for street and traffic signs, and for other road and bridge projects.” These funds are distributed based on this three part formula: • ⅓ based on the ratio of the land area of the county to the land area of the state; • ⅓ based on the ratio of the county population to the state population; and • ⅓ based on the rural road mileage in the county to the rural road mileage in the state.
The Catawba Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), consisting of representatives from across the region, is responsible for identifying and recommending priority projects for federal funding in Union County and the remaining three counties in the Catawba Region. In 2018, the combination of federal and state funding known as “guideshare” was $4.9 million.
Public transportation provides everyone who cannot or does not drive the freedom to travel for work, school, shopping, appointments, and social reasons. Having a public transit system addresses community inequalities and provides more opportunities for increased quality of life.
Union County initiated a Transit Feasibility Study in November 2017 with support from the South Carolina Department of Transportation through a State Mass Transit Fund Grant and in partnership with the City of Union and the towns of Carlisle, Jonesville, and Lockhart. AECOM developed the study and concluded that public transportation services in Union County are needed to address transportation barriers and increase mobility. Community input included Steering Committee meetings, surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and a peer workshop. The three recommendations from the Transit Feasibility Study were based on employment and demographic data, community engagement, and available funding sources and are noted below:
4646 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
Figure 5.1 Transportation Improvements Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 4747 CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
• Demand Response Service – The door to door service would operate countywide, be open to the general public, and serve all trip purposes. The service would only be available for a limited period of time during the day due to constraints in funding. After the three-year pilot project is complete, it is recommended to extend the transit service for longer periods. • Vanpool Program – This service is recommended for years three and beyond and would serve employees and employers in all areas of Union County. Coordination between employers and employees is necessary for the program to be successful. Work-related trips were noted by the public as one of the top priorities for transit. • Medical and Commuter Trips to Spartanburg from Union – This express route service is recommended for the long term for Union County as a regular commuting service. This route will connect with SPARTA Transit Center and expand transit options for riders.
The South Carolina Statewide Freight Plan was developed in 2018 and has the following goals: • Invest in infrastructure improvements and implement operational improvements on highways • Improve the safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency of freight transportation • Improve the state of good repair of the National Highway Freight Network • Use innovation and advanced technology to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Highway Freight Network • Improve the efficiency and productivity of the National Highway Freight Network • Improve the flexibility of states to support multi-state corridor planning and the creation of multi-state organizations to increase the ability of states to address highway freight connectivity • Reduce the environmental impacts of freight movement on the National Highway Freight Network
Figure 5.2 Freight Plan shows the freight corridors in Union County. The Statewide Freight Roadway Network includes all routes that provide significant cross regional/cross state access for freight movements and mostly roadway segments with over 500 trucks per day. SC Highway 72 that is located in south Union County is included in the Statewide Freight Roadway Network. SC Highway 72 Freight Density in 2011 is noted between 5 to 10 million tonnages. Other highways in Union County are less than 1 million tonnage of freight density.
Truck Freight Density (2040) is indicated to be 5 to 10 million tons for SC Highway 72 and US Highway 176. The remaining highways in Union County are noted as less than 1 million in tons (Figure 5.2, page 45)
4848 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
Figure 5.2 Freight Mobility Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 4949 CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
Rail Freight Density (2040) is shown to be 10 to 20 million in freight flow tonnage for CSX and less than 1 million for Norfolk Southern.
For Rail Freight, the study shows CSX is a Class I railroad with major commodities that are transported within South Carolina, including the following products: petroleum and coal, lumber and wood, chemical and allied products, coal, and miscellaneous mixed shipments. CSX Rail Freight Density is 2011 is noted at 10 – 20 million tonnage. Also, Norfolk Southern is a Class I railroad that carries major commodities,including coal, lumber and wood products, chemicals, pulp, paper, allied products, and transportation equipment, within SC. Norfolk Southern Rail Freight Density in 2011 is noted at less than 1 million tonnage. Air includes mail products and freight commodities.
The Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan, completed in 2018, focuses on connectivity to healthy food destinations, community parks, and schools. The study area includes US-176 on the east, Highway 215 on the north, Lukesville Road on the west, and the Norfolk Southern Railroad to the south. The planning area includes Buffalo Elementary School, Timken Park, Standard Textile, Sonocco Plastics, the National Guard Armory, Post Office, and various residential, commerical, and retail uses. The three planning principles in the study are equity-based planning, access to healthy foods, and community engagement. Recommendations, shown in Figure 5.3 Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan, include a more connected network in the study area, 6.98 miles of new sidewalk, 1.18 miles of an advisory shoulder, 1.31 miles of on-street bike facility, 2.12 miles of new shared-use path, and nine crossing improvements. TIMKEN PARK INTERSECTION Existing conditions (upper image) and proposed crossing improvements with signalization, new sidewalk Union County received grant funds from the facilities, and other pedestrian improvements (bottom image). Photos by Alta Planning + Design. South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation,
5050 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
Figure 5.3 Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 51 51 CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
and Tourism Recreational Trails Program to develop Phases I and II of the Flat Stack Trail in Lockhart. The trail is a 10-foot wide hard surface trail that runs along the Broad River. The Flat Stack Trail is a 1.5 mile walking and biking trail from the planned boat landing north of the Lockhart Dam south to Canal Road and along the future Stack and Shoals Park around the mill site in Lockhart. The total project cost was $250,000, with $200,000 from the Recreational Trail Program and $50,000 in local funds.
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Provide a safe transportation system for all modes of transportation and related facilities as one integrated system that is coordinated and developed with partners and stakeholders.
Planning Objectives 1. Design or redesign roads for all transportation modes to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. 2. Improve the efficiency of the road network by providing connectivity where appropriate. 3. Plan transportation facilities to function efficiently and to be compatible with adjacent land uses.
Action Strategies A. Utilize grants to upgrade and maintain existing pedestrian sidewalks and install sidewalks where needed. (short- term) B. Upgrade and install lighting along major streets and corridors to make transportation safer. (on-going) C. Improve the condition of existing walking areas to increase safety of walkers. (short-term) D. Widen Highways 49, 72, and 176 to improve the access to Interstate 26 and Highway 9 between Lockhart and Jonesville. (long-term)
Goal Collaborate regularly with stakeholders, agencies, and jurisdictions for planning and implementing transportation improvements that enhance quality of life and economic development.
Planning Objectives 1. Continue to work with SCDOT, the State Legislature, and regional partners to establish a public transit program, improve freight mobility, and enhance economic competitiveness and efficiency. 2. Provide pedestrian and bicycle facilities as a network of connections to housing, schools, commercial areas, parks, and activity centers.
Action Strategies A. Establish a transit program with a countywide Demand Response Service to provide work- and medical-related trips. (short-term) B. Implement a Vanpool Program for transit-specific, work-related trips to the major employers in the area. (mid- term) C. Develop an Express Route transit program for medical and commuter trips to Spartanburg from the City of Union.
5252 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 5 | TRANSPORTATION
(long-term) D. Develop a bike and pedestrian plan to identify corridors and routes for pedestrians and bicyclists and gaps in connections between facilities. (short-to mid-term) E. Encourage healthy lifestyles by providing connections with sidewalks, multi-use paths, trails, and bike lanes. (mid- to long-term)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5353
This page left blank intentionally.
5454 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
CHAPTER 6 HOUSING
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5555 CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
CHAPTER 6 HOUSING
PURPOSE The Housing Element facilitates the provision of decent, safe, and affordable housing that meets the needs of the present and future residents of Union County, while preserving and enhancing the physical and social fabric of the existing neighborhoods and limiting the impact of development on environmentally sensitive areas.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY With slow population growth occurring in Union County, new housing developments are currently not planned although residents would like to see options for housing, including new homes and types of housing. Population has been decreasing in Union County since 2009 with losses due to both natural change and net migration. Single-family building permits have averaged approximately 20 permits per year since 2009 with no new multi-family developments during the same period.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 71.8% of the housing supply in Union County is owner-occupied. Renter occupied housing units make up 28.2% of the occupied housing units. The average household size in Union County is 2.38 persons, and 33.8% of households are 2 person, 29% are 1 person, 18.5% are 3 person, 11.8% are 4 person, and 4.7% are 5 person. Different sizes of households have varying housing needs.
The median household income for Union County for 2016 is estimated at $34,953, and is 25% below the Spartanburg Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) median household income of $46,554. Vacancy rates in Union County have dropped on homes for sale 0.4% between 2010 and 2016 from 2.0% to 1.6%. During that same period, rental vacancy for Union County dropped almost 4% from 10.3% to 5.9%.
Table 6.1 Housing Inventory by Tenure 2010 2014 2015 2016 Total Housing Units 14,153 14,071 14,049 14,022 Occupied 11,974 11,739 11,666 11,598 Owners 8,601 8,474 8,421 8,216 % Owners 71.8 72.2 72.2 70.8 Renters 3,373 3,265 3,245 3,382 % of Renters 28.2 27.8 27.8 29.2 Total Vacant 2,179 2,332 2,383 2,424 Available for Sale 174 230 167 130 Available for Rent 389 250 271 211 Other Vacant 1,616 1,852 1,945 2,083
Source: Catawba Regional Housing Assessment, 2018, Census and American Community Survey (ACS)
5656 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
Figure 6.1 Union County Vacancy Rates
12% 10.30% 10%
7.70% 8% 7.10% 5.90% 6%
4% 2.60% 2% 1.90% 1.60% 2%
0% 2010 2014 2015 2016
Sales Rental
Source: Catawba Regional Housing Assessment, 2018, Census and ACS
The 2018 Catawba Regional Housing Assessment evaluated the economy and general housing affordability and the burden of housing costs for counties in the region. A factor in assessing housing affordability is the percentage of residents considered cost-burdened by either rent or mortgage costs. The term cost-burdened is defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as households who require more affordable housing: “Families who pay more than 30% of their income for housing are considered to be cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care” (U.S. HUD n.d.). Additionally, families who pay more than 50% of their income for housing are considered to be “severely cost-burdened.”
Among Union County households who rent, approximately 20% allot 50% or more of their income for housing and are considered severely cost-burdened, and approximately 43% allot 30% or more of their income for housing and are considered cost-burdened. To identify optimal rent rates to alleviate the cost burden of housing, the targeted ranges for income in Union County fall between $23,277 and $35,000, and the optimal monthly rent (less than 30% of income) is $580 to $875.
Single-family housing permits for Union County have averaged approximately 20 permits per year since 2013. Among households with a mortgage for their primary residence, 11% of Union County households are severely cost-burdened, and 29% are considered cost-burdened. To determine the optimal mortgage costs for Union County, targeted households earn between $23,277 and $35,000, and the optimal monthly mortgage (less than 30% of income) is $580 to $875.
Union County has many types of established residential communities surrounding the City of Union and in and around the towns of Jonesville, Carlisle, and Lockhart. The areas are listed in Table 6.1 Jurisdictions and Communities.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5757 CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
Table 6.2 Jurisdictions and Communities Bonham Browns Creek Buffalo City of Union Cross Keys Goldville Goshen Hill Kelly Kelton Monarch Mt. Vernon Neal Shoals Pinckneyville Philippi Rose Hill Santuc Sardis Southside Town of Carlisle Town of Jonesville Town of Lockhart West Springs Whitmire
Carolina Community Actions (CCA) is the designated community action agency for Union County. The agency was established August 2, 1965, as a non-profit community-based organization to fight the “War on Poverty” at the local level by providing high-impact programs that assist low-income individuals, families and neighborhoods. The mission of CCA is “to promote self-reliance of low-income individuals and families by forming partnerships, which will provide a systematic reduction of the cause and conditions of poverty.” Two of the programs run by the CCA are the following:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program • Emergency and Non-Emergency Financial Assistance (Utilities, Heating/Cooling Units) • Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income requirements based on 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Weatherization Assistance Program • .Residential energy efficiency and retrofit program • Uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to reduce energy cost and improve the comfort and indoor quality of the home while ensuring the health and safety of the household • Some measures to achieve energy efficiency may include: 1) Insulation in the attic space, under the home and/or sidewalls, 2) Air sealing throughout the home, 3) Seal and insulate duct work, 4) Weather strip and/or caulk around windows and doors, 5) Install smoke alarms and CO detectors • Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income requirements based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines HOUSING TYPES Photos by TRG Communities.
5858 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
HOUSING TYPES Photos by TRG Communitieis.
Figure 6.2 Year Housing Structure Built
3000 25.0%
2500 20.0% 20.0%
2000 16.8% 15.0% 14.3% 13.4% 1500 11.1% 10.5% 10.0% 1000 7.0% 5.1% 5.0% 500
1.5% 0 0.3% 0.0% 2014 or 2010 to 2000 to 1990 to 1980 to 1970 to 1960 to 1950 to 1940 to 1939 or later 2013 2009 1999 1989 1979 1969 1959 1949 earlier
Estimate Percent
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 - 2017 ACS - 5 Year Estimates
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5959 CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Preserve and protect the character, compatibly, and aesthetics of existing residential areas and neighborhoods.
Planning Objectives 1. Maintain the value of existing housing through proactive code enforcement. Design or redesign roads for all transportation modes to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. 2. Require new development to enhance and/or be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. 3. Promote programs to help owners improve their home. 4. Protect residential areas from illegal land use activities through enforcement of County codes. 5. Encourage parks, sidewalks, trails, lighting, and other amenities to promote safe, pleasant, community-friendly neighborhoods.
Action Strategies A. Implement active code enforcement in dense residential areas within Buffalo, Monarch, Ottaray, City of Union, Lockhart, Carlisle, and Jonesville. (on-going) B. Develop ordinance requiring periodic inspections for non-owner occupied housing units to maintain safe living conditions. (short-term) C. Partner with USDA to provide resources for owner-occupied residential upgrades / improvements. (mid-term) D. Develop land use regulations to ensure new developments are compatible with existing residential areas. (short- term)
Goal Create a diverse inventory of housing product to support growth of Union County.
Planning Objectives 1. Detached residential development should coincide with defined planning areas that allow for the retention or development of stable neighborhoods with individual character and identity. 2. Medium and high density development should be located in and near mixed-use districts and employment centers and may be used as a transition between residential and commercial areas. 3. Housing should be provided in close proximity to transportation, health centers, pharmacies, grocery stores, and open spaces.
Action Strategies A. Form public private partnerships to develop new housing stock, including workforce housing and adaptive reuse of existing facilities. (mid-term) B. Develop new residential neighborhoods as conservation subdivisions and neighborhood mixed-use near employment areas. (long-term) C. Create housing redevelopment plans for Lockhart, Buffalo, Ottaray, Jonesville, and Monarch to utilize existing water and sewer infrastructure. (mid-term)
6060 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 6 | HOUSING
D. Develop opportunities for additional student housing in partnership with the City of Union and other surrounding jurisdictions. (on-going) E. Develop land use regulations to protect new residential developments. (short-term)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 61 61
This page left blank intentionally.
6262 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 6363 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PURPOSE The Economic Development element contains goals, strategies, and action items to improve the local economy by diversifying the economic base, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, providing land and supporting infrastructure, expanding employment opportunities, and promoting the downtown area.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY The global, national, and regional economies have experienced dramatic changes over the last several decades. The United States economy has evolved from an emphasis on manufacturing to one increasingly based on innovation, creativity, technology, information, and global trade. These changing economic conditions provide both challenges and opportunities for Union County’s economy. Unemployment rates showed a major increase between 2008 and 2009 at the height of the Great Recession and a slow recovery between 2009 and 2014. Since 2014, unemployment rates have steadily declined. As of 2018, the unemployment rates of Union County (4.1%), South Carolina (3.4%), and the United States (3.9%) are all at approximately 3.8%. From 2014 to 2019, Union County experienced tremendous job growth, with a job increase of 46%. In
Table 7.1 Union County Occupations
Average Hourly Median Hourly Occupation Earnings Earnings Top Executives (11-1000) $54.69 $41.70 Engineers (17-2000) $40.24 $39.14 Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians (17-3000) $24.90 $23.44 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing (41-4000) $32.61 $26.23 Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers (43-1000) $24.92 $23.39 Information and Record Clerks (43-4000) $15.86 $14.79 Other Office and Administrative Support Workers (43-9000) $14.44 $13.64 Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers (47-1000) $27.26 $25.84 Construction Trades Workers (47-2000) $18.69 $17.18 Supervisors of Production Workers (51-1000) $32.97 $32.46 Assemblers and Fabricators (51-2000) $19.06 $17.98 Metal Workers and Plastic Workers (51-4000) $18.86 $18.04 Other Production Occupations (51-9000) $18.39 $17.29 Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers (53-1000) $28.02 $26.22 Material Moving Workers (53-7000) $13.52 $12.63 Source: Upstate SC Alliance, 2020
6464 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT that same period, the Union labor shed witnessed a 19,173 (19.8%) job growth in the 15 occupations listed in Table 7.1. Based on existing data and patterns, Emsi estimated that job growth in the Union labor shed will continue over the next four years with an estimated 11,712 (10.1%) job growth from 2019 to 2024, well above the anticipated growth in the nation as a whole, as reflected in Figure 7.1.
Union County is located in the South Carolina Upstate region. According to the Catawba Regional Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), this region has a top-ranked business climate, a world-class research environment, and boasts a healthy quality of life. The Upstate region has attracted world renowned companies that include, but are not limited to, BMW, Milliken, Michelin, and Fuji. Companies that may choose to locate in Union County will have the opportunity to take advantage of the region’s thriving business environment. Union County is also a part of the Upstate SC Alliance with the mission to position the Upstate for success in the global economy through strategic marketing, collaboration, and thought leadership.
The Union County Development Board promotes sustainable economic growth and quality of life by recruiting targeted industries, putting into place support mechanisms for retaining existing industry, encouraging diverse business growth, and improving internal and external communications. Union County also has the Fair Association Board. Members of this board work to promote agriculture, livestock, and recreation in Union County. Coupled together, the Union County Development Board and the Fair Association Board can be a dynamic force in economic development growth in both industrial and agricultural business areas.
Figure 7.1 Regional Job Growth Trends
Source: Upstate SC Alliance, 2020
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 6565 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Table 7.2 Average Annual Wage by Industry
Accommodation and Food Services $15,964 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services $20,904 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting $51,064 Construction $48,360 Finance and Insurance $38,064 Health Care and Social Assistance $53,560 Manufacturing $52,884 Other Services (except Public Administration) $20,904 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services $37,960 Public Administration $37,024 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing $28,080 Retail Trade $23,192 Transportation and Warehousing $39,260 Utilities $63,128 Wholesale Trade $34,788 Source: SC Department of Employment and Workforce, 2019
Figure 7.2 Commuter Shed Patterns
Source: Catawba Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, 2020.
6666 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Due to the location of Union County and its close proximity to other business sectors in the region, many residents have the opportunity to commute out of Union County for employment. The majority of these commuters are employed in adjoining counties within the region. Based on commuter data, 7,445 Union County residents travel outside of Union County for work, while 3,471 commute into Union County for work. Union County has 3,722 individuals who both work and live within the district. Commuter patterns are reflected in Figure 7.2 Commuter Shed Patterns. For individuals working in industries within Union County, annual salaries are noted in Table 7.2 TIMKEN TYGER RIVER Photo by Union County Development Board. Average Annual Wage by Industry.
Designated as a Recreation/Local (SC IV) airport in South Carolina’s Aviation System Plan, Union County’s Troy Shelton Field airport has lower activity levels and more limited facilities than other airports. The airport is forecast to have limited growth as well. According to SCAC’s Statewide Economic Impact Study, Troy Shelton Field annually supports approximately $1.6 million in economic benefit, which includes local spending by arriving visitors. Annually nearly 1,600 visitors arrive at Troy Shelton Field on general aviation planes. As these visitors take advantage of local lodgings, restaurants, ground DOLLAR GENERAL Photo by Union County Development Board. transportation, and shopping, there is evidence of the airport having a positive economic benefit on Union County, as noted in Table 7.3.
Additionally, the Troy Shelton Field airport has the potential to be an important draw for businesses in the process of expanding or relocating since access to an airport is highly valued by many companies. In order to remain attractive to visitors and businesses, the airport will need $10,454,500 over the next five years for maintenance and improvement projects suggested in South Carolina’s Aviation System Plan, SCAC’s Statewide Pavement Management Plan, and the airport’s locally generation capital improvement plan. GESTAMP Photo by Union County Development Board.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 6767 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Table 7.3 Total Annual Economic Impact for Troy Shelton Field, Union County
Employment Total Payroll Annual Spending Annual Economic Activity Economic Data Indirect/ Indirect/ Indirect/ Indirect/ Direct Induced Total Direct Induced Total Direct Induced Total Direct Induced Total Airport Management and Tenants 6 6 12 $246,250 $194,670 $440,920 $367,610 $306,230 $673,840 $613,860 $500,900 $1,114,760 Capital Investment 1 0 1 $39,840 $23,550 $63,390 $118,090 $76,010 $194,100 $157,930 $99,560 $257,490 General Aviation Visitor Spending 1 1 2 $41,650 $22,660 $64,310 $99,860 $73,000 $172,860 $141,510 $95,660 $237,170
Total Impacts 8 7 15 $327,740 $240,880 $568,620 $585,560 $455,240 $1,040,800 $913,300 $696,120 $1,609,420 Source: SC Statewide Aviation System Plan and Economic Impact Study, 2018
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created Opportunity Zones to encourage private investment and to revitalize distressed communities through federal tax incentives for those who reinvest unrealized capital gains into opportunity funds. Census Tract 301 in Union County has been designated by the Governor of South Carolina as one of the Opportunity Zones in the State. The Opportunity Zone is located in the City of Union and in the unincorporated area of Union County. Information about Census Tract 301 is reflected in Table 7.4 Opportunity Zone Data.
The Opportunity Zone is broken down into Dining and Lodging 1, Dining and Lodging 2, and Family Entertainment. This area is located on a primary commercial corridor, is infrastructure-ready area, and near the Timken Sports Complex, Walmart, and the Union County Fairgrounds. Uses in the Opportunity Zone include over 30 national retailers, restaurants, banks, and grocery stores, along with many locally-owned and independent retailers. The Opportunity Zone is also located in the Walkable Union Pedestrian planning area which recommends a more connected network in the study area, 6.98 miles of new sidewalk, 1.18 miles of an advisory shoulder, 1.31 miles of on-street bike facility, 2.12 miles of new shared-use path, and nine crossing improvements.
The American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report was released in early 2019 by the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and Department of Interior. The report details strategies for the federal government to increase broadband coverage across rural America and increase private investment in broadband infrastructure. In addition to new grant and loan funding for rural broadband infrastructure, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Senate to establish an Office of Rural Broadband within the Federal Communications Commission to address “significant gaps in rural broadband coverage.” According to the American Planning Association article “Equal Access Equals Opportunity” authored by Eric Frederick, AICP, LEED AP, the following community development goals can be achieved by having a comprehensive and connected broadband network:
• Expanding workforce and attracting economic development • Supporting farmers and agriculture, which can encourage locally sourced restaurants and farmers markets • Improving health care by telehealth services
6868 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Table 7.4 Opportunity Zone Data
Population Total 2,186 Population / White 1248 (57.1%) Population / Black 847 (38.7%) Population / Other 91 (4.2%) Poverty Rate 23.40% Labor Force Participation Rate 47.70% Unemployment Rate 4.40% Median Household Income $30,806 Source: SC Governor’s Office, 2019
Figure 7.3 Broadband Infrastructure - Residential Figure 7.4 Broadband Infrastructure - Business
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 6969 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Table 7.5 Broadband Service Providers Provider Service Type Speed Charter Spectrum Residential Cable 300 Mbps AT&T Internet Residential DSL 100 Mbps TruVista Residential DSL 20 Mbps Viasat Internet Residential Satellite 30 Mbps EarthLink Residential Fiber 1,000 Mbps HughesNet Residential Satellite 25 Mbps Spectrum Business Business Cable and Fiber 300 Mbps AT&T Business DSL 100 Mbps Source: Broadband Now, July 10, 2019
• Enhancing education and workforce development at schools, colleges, and universities • Encouraging small businesses and communities to become unique destination spots • Creating equity by providing equal access to services and opportunities for civic and cultural engagement
There are eight internet providers in Union, and five of these providers also offer residential service as noted in Table 7.5 Broadband Service Providers. Approximately 74% of Union County residents are served by multiple wired providers and 3,000 Union County residents do not have any access to wired internet. Satellite internet providers provide an alternative to homes without wired connections. In Union County, approximately 5,000 people do not have access to 25 Mbps wired broadband. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as an internet connection with a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. In Union County, most residences have access to cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) but are limited to one internet service provider (ISP) because most former cable television and phone companies use telephone poles to deliver internet bundle residential options. On average, addresses in Union County have access to broadband service from 1.68 providers. Broadband coverage in Union County is reflected in Figure 7.3 Broadband Infrastructure - Residential and Figure 7.4 Broadband Infrastructure - Business.
Five centers for economic development are located in the Planning Area and are shown in Figure 7.5 Economic Development Plan; Figure 7.6 Trakas Industrial Park; Figure 7.7 Midway Green Industrial Park; Figure 7.8 Cudd Industrial Property, Figure 7.9 Mac Johnson Industrial Park; and 7.10 Union Commerce Park. Cudd Industrial Property, Midway Green Industrial Park, and Union Commerce Park are in close proximity to the downtown business sector. Major roadways intersecting the Cudd Industrial Property include the US 176 and SC 18 corridors, while SC 215 and SC 49 intersects with the Midway Green Industrial Park. Trakas Industrial Park, located in the upper northwest corner of Union County, is located along US 176 and SC 9. All major roadways meet the transportation needs of incoming business development and offer opportunity for future growth in the five centers.
7070 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.5 Economic Development Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 71 71 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.6 Trakas Industrial Park
7272 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Trakas Industrial Park
Existing Facilities Location - 1907 Spartanburg Highway Acres - 164 +/- Minimum size available for purchase - 25 acres Maximum size available for purchase - 102 acres Current land use - agriculture Contains 2 South Carolina Department of Commerce Certified Industrial Sites South Site - 84 acres; not subdividable and North Site - 76 acres; not subdividable Utilities - Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Telecommunications Closest highway - US I76 (4-lane), 1.4 miles Closest interstate - I-85, 16 miles SC Highway 9 - adjacent to the park Norfolk Southern Railline - accessible to the park CSX Intermodal Facility, Charlotte - 71.4 miles Inland Port, Greer - 31.9 miles Port of Charleston - 195 miles Greenville Spartanburg International Airport - 34.4 miles Charlotte International Airport - 67.2 miles Troy Shelton Field Airport - 15.9 miles
Proposed Facilities Due diligence complete - Phase I, Geotechnical Assessment, Wetlands Delineation, Endangered Species Report, Archeological/Historical Report. The site can accommodate a buiding up to 300,000 +/- square feet with +/-280 light-duty parking spaces, and 77,000 +/- square feet of truck loading dock.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7373 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.7 Midway Green Industrial Park
7474 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Midway Green Industrial Park
Existing Facilities Location - 265 Midway Drive, Union Acres - 142 Minimum size available for purchase - 20 acres Maximum size available for purchase - 141 acres Current land use - forestry MIDWAY GREEN INDUSTRIAL SPEC BUILDING Location of Midway Green Industrial Spec Building - 100,000 SF on 24 acre site Building size: 100,000 SF. Photo by Union County Certified Industrial Park by the South Carolina Department of Commerce Development Board. Utilities - Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Telecommunications Closest interstate - I-26, 17 miles Norfolk Southern Railline - 0.25 miles Port of Charleston - 178 miles Greenville Spartanburg International Airport - 43 miles Troy Shelton Field Airport - 3.5 miles
Proposed Facilities Due diligence complete - Phase I, Geotechnical Assessment, Wetlands Delineation, Endangered Species Report, Archeological/Historical Report. The site is suited for multiple buildings or a single, large building.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7575 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.8 Cudd Industrial Property
7676 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Cudd Industrial Property
Existing Facilities Location - 1644 Jonesville Highway Acres - 73, 37 developable Minimum size available for purchase - 37 acres Maximum size available for purchase - 73 acres Current land use - forestry Utilities - Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Telecommunications Closest interstate - I-26, 23 miles Norfolk Southern Railline - on site Port of Charleston - 180 miles Greenville Spartanburg International Airport - 43 miles Troy Shelton Field Airport - 6.6 miles
Proposed Facilities Due diligence complete - Phase I, Geotechnical Assessment, Wetlands Delineation, Endangered Species Report, Archeological/Historical Report. Maximum building size - 200,000 square feet
18
LOADING
±21,000DOCK SF PROPERTY BOUNDARY (150' x 140')
BUILDING THREE
±60,000 SF (400' x 150') FFE: ±590.9' JONESVILLE HWY
SWB
SWB DOCK LOADING ±43,000 SF ±49,500 SF (550' x 430') ±237,000 SF (430' x 100') FFE: ±643.3' RAIL DOCK (330' x 150') BUILDING ONE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD
PROPERTY BOUNDARY
±1,040 LINEAR FEET
OF RAIL SPUR LINE SWB
±42,000 SF ±42,000 (300' x 140') x (300' ±80,000 SF (400' x 200')
FFE: ±641.3' BUILDING TWO DOCK LOADING
LEGEND
DISTURBED AREA (±36.4-ACRES) JONESVILLE HWY UNDISTURBED AREA (±36.6-ACRES) PINELAND ROAD
JURISDICTIONAL POND
JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND
JURISDICTIONAL TRIBUTARY-PERENNIAL
NOTES: PINELAND ROAD GRAPHIC SCALE 1. ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE. 18 250 0 125 250 500 2. EXISTING 2008 LiDAR TOPOGRAPHY OBTAINED FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (SCDNR) ON JULY 19, 2019 AND BASED ON (1 INCH = 250 FEET) 5-FOOT CONTOURS. CIVIL ENGINEER: 3. PARCEL BOUNDARIES OBTAINED FROM UNION COUNTY GIS ON JANUARY 03, 2019 AND ARE APPROXIMATE. DANIEL S. WARRICK, P.E. (NC) CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN FOR 3 INDUSTRIAL [email protected] 4. WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND PONDS SHOWN OBTAINED FROM A JURISDICTIONAL KATHY JO LANCASTER BUILDINGS (±237,000 SF, ±80,000 SF AND ±60,000 FEATURES STUDY PERFORMED BY S&ME, DATED APRIL 12, 2017. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 148 RIVER STREET, SUITE 220 GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29601 SF) ON THE ±73-ACRE CUDD PROPERTY 5. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OBTAINED FROM GOOGLE EARTH PRO ON JANUARY 03, 2019, 207 SOUTH HERNDON STREET PHONE 864-421-9999 DATED APRIL 20, 2018. UNION, SOUTH CAROLINA 29379 www.synterracorp.com LOCATED AT 1644 JONESVILLE HIGHWAY IN [email protected] 6. PARKING LOT SIZED APPROXIMATELY FOR 185, 40, AND 65 PARKING SPACES (9'X18') DRAWN BY: J. LEE DATE: 7/19/2019 CHECKED BY: C. COWN UNION COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA FOR BUILDINGS ONE, TWO AND THREE, RESPECTIVELY. PHONE 864.319.1097 G:\MARKET\UNION COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD\CUDD PROPERTY\AUTOCAD\(RAIL) CUDD PROPERTY - CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN.DWG PROJECT MANAGER: D. WARRICK LAYOUT: CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN - RAIL LAYOUT TAX MAP ID: 055-00-00-084 000 7. STORMWATER BASINS (SWB) ARE APPROXIMATELY SIZED AS SHOWN. 7/19/2019 12:49 PM
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7777 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.9 Mac Johnson Industrial Park
7878 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mac Johnson Industrial Park
Existing Facilities Location - 2 miles NW of US176/SC215 Intersection, NE of US 176, Highpoint Drive Acres - 16 Minimum size available for purchase - 7 acres Maximum size available for purchase - 16 acres Current land use - light industrial, residential, and school Utilities - Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Telecommunications Closest interstate - I-26, 23 miles CSX Intermodial Facility, Charlotte - 90 miles Port of Charleston - 187 miles Greenville Spartanburg International Airport - 46 miles Troy Shelton Field Airport - 6.8 miles
Proposed Facilities Due diligence complete - Phase I, Geotechnical Assessment, Wetlands Delineation, Protected Species Assessment, Topographical Survey, Boundary Survey, Cultural Resource Identification Survey. Maximum building size - undetermined
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7979 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7.10 Union Commerce Park
8080 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Union Commerce Park
Existing Facilities Location - 2 miles N of Union, E of US 176 Acres - 46.6, 30 developable Minimum size available for purchase - 45.6 acres Maximum size available for purchase - 46.6 acres Current land use - light industrial Utilities - Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, and Telecommunications Closest interstate - I-26, 23 miles NS Greer - 39 miles Inland Port, Greer - 39 miles Port of Charleston - 180 miles Greenville Spartanburg International Airport - 43 miles Troy Shelton Field Airport - 6.3 miles
Proposed Facilities Due diligence complete - Phase I, Geotechnical Assessment, Wetlands Delineation, Protected Species Assessment, Topographical Survey, Boundary Survey, Cultural Resource Identification Survey. Maximum building size - 165,000 square feet
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 81 81 CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Foster a strong, diverse economy that supports a wide variety of businesses and enterprises.
Planning Objectives 1. Increase collaboration and interaction among all economic development partners to forge a stronger, more regionally complementary approach to economic development. 2. Increase the diversity and adaptability of the local workforce’s skillset. 3. Improve synergy and efficiency of various economic development organizations within Union County. 4. Improve the quantity and quality of available workforce.
Action Strategies A. Partner with local professionals and community leadership groups to assess economic development needs of Union County and to develop an unified vision for future economic development progression. (on-going) B. Partner with local educational and training institutions to research, develop, and implement training programs that meet skillset needs of the national industry. (on-going) C. Develop a marketing plan than leverages differential advantage of Union County and compatibility within the region. (on-going) D. Develop plan to merge the Tourism Department, Economic Development Department, and Chamber of Commerce into a new countywide economic development entity. (long-term) E. Leverage Union County Community Scholarship to attract graduating high school seniors to technical training programs. (on-going) F. Expand technical training opportunities to Union campus of Spartanburg Community College. (on-going) G. Expand and incentivize use of adult and youth apprenticeships among existing industry within Union County. (mid-term) H. Expand utilization of entry level workforce development programs such as Operation Workforce Training within Union County. (on-going) I. Identify U.S. regions with lower levels of economic development activity and actively market job opportunities in Union County to those regions. (mid-term) J. Expand the Career and Technology Education Center. (on-going)
Goal Increase the level of industrial economic development activity in Union County.
Planning Objective 1. Foster an industrial economic environment that is conducive to supporting and growing industry in Union County.
Action Strategies A.. Expand industrial grade sewer from the City of Union to the Trakas Industrial site. (short-term) B. Develop long-term solutions for water and sewer infrastructure in the Lockhart and Carlisle communities. (long-
8282 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
term) C.. Widen Highway 49 to a four-lane divided roadway from the City of Union to I-26. (long-term) D. Develop five- and ten-year industrial product development plans that identify estimated capital requirements, targeted industrial sectors, and product specifications. (on-going) E. Develop a countywide water and sewer authority. (mid-term)
Goal Increase level of commercial economic development activity in Union County.
Planning Objective 1. Foster a business environment that is conducive to supporting local entrepreneurship and growing local businesses.
Action Strategies A. Update and maintain buildings and facilities that can be marketed for local business development. (on-going) B. Offer incentives to businesses, such as tax breaks or rent waivers, to attract businesses to the County. (on-going) C. Develop five- and ten-year commercial product development plans that identify estimated capital requirements, targeted commercial sectors, and product specifications. (on-going) D. Develop public private partnerships to execute commercial product development plan. (on-going) E. Develop joint city/county incentive plans to support commercial product development plan. (on-going) F. Develop countywide water and sewer authority. (mid-term) G. Develop countywide fire authority. (short-term)
Goal Upgrade and maintain existing technology infrastructure to promote new industries and businesses.
Planning Objective 1. Increase broadband throughout Union County and industrial areas to offer higher internet speed capabilities.
Action Strategies A. Partner with local telecommunication companies to apply for federal grants and loans to install new lines at reasonable prices. (short-to mid-term) B. . Survey the local businesses, current industries, and community members to analyze the effectiveness of the current services supplied. (short-term)
Goal Attract new industries and businesses while preserving and protecting the agricultural presence.
Planning Objectives 1. Create additional certified industrial sites located in centers throughout the County, and develop and implement additional strategies to enhance business recruitment, retention, and local entrepreneurship. 2. Regulate designated areas of growth throughout Union County.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 8383 Action Strategy A. Identify and prepare sites that can be developed for commercial and industrial use. (on-going)
This page left blank intentionally.
8484 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
CHAPTER 8 CULTURAL RESOURCES
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 8585 CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 8 Cultural Resources
PURPOSE The purpose of the Cultural Resources element is to consider local history, archaeological resources, and other cultural resources that enrich communities. Cultural resources are important because they provide residents with a sense of identity and heritage. Cultural resources are typically buildings, sites, features, structures, or locations with historic or cultural value that often shape the development of the community.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Historic and cultural resources are important to Union County’s identity, and maintaining these assets adds value for residents and attracts visitors. The Cultural Resources element establishes goals and strategies that enhance and expand cultural heritage, protect and preserve resources from development, and create opportunities for the community to learn about cultural assets.
Union County is fortunate to have a number of sites and structures that are important historic reminders. The first European settlement of this region was established circa 1750 along the Pacolet River and Fairforest Creek. During this time, the Cherokee Indians inhabited the section of the Piedmont west of the Broad River. Many of these earliest settlers were Scots-Irish Presbyterians from Pennsylvania, and other early settlers included groups of Quakers and Baptists. The area around the present City of Union was first settled around 1754 or 1755. There were intermittent conflicts between the Cherokees and the settlers over land until 1763, when a peace agreement was reached. Despite the peace agreement, settlement of Indian land increased in Union County to such an extent that the Cherokees moved to the mountainous areas to the west.
In addition to being home to conflicts between Native Americans and settlers, the area that made up present day Union County was also the site of much tension between Patriots and Whigs during the Revolutionary War period as many Whigs and others loyal to the Crown lived locally. Thus, numerous conflicts, including several major battles, occurred in Union County during the revolutionary period.
HISTORIC SITES Musgrove Mill Battle Site (left image) and Byrd Murphy House (right image). Photos by SC Department of Archives and History.
8686 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
ROSE HILL PLANTATION PICKNEYVILLE OLD STORE REAR ELEVATION SC State Park. Photo by Everett Leigh. Photo by SC Department of Archives and History. Table 8.1 National Register Properties
Name Address Acreage Year Blackstock Battle Site West of Union, off of SC 49 540 1780 Musgrove Mill Battle Site SC Route 56 380 1780 Byrd Murphy House SC 49/Cedar Bluff 4 1790 Cross Keys House SW of Union on SC 49 5 1814 Union County Jail 220 W. Main Street 0.9 1823 Rose Hill Plantation Nine miles SW of Union, US 176 44 1826 Meng House 117 Academy Street 1 1832 Union Community Hospital 213 W. Main Street 2 1832 Padgett’s Creek Church Two miles E of Cross Keys, SC 18 14 1844 Herndon Terrace 109 Herndon Terrace 9.9 1845 Episcopal Church of the Nativity Church and Pinckney Streets 2 1855 Merridun 100 Merridun Place 4 1855 Culp House 300 N. Mountain Street 2 1857 Judge Thomas Dawkins House Dawkins Court, N of E. Main Street 0.3 1865 Gov. Thomas B. Jeter House 203 Thompson Blvd. 2 1890 Central Graded School 309 Academy Street 2 1891 Corinth Baptist Church N. Herndon Street 0.9 1894 Carnegie Free Library 300 E. South Street 1903 McWhirter House 415 Pacolet Street 0 1909 Fair Forest Hotel 221 E. Main Street 0.9 1924 Union High School-Main Street Grammar School E. Main and N. Church Streets 1.5 - Pinckneyville 13 miles NE of Union on SC 13 1.8 - Means House Two miles SW of Jonesville, SC 12 20 - Source: SC Department of Archives and History
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 8787 CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
Figure 8.1 Cultural Resources Plan Legend In 1785, two years after the American Revolution ended, the South Carolina Legislature established Union County Map ID Name as a governmental unit. Soon after, the Courthouse and 1 Central Graded School Jail were the first public buildings to be constructed, and 2 Culp House around these first two public facilities, “Unionville” grew 3 Dawkins, Judge Thomas, House into a town. 4 Episcopal Church of the Nativity 5 Fair Forest Hotel Many historical and archaeological sites exist in Union County. The county’s archaeological sites range from 6 Meng House ancient Indian camp sites to the foundations of buildings 7 Union County Jail from the 1800s and early 1900s. Archaeological sites 8 Union High School--Main Street Grammar School hold important information about past human activities 9 Corinth Baptist Church and cultures. Thus, any development plans will preserve 10 Herndon Terrace these cultural resources for future generations. 11 Jeter, Gov. Thomas B., House 12 Merridun Historic sites are scattered throughout Union County. A Historic Sites Survey was prepared by the Catawba 13 Cross Keys House Regional Council of Governments in 1976. A formal 14 Pinckneyville inventory of all historic sites would identify all structures 15 Union Community Hospital over 50 years old and make some preliminary judgements 16 McWhirter House on their historical value. The National Register of Historic 17 Blackstock Battle Site Places documents historic properties and is maintained by 18 Means House the U. S. Department of the Interior in cooperation with 19 Byrd Murphy House the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Table 8.1 National Register Properties lists Union County 20 Musgrove Mill Battle Site properties that are included in the National Register, and 21 Padgett’s Creek Church their locations are shown on Figure 8.1 Cultural Resources 22 Rose Hill Plantation
HISTORIC SITE HISTORIC SITE Union County Jail. Photo by the SC Department of Archives and History. Means House. Photo by the SC Department of Archives and History.
8888 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
Figure 8.1 Cultural Resources Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 8989 CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
Plan. Because a formal inventory of historic properties has not been completed,additional significant historical resources may not be listed.
Union County Jail, built in 1823, is located on Main Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Jail is granite ashlar construction with an average wall width of 21 inches thick. This facility was designed by renowned South Carolina native architect Robert Mills, who is nationally known for his design of the Washington Monument. Mr. Mills was an advocate for fireproof construction to insure prisoner safety and decent jail living conditions that included adequate ventilation and no basements. While serving as the Federal Architect, he designed the Old Treasury, the U.S. Post Office Building, and the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. In addition to the Union County Jail design, Robert Mills designed the original Union County Courthouse built in 1823. The original facility designed by Mills was removed in 1911, and the current Unon County Courthouse was designed that same year by Anthony Ten Eyck Brown.
Specific sites that demonstrate African American heritage in Union County include, but are not limited to, the following: Carlisle-Santuc Elementary School, Corinth Baptist Church, Poplar Grove Elementary School, Sims High School, and Union Community Hospital. Carlisle-Santuc Elementary School was located at the present day Renaissance Park in the Santuc community. The school was one of South Carolina’s Equalization Schools constructed during 1951-1960.
Corinth Baptist Church, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on North Herndon Street. Built in 1894, the church was the first black congregation in Union. The church is significant for African American religious heritage and for the architectural styles of places of worship constructed during that period.
Poplar Grove Elementary School is located at 109 Tinker Creek Road, Union and was 1 of 17 African American schools built in Union County during 1918 – 1930. The school had many features of a Rosenwald School, although there is no evidence
HISTORIC SITES Poplar Grove Elementary School (uppper image), and Sims High School(lower image), and Corinth Baptist Church.. Photos by SC Department of Archives and History.
9090 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES of financial support from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. The school was originally a four-room schoolhouse with an additional room added in 1941. The added room remains today as a private residence and is the last remaining structure of any of the original 17 African American schools in Union County. According to the Green Book of South Carolina, Poplar Grove produced the largest number of college graduates (10) of any African American school in Union County.
Sims High School, constructed in 1927 on Union Boulevard, Union, was named for Rev. A.A. Sims (1872-1965) who founded the first black high school in Union County. Sims School educated blacks from Union County and surrounding counties until the early 1970s and was the first state-accredited high school for African American students in the upstate. Rev. Sims served as the school principal between 1927-1951, and the school included grades 6 through 11 until 1949, at which point 12th grade was added. In 1956, the school moved to a new building on Sims Drive. Notable alumni include the first black head coach in NCAA Division I-A football, the first coach of a black college basketball team in the National Invitational Tournament, and the first black chief of chaplains of the United States Army. Sims High School closed in 1970 with the desegregation of Union County schools, but this building was used for Sims Middle School during 1970-2009. A new Sims Middle School, on Whitmire Highway, opened in 2009.
Union Community Hospital, located at 213 West Main Street, Union, was constructed as a house in 1915 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility served the black community of Union County and the surrounding region for nearly five decades from 1932 to 1975. Dr. L.W. Long converted the building into a hospital in 1932 with the support of several local churches. Dr. Long, born in 1906 in Union County, graduated from Howard University and Meharry Medical School. Throughout his life, Dr. Long served Union County as a champion of medicine and public health and a civic leader. Dr. Long was named S.C. Doctor of the Year in 1957, was National Doctor of the Year in 1958, and was a technical advisor on the Medicare program to President John F. Kennedy. He developed the Union Community Recreation Center on Foster Street with an olympic-size swimming pool, a community room, a skating rink, basketball courts, and a ball park for African Amercian youth. Dr Long died in 1985, and the Unon Community Hospital facility is now managed by the Friends of the Library. Additional dscriptions of Union County historic sites and facilities are detailed in Appendix B, Existing Conditions.
UNION COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Photo by SC Department of Archives and History.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 91 91 CHAPTER 8 | CULTURAL RESOURCES
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Preserve and maintain sites and structures that serve as significant, visible connections to Union County’s cultural, social, and architectural past.
Planning Objectives 1. Identify funding sources, both private and public, to preserve and reuse culturally significant properties. 2. Emphasize preservation and adaptive reuse as the preferred approach to the management of historic properties.
Action Strategies A. Evaluate properties for new historic designations and districts. (on-going) B. Secure funding for improvement of designated historic properties and rehabilitation of significant structures, such as the Sims and Lockhart schools, Union County Jail, and other resources. (short-term) C. Ensure new development reflects the character and historic references of the site when preservation or adaptive reuse are not possible. (on-going)
Goal Build the cultural foundations by involving broad segments of the community in the production, support, and presentation of cultural programs.
Planning Objectives 1. Expand access to all cultural programs. 2. Promote various modes of transportation connecting residents with cultural resources.
Action Strategies A. Promote and develop cultural programs for residents of all ages, including theatrical, musical, dance, and other performing arts activities. (on-going) B. Develop cultural programs and presentations specific to African American history in Union County. (on-going) C. Provide infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit. (mid-term)
9292 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
CHAPTER 9 NATURAL RESOURCES
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9393 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
CHAPTER 9 NATURAL RESOURCES
PURPOSE The purpose of the Natural Resources element is to plan for the conservation and enjoyment of Union County’s natural resources. The element addresses the existing conditions of the water supply and water quality, soils, and open space. The goals of the element include protecting important natural resources, enhancing watersheds and their associated rivers and streams, and reducing negative impacts on air quality and sensitive habitats.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Union County values its natural resources and hillsides, creeks, and open spaces. These natural resources provide healthy habitat cores and corridors for a variety of plant and animal species and provide the community access to nature and scenic resources. Water and air are important resources that are critical to sustaining a healthy population and growing economy. The American Planning Association notes in Homegrown Success that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported in 2015 that small, rural communities can build success through “assets that offer the best opportunities for growth and develop strategies to support them.” Union County’s natural resources are a core asset and provide pathways for recreation and outdoor rural economic development growth. Union County is bordered on the north by the Pacolet River, to the east by the Broad River, and to the south by
ENOREE RIVER PALM TRAIL BRIDGE Photo by the U.S. Forest Service.
9494 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
the Enoree and the Tyger Rivers. These blueway trails, greenways, and parks surrounded by forest lands and waterways are noted in Figure 9.1 Trails, Parks, and Blueways Corridors Plan. The plan proposes a blueway/greenway river trail system along the Pacelot, Broad, Tyger, and Enoree rivers at the boundaries of Union County.
Union County received a grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Recreational Trails Program to develop the Flat Stack Trail in Lockhart, a 1.5 mile walking and biking trail from the planned boat landing north of the Lockhart Dam south to Canal Road and along a future park around the former mill site. The total project cost was $250,000, with $200,000 from the Recreational Trail Program and $50,000 in local funds.
The Sumter National Forest is located in southern Union County and contributes to the abundance of natural resources in Union County. The U.S. Forest Service provides opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy nature and the outdoors through several amenities. These include a target range, two hiking trails, two camping areas, five fishing sites, and eleven river accesses along the Broad, Enoree, and Tyger rivers. Many U.S. Forest lands are held in conservation easements as protected open spaces.
Calhoun Experimental Forest has been in place since 1947 and is a focus for long-term soil and water degradation research within the Sumter National Forest. The research location provides the public with hunting opportunities and access to the Tyger River to enjoy fishing, canoing, and kayaking.
The U.S. Forest Service has a Conservation Land Use Agreement (CLUA) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that has resulted in restoration on existing forest lands and the transfer of restored private lands for long term management in accordance with the forest plan. The Enoree Ranger District has many restoration opportunities for public-private partnerships to improve habitat conditions threatened by erodible soils and incised streams.
Sumter National Forest was the location of the first state-designated and first in the southern region Quail Focus Area. The designation was established under the national Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative. The Patriots Lake project was proposed almost two decades ago due to SUMTER NATIONAL FOREST Enoree River Bridge (upper image); Sedalia Lake (middle image); and concerns of an interruption of the Broad River water supply. Patriots Sedalia Campground 6 (lower image). Photos by the U.S. Forest Service.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9595 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.1 Trails, Parks, and Blueways Corridors Plan
9696 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Lake origins were also linked to the projected 10 million gallons per day of water supply that would be generated from the reservoir. Union County requested assistance in 2003 from the Corps of Engineers Charleston District and the Concept Study began in 2007 through a technical assistance agreement for the Regional Water Supply Reservoir proposed at the confluence of Fairforest Creek with the Tyger River.
The Corps of Engineers considered the existing water system and conducted a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, geotechnical analysis, economical analysis, and an environmental analysis. The next step for a Regional Water Supply Reservoir in Union County is compiling the adequate data needed to complete a Benefit-to-Cost Ratio to determine the feasibility of Patriots Lake. Due to the majority of the land being owned by the Sumter National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service would have to agree to the development of the lake and reservoir. The Concept Study estimated the 2007 total cost for Patriots Lake at $187 million plus $13.7 million average annual costs.
In South Carolina, 80 dams have failed since 2005 due to flooding and hurricanes. Dams that are no longer benefiting local communities are being evaluated and removed, such as the Conaree Creek dam in Lexington County that was removed in May 2019; however, new dams are still being proposed such as the Paulding County dam north of Atlanta. The dam recently received permits to construct the project after approximately two decades of planning, a complicated and lengthy process.
When considering the existing water system of the Broad River, the Corps of Engineers determined in 2007 that “the Broad River is an excellent source of water with an average minimum 7-day flow of 142 million gallons daily over a 93-year period.” In 2004, the capacity of the water treatment plant ranged 29% to 37% of total capacity. Summaries of the data collected during the technical analysis by the Corps of Engineers are reflected below:
• Hydrologic and Hydraulic: The Corps of Engineers conducted a flood frequency analysis based on the Probable Maximum Flood and the Probable Maximum Precipitation for the watershed area of the proposed reservoir. It was determined that a small hydropower facility could probably be allowed by the proposed lake; however, hydropower features were not included in the analysis due to “uncertainties about the type of dam, storage available for hydropower specifically, and sufficient watershed yield to support dependable energy needs.” The Corps of Engineers did note that contractual energy requirements considered for a multipurpose reservoir would deplete the lake “significantly more than those elevations shown in the water supply section of their report during periods of drought.”
• Geotechnical: The proposed dam is 100 feet in height at the stream bank elevation, and the dam and reservoir as proposed would cover approximately 5,342 acres and have a shoreline of 137 miles in length. The dam location consist of “the Piedmont physiographic province, a plateau of primarily highly complex metamorphic and plutonic rock structure” and is located in area of former earthquake activity. Embankment erosion control will be necessary upstream and also downstream for some distance “due to the high erodibility of the soils.” Two million cubic yards of fill were estimated to be required for the embankment for the earthen dam. The Corps of Engineers estimated the construction costs in 2007 to be approximately $150 million with an additional $2.0 million needed annually to operate and maintain the dam and reservoir.
• Economical: The Corps of Engineers considered water supply and demand for six counties including Union, Cherokee, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, and Spartanburg until 2030. Based on the analysis conducted, the Corps of Engineers concluded that the “present water supply systems within the six studied counties have sufficient capacity to meet the projected growth.” Further analysis of real estate along the lake determined tax revenues in 2006 dollars for 250
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9797 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
homes at $1.2 million and for 500 homes at $2.5 million. Based on current land ownership, 250 homes were estimated could be constructed, and with land exchanges with the Sumter National Forest, up to 500 homes could be constructed. Tax revenues were THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES developed based on 3,000 square foot $500,000 homes. The Carolina Darter (image above) is an member of the perch family, Percidae, and the Bald Eagle (image below) is the only species of sea eagle in North America. • Environmental: During the study, workshops and correspondence Carolina Darter Photo by Fred Rohde and the Bald Eagle were done with federal and state agencies and non-profit Photo by Tom Murphy, SCDNR. organizations. The Corps of Engineers determined that the necessary environmental studies and the development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would cost $10.6 million and almost a decade to complete. These reports are in addition to the engineering studies that will be required to design the reservoir.
Federally or state-listed threatened and endangered species within Union County include the species listed in Table 9.1, Threatened and Endangered Species. These species are identified in the South Carolina Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and in the Heritage Trust database for South Carolina. These species have been reported in various locations in Union County. It is important to note that Table 9.1 is not a comprehensive biological inventory of all Threatened and Endangered Species and additional field work is required for individual projects. Federally listed species are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Table 9.1 Threatened and Endangered Species Freshwater Fish Status Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis) High priority species Seagreen Darter (Etheostoma thalassinum) High priority species Highback Chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) Moderate priority species Sandbar Shiner (Notropis scepticus) Moderate priority species Greenfin Shiner (Cyprinella chloristia) Moderate priority species Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides) Moderate priority species Freshwater Mussels Carolina Lance (Elliptio angustata) Moderate priority species Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) Moderate priority species Eastern Creekshell (Villosa delumbis) Moderate priority species Special Protections Georgia Aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) Federal Candidate Species Bald Eagle State Threatened, Federally Protected Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act Tricolored Bat Federal At-risk Species Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2018
9898 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.2 Habitat Corridors
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9999 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Green infrastructure includes open spaces, forests, parks, and trails that are a connected network that provides corridors for wildlife migration. Habitat cores are large blocks of intact habitat and include a central core that is undisturbed and edge areas that serve as a buffer from development. These areas are reflected in Figure 9.2, Habitat Corridors, and the data sources include the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Green Infrastructure Center, and the South Atlantic Conservation Blueprint. The breakdown of the acres for habitat cores and species are as follows: Habitat Cores Large, 32,728.5 acres; Medium, 71,495.9 acres; Small, 54,163.7 acres; Fragment, 14,952.8 acres; and Threatened and Endangered Species, 49,742.7 acres.
The South Atlantic Conservation Blueprint is a spatial plan that identifies priority areas for conservation across parts of six states, from southern Virginia to northern Florida. Data from the South Atlantic Conservation Blueprint (Version 2.2) was considered in conjunction with habitat cores developed by the Green Infrastructure Center. Figure 9.3 Priority Conservation Areas shows data combined from both sources and notes locations most important for consideration for natural resources in Union County.
A few key areas of Union County have intact natural habitat buffers surrounding rivers and streams. Figure 9.4 Riparian Buffers show areas with intact riparian buffers that represent key conservation opportunities as well as areas with less natural buffer that would be good candidates for restoration to improve water quality. Figure 9.5 Aquatic Connectivity shows most rivers and streams are well-connected, which represent important aquatic conservation opportunities. A few areas along the Enoree River and west of Lockhart between SC Highway 49 and SC Highway 9 need restoration projects to strengthen aquatic connectivity. Restoration projects will enhance fish passage along the Enoree River and may include barrier removal.
Soils impact the suitability of land uses, such as farming, residential, commercial, or industrial, and soils in Union County are described in Appendix B Existing Conditions. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Quality, three active animal farms and one inactive animal farm are located in Union County. These locations are reflected in Figure 9.6 Animal Farms. The active animal farms include an egg production farm, a poultry farm, and a turkey farm.
CALHOUN EXPERIMENTAL FOREST ENOREE RIVER Photo by the U.S. Forest Service. Photo by the U.S. Forest Service.
100100 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.3 Priority Conservation Areas
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 101 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.4 Riparian Buffers
102102 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.5 Aquatic Connectivity
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 103103 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 9.6 Animal Farms
104104 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Preserve, Enhance, and Expand Access to Natural Resources
Planning Objectives 1. Coordinate with local agencies and private land holders to explore all possible resources for the public acquisition of permanent open space and new recreational opportunities. 2. Expand access to and enjoyment of the Sumter National Forest.
Action Strategies A. Encourage the utilization of Sumter National Forest resources and amenities, such as campgrounds, trails, and access points to blueways. (short-term) B. Develop new trails that continue the Palmetto Trail, the Flat Stack Trail, and the Union Memorial Trail, and provide greenways along the Broad, Enoree, and Pacolet rivers. (short- to mid-term)
Goal Improve Water Quality and Resources
Planning Objectives 1. Concentrate new development in areas that are least susceptible to erosion into water bodies to reduce water pollution. 2. Promote stormwater management techniques that minimize surface water runoff in public and private developments. 3. Encourage private property owners to conserve water and plant native or drought-tolerant vegetation in order to
SEDALIA LAKE BROAD RIVER Photo by the U.S. Forest Service. Photo by Union County Visitors Bureau.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 105105 CHAPTER 9 | NATURAL RESOURCES
reduce the need for irrigation.
Action Strategies A. Evaluate the development of a lake project (i.e. Patriots Lake) as a means for recreation, hunting, and fishing and to be used as a water reservoir to house water for human consumption. (short-term) B. Rebrand John D. Long Lake and develop for camping and recreation. (short- to mid-term) C. Work with local and regional partners to improve and restore surface water to its natural condition. (short-term) D. Require the use of low-impact development techniques to best manage stormwater and minimizing impermeable surfaces. (on-going)
Goal Protect, Enhance, and Restore Natural Resources
Planning Objectives 1. Encourage the protection of mature, native tree species to support the ecosystem, provide shade, and enhance the aesthetics of new and existing development. 2. Protect riparian habitat corridors by requiring sufficient setbacks for new development adjacent to creek slopes; maintaining natural and continuous creek corridor vegetation; and protecting plant communities from the adverse effect of increased stormwater runoff, erosion, and sedimentation.
Action Strategies A. Protect native wildlife habitats by limiting or avoiding new development that encroaches into important native habitat areas; limits the range of the protected species; or creates barriers that cut off access to food, water, or shelter of listed or protected species. (short-term)
106106 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 107107 CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
CHAPTER 10 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
PURPOSE Public facilites include utility infrastructure, recreation, public safety, and other services that enhance personal well- being, community resiliency, and quality of life. Utility infrastructure supports existing populations and provides for residential growth and economic development. Emergency services protect the community from crime, fire, medical, and other similar events. Park and recreation facilities provide for residents and visitors to live active, healthy lifestyles. Excellent education facilities, such as the library, are important facilities that contribute to a high quality of life of Union County residents.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Community facilities provide spaces for interaction for residents through education, recreation, and government resources, such as library spaces and community centers. Facilities and services in Union County include but are not limited to Animal Control, Airport, Building Safety, Detention Center, Emergency Medical Services, Magistrate Court, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Recycling, Sheriff, Tax Assesor, and Veterans Affairs. Union County facilities and programs are all described in Appendix B Existing Conditions. Figure B.12 Community Facilities reflects the location of all Union County facilities and services. The Union County Library System is an example of community partnerships and collaboration. The Library has expanded community services available at each of the library facilities by adding staff and improving access to technology. The Library continues to look for opportunities to provide widespread high quality internet access throughout Union County through increased library partnership services. Workforce development and educational resources are available at the Library through partnerships with USC Union and the Union County School District. The Library is also continuing to identify funding sources to be able to expand support services for at-risk youth and returning citizens as well as partnering with the Union Medical Center to improve access to health resources. The Union County Carnegie Library was recognized for its achievements as the 2009 Best Small Library in America by Library Journal and as a finalist for the 2019 Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal for Museum and
UNION COUNTY LIBRARY - HISTORIC CARNEGIE Library Service. Photo by Union County Library System.
108108 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
During Comprehensive Plan community engagement meetings, residents identified many community facilities and services important for the future of Union County. These ideas are noted in Appendix A Community Engagement. The most noted community facilites included medical treatment facilities, such as urgent care, EMS, and fire departments, for outlying areas and recreation facilities that could be used for all ages and bring all people together. Examples include walking trails, outdoor movies, etc. Other important facilities noted included an emergency/police substation, community centers, digital infrastructure, trails, transportation, and Sims School.
Some facilities and properties are identified as brownfield sites and may have the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Brownfield assessment projects can evaluate properties, plan for redevelopment, and attract private redevelopment interest. Environmental assessment work is underway for the Wellington Leisure Jonesville Mill and the Buffalo Mill sites in Union County. The environmental assessment work is a part of a 2018 Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant received by Catawba Regional Council of Governments. Work completed on the Jonesville Mill site included a Phase II environmental report, a Wetlands Assessment report, and an asbestos survey. A Phase II assessment will be completed on a portion PROGRAMS AND EVENTS of the Buffalo Mill site which consists of four parcels. Grant Union Library System’s STEM Middle School Camp and Read to Succeed funds will be utilized to complete a Phase II Environmental Program. Photos by Union Library System (images above). Rural Summit. Photo by Union County Visitor’s Bureau (image below). Site Assessment on the publically used parcel and consider redevelopment possibilites.
In 2019, the Union County Transit Feasibility Study was completed by AECOM with support from a South Carolina Department of Transportation State Mass Transit Grant. The study was done in partnership with the City of Union and the towns of Carlisle, Jonesville, and Lockhart. Steering Committee meetings, surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and a peer workshop were conducted, and it was determined that public transportation services are needed to address transportation barriers and increase mobility. A public transportation program can address inequalities and provide residents with more opportunities and access to services.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 109109 CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The three recommendations from the Transit Feasibility Study were based on employment and demographic data, community engagement, and available funding sources. The initial recommended transit service is Demand Response that provides door-to-door service and serves all trip purposes for residents throughout Union County. The service would only be available for a limited period of time during the day due to constraints in funding. After the three-year pilot project, the study recommended the transit service be extended for longer periods. Other recommended mid- to long-term transit programs included a Vanpool Program for employees and employers and an Express Route Service providing trips to Spartanburg from Union. Currently, Union County is considering operational options such as 1) in-house operations, 2) turn-key contract, and 3) hybrid administration and operations. Other steps for implementation of the transit system include a detailed operations plan and a marketing plan.
Table 10.1 Planned County Facilities and Projects and Table 10.2 Planned School District Facilities and Projects reflect planned improvements to community facilities in Union County.
Table 10.1 Planned County Facilities and Projects Facility Project Type and Estimated Cost Airport Terminal New Modern Terminal with Conference Room / $750,000 Buffalo Mill Park Historic-Recreaton / $700,000 Chrysler Building Renovation / $1M Communications Upgrades 800 Radio Migration / $2M County Administrative Office Renovated South State Bank Building / $750,000 Development of Cudd Property Economic Development / $4.1M Housing Development Public-Private Partnership / $2M Industrial Wastewater Highway 176 to Jonesville City of Union Wastewater Line Extension / $6M John D. Long Lake Rebranding / Recreational Facilities New Lake and Nature-Based Tourism Asset / $500,000 Jonesville Municipal Building and Community Center Historic-Community Mixed Use and Business Incubator / $750,000 Midway Green Alternate Road Economic Development / $1M Animal Shelter New Modern Shelter Facility / $400,000 County Detention Center New Facility / $15M Old Jail Restoration Historic-Tourism / $300,000 Sims Art and Community Center Historic-Support Arts and Community Development / $1.5M Stadium Phase III, IV Visitor Stand Upgrades and Repurpose Baseball Stands / $1.5M Timken Sports Complex Phase II Additional Fields and Parking and Walking Trail / $2M Union Family Entertainment Center Recreation Dept Entertainment Complex / $3M Warehouse Spec Building and Parking Economic Development / $3M Source: Union County, 2019
110110 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Table 10.2 Planned School District Facilities and Projects District-Wide Facilities Project Type and Estimated Cost Architectural Design Removal of Portable Classrooms and New Student Activity Space / $5M-$10M Construction General Maintenance Updates that include LED Lighting, Paint, Flooring, Furniture, Networks / $225,000 Playgrounds Improvements / $75,000 Student Activity Buses New Purchases / $200,000 Source: Union County School District
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Provide well-maintained and high quality community facilities, services, and programs.
Planning Objectives 1. Ensure community facilities and services are maintained in a fiscally responsible manner. 2. Coordinate with outside service providers to ensure services provided enhance quality of life for residents. 3. Ensure water service is available for current and future residents in a cost-efficient manner. 4. Identify community resources needed to protect residents and critical infrastructure in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
Action Strategies A. Develop a Capital Improvements Program that implements the capital recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. (short-term) B. Ensure that new development contributes its fair share of the community facility related costs that are associated with growth. (short-term) C. Ensure capacity for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment is sufficient to serve current and future needs of Union County. (short-term) D. Provide an adequate and cost-effective solid waste collection and disposal system that also encourages County residents to reduce, re-use, and recycle. (on-going) E. Maintain and enhance recreation opportunities at park and fields as well as open space to meet recreation needs. (on-going) F. Provide for exceptional fire and police services and facilities that adequately protect the health, life, livelihood, and property within Union County. (on-going) G. Evaluate public buildings to enhance space, function, and appearance. (on-going) H. Develop a communications program using website, pamphlets, and articles in the local media to increase public education on community facilities. (on-going) I. Identify and develop a plan to retrofit critical facilities and install backup generators as necessary. (mid-term) J. Evaluate the feasibility of and identify potential funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) P-361 Community Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes, as such facilities may be stand-alone structures or incorporated into school facilities or on other community assets and facilities. (mid-term)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 111111 CHAPTER 10 | COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Goal Provide equitable access for all residents to community facilities, services, and programs.
Planning Objectives 1. Provide all residents equitable access to community facilities. 2. Promote various modes of transportation connecting residents with community facilities.
Action Strategies A. Promote and develop community facilities for residents of all ages, including library satellite locations, parks, and recreation facilities. (on-going) B. Establish a regional African American museum for Union County. (short- to mid-term) C. Develop a public transit system. (on-going) D. Partner with agencies to provide a mobile Farmers Market for food deserts in Union County. (short-term)
112 112 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
CHAPTER 11 HEALTH
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 113 CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
CHAPTER 11 HEALTH
PURPOSE The health of a community for residents and the environment relies on the effectiveness of public policy, community design, and the distribution of public and other community resources. According to the American Planning Association, Healthy Communities Policy Guide, 2017, non-medical factors are important for health. Union County Health Ranking and Roadmaps Report notes that “only 20% of the factors that account for the length and quality of life are attributed to access to and quality of medical care.” Where a person lives impacts their overall quality of life and length of life. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides information by zip code that shows how individuals living in nearby geographic locations can vary greatly in projected life expectancy due to the differences in access to healthy foods, active living, safe and noise free environments, and clean air and water.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY The Build Healthy Places Network, Summarizing the Landscape of Healthy Communities Report, states that access to medical care is a component to health but the built environment affects the health of residents in a community. Communities in America are experiencing the highest level of poverty in the last fifty years, with one in six Americans now living in poverty. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color often have the greatest health concerns that are related to preventable chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. The report states, “…according to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Society and Health, life expectancy can vary as much as 20 years
FLOATING THE BROAD RIVER Photo by Union County Tourism.
114 114 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH across neighborhoods just a few miles apart.” The zip codes in Union County note life expectancy of 74 years which is a few years less of the national life expectancy averages in America of 78 years.
Residents with a strong sense of belonging to their local community are more likely to live healthier lives with fewer mental health challenges than those with a weaker sense of community. The Healthy Places – Project for Public Spaces (PPS) Report notes that “the stronger the sense of belonging, the more likely people were to exercise, lose weight, or eat more healthily.” The built environment should provide spaces with parks, plazas, gathering spaces, and walkable streets to promote interaction and social well-being for residents. Green landscapes and open spaces reduce stress and promote well- being. All neighborhoods should have nearby parks and greenways to provide opportunities for good mental health.
The five key measurements for promoting healthy communities include: • Active Living – active transportation, recreation, and traffic safety • Healthy Food Systems – access and production • Environmental Exposure – air quality, water quality, and soil contamination • Emergency Preparedness – natural hazards and mitigation • Social Cohesion – green infrastructure, housing, and public safety
Union County has numerous natural assets, including the Sumter National Forest, nearby rivers, and community parks that provide residents and visitors access to active living. According to Paths More Traveled, June 2015, the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests ranked 9th in terms of populations within 50 miles of a forest boundary with an estimated population of 7,133,000. Recreation visits for these forests have had substantial increases as regional populations have increased. The Palmetto Trail is 500 miles of cross-state hiking and bicycling paths beside lakes, across mountain ridges, through forests, into towns big and small, and across swamps. The Palmetto Trail showcases conservation and preservation from mountains to sea, all while providing free public access to active, healthy outdoor recreation. The Enoree Ranger District offers three seasonal campgrounds. These campgrounds have designated campsites in open areas surrounded by
BROAD RIVER COON HUNT Photo by Union County Tourism. Photo by Union County Tourism.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 115 CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
woods. The surrounding forest environment provides an opportunity for many recreational activities, such as wildlife and plant observation, fishing, hiking, and photography. Abundant wildlife populations provide some of the most desirable hunting areas in the upstate. Collins Creek has 43 camp sites with seasonal camping during the months of September, October, November, and December. Sedalia is a primitive campground open year-raund with four single-family campsites and one group campsite in open areas surrounded by woods. The outdoor amenties provided by the U.S. Forest Service, SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and others are noted in Table 11.1 Outdoor Amenities.
Community-wide access to healthy foods is an important element to public health and well-being. The South Carolina Food Desert Map was created by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) with data from the US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service’s Food Access Research Atlas to identify food desert locations throughout the state. A Food Desert is described as community where residents have low access to healthy food options, Table 11.1 Outdoor Amenities Outdoor Amenity Location Activity Owner Cedar Bluff Bridge SC Highway 49 Tyger River Access US Forest Service Collins Creek Forest Service Road 393 Seasonal Camp US Forest Service Fairforest Rifle Range Sardis Road Target Range US Forest Service Flat Stack Trail Town of Lockhart Multi-Purpose Trail SCDNR Forest Service - Broad River Broad River Broad River Access US Forest Service Forest Service - South Sandy Broad River Broad River Access US Forest Service Forest Service 336A Landing Forest Service Road 336A Enoree River Access US Forest Service Forest Service 339 Landing Forest Service Road 339 Enoree River Access US Forest Service Gordons Bridge County Road S-36-54 Tyger River Access US Forest Service Highway 176/72 Enoree River Enoree River Access US Forest Service Jew’s Harp Spring Forest Service Road Hiking Trail US Forest Service Johns Creek Lake Forest Service Road 347 Fishing Site US Forest Service Lockhart Landing (Proposed) Broad River Broad River Access SCDNR Macedonia Lake Forest Service Road 444 Fishing Site US Forest Service Minnow Bridge Landing Forest Service Road 323 Tyger River Access US Forest Service Musgrove Mill State Historic Site 398 State Park Road Enoree River Access US Forest Service Palmetto Trail Forest Service Road 379 Multi-Purpose Trail Palmetto Conservation Pittman Lake Highway 35 Fishing Site US Forest Service Rose Hill Landing County Road S-44-16 Tyger River Access US Forest Service Sedalia Bombing Range Road Campground US Forest Service Sedalia Lake Forest Service Road 347 Fishing Site/Trail US Forest Service Skulls Shoals Road Pacelot River Pacelot River Access SCDNR Stave Jones Landing Enoree River Enoree River Access US Forest Service Union Highway Landing Pacelot River Pacelot River Access SCDNR Union Memorial Trail City of Union Multi-Purpose Trail City of Union Wildcat Lake Prospect Corner Road Fishing Site US Forest Service
116 116 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
Figure 11.1 Active Living
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 117 CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
especially fruits and vegetables. Healthy food options are limited or nonexistent because of a lack of healthy food retail, such as a farmers markets or grocery stores.
Food desert locations are low-income areas where a significant number of residents live more than ½ mile (urban areas) or 10 miles (rural areas) from the nearest grocery store. Data considered when considering a food desert designation are proximity to farmers markets, roadside markets, DHEC permitted grocery stores and restaurants, and food banks and food pantries participating in the SC Farm to Food Bank program.
In Union County, Census Tract 303 is a designated food desert and is reflected in Figure 11.2 Food Desert. This Census Tract includes a portion of the City of Union Downtown and the unincorporated Monarch community to the east. The total population of the food desert is 4,055 with 1,730 occupied housing units. Approximately 22% of the population are children under the age of 18 and approximately 18% are elderly over the age of 65. Of the occupied housing units, approximately 12% are without a vehicle and approximately 22% receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Through the designation of food deserts, underserved areas with minimal access to healthy food options can be served by various agencies through strategies to increase access to healthy food options in those areas. Strategies may include establishing a farmers market or expanding an existing market to accept SNAP/EBT, Healthy Bucks, WIC or Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers; supporting the creation of food hubs or food nodes; and integrating healthy eating principles into county comprehensive plans and other local level planning efforts.
The Catawba Fresh Market is the regional food hub for the Catawba region of the state, and one of five food hubs in the state. The Catawba Fresh Market provides opportunities for local farmers to sell their food wholesale to companies such as Microsoft in Charlotte. The Union County Library helps facilitate wholesale ordering and provides training to the farmers on topics such as marketing and online sales. There are also other fresh markets in Union County which include the Union County Farmers Market in in the City of Union and the Veggie Patch in Jonesville.
JONESVILLE SENIOR CENTER AG + ART TOUR Art Education Program through Artist in Residence funded Three Horse Milling. Photo by Union County Visitors Bureau. by the SC Arts Commission Grant. Photo by Union County Library System.
118 118 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
Figure 11.2 Food Desert
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 119 CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
Union County received a grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Recreational Trails Program to develop the Flat Stack Trail in Lockhart. The trail is a 1.5 mile walking and biking trail from the planned boat landing north of the Lockhart Dam south to Canal Road, along a future park site and around the former mill. The total project cost was $250,000, with $200,000 from grant funds and $50,000 in local funds.
The location of the trail and a future pedestrian bridge, access road, and river access are shown in Figure 11.3 Lockhart Flat Stack Trail, and the logo for the trail is shown to the right. The trail was proposed in the Lockhart Community Vision Plan developed in 2013 which centered around nature-based tourism and preservation.
The Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan, developed by Alta Planning + Design, included a study area to the west side of the City of Union and Union County as US 176 on the east, Highway 215 on the north, Lukesville Road on the west, and the Norfolk Southern railroad to the south. The plan was based on the following three planning principles:
• Equity-Based Planning - Safe, healthy, affordable, and convenient transportation choices are not always an option for vulnerable residents, which are defined as
“seniors, children, non-white populations, low-income households, households without LOCKHART COMMUNITY VISION access to a vehicle, non-English speaking populations, and SNAP recipients.” Flat Stack Trail logo design and photos • Access to Healthy Foods - Low-income communities and communities of color need by Community Design Solutions. accessibility to healthy food options and improved walking access to healthy foods. • Community Engagement - All community members should be given opportunities to participate in the plan outcomes and recommendations by providing meeting spaces in safe, central locations accessible by foot, bike, and transit.
Recommendations in the study area include repurposing underutilized rights-of-way and filling gaps to improve pedestrian and biking corridors. One example is the improvement to Industrial Park Road by repurposing the planting strip and add a 12 foot shared-use path, a 7 foot landscaped buffer, and pedestrian-scale lighting. The existing conditions and recommendations are shown below.
WALKABLE UNION PEDESTRIAN PLAN Images by Alta Planning + Design.
120120 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
Figure 11.3 Lockhart Flat Stack Trail
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 121 CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Collaborate with partners to develop programs and services that improve the health for residents of all ages and abilities.
Planning Objective 1. .Support facilities, programs, and policies that make active living a convenient choice.
Action Strategies A. Establish a Union County Healthy Community Council to gather data and to explore feasible policies and actions to advance health and health equity in all policies. (short-term) B. Develop a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) for Union County to determine potential health impacts based on policies, programs, and projects. (short-term) C. Develop a Health and Active Living Plan to improve public health. (short-to mid-term) D. Develop a comprehensive drug abuse prevention, intervention, treatment plan and include law enforcement to minimize the supply of illegal drugs. (mid-term) E. Improve and expand health care access for underserved communities by supporting options for unconventional settings for health care services, including community centers, schools, places of worship, retail pharmacies, and mobile health units. (mid-term) F. Utilize TeleHealth as a means to improve and expand healthcare to underserved communities and outlying areas in Union County. (short-term)
Goal Develop an infrastructure throughout Union County that promotes active living for residents of all ages and abilities.
Planning Objective 1. Connect communities through safe, tree-shaded bike and pedestrian sidewalks, trails, greenways, and protected bike lanes. 2. Provide all residents with safe and inviting access to open ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS Ag + Art Tour Union County (upper and middle images) and Catawba spaces, parks, and trails. Food and Farm Coalition (lower image) Photos by Union County Visitors Bureau and Union County Library System.
122122 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 | HEALTH
Action Strategies A. Work with the Union County School District, neighborhoods, and developers to secure grant funding and build safe routes to schools. (short- to mid-term) B. Implement the Future Land Use Plan and develop compact mixed-use districts and land uses that offer housing choices with sidewalks, trails, parks, open space, and bike lanes. (short- to mid-term) C. Develop and improve park, trail, and river facilities at Renaissance Park, Lockhart Flat Stack Trail, Palmetto Trail, and along the Broad, Pacelot, Enoree and Tyger rivers. (on-going) D. Implement the Walkable Union Pedestrian Plan to develop bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks within and adjacent to the Union County Opportunity Zones. (short- to mid-term)
Goal Provide healthy food access for all neighborhoods in Union County.
Planning Objective 1. Provide for local food production that supports commercial and non-commercial farms. 2. Support food distribution systems that provide greater access to healthy food for all neighborhoods.
Action Strategies A. Recruit Food Markets to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to outlying areas. (on-going) B. Evaluate current farmers markets to enhance services for the community. (short-term)
ATV RACE BLACK CREEK Little Brown Jug ATV Race at Eden’s Farm. Photo by Union County Photo by Union County Visitors Bureau. Visitors Bureau.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 123123 This page left blank intentionally.
124124 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12 EDUCATION
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 125125 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
CHAPTER 12 EDUCATION
PURPOSE The purpose of the Education element is to plan for the education of residents of all ages. The education element considers the existing conditions of education programs, services, and facilities with the goal of ensuring that all residents have access to quality education programs throughout their lives. The element will plan for education resources that include pre- kindergarten, kindergarten through 12th grade, higher education, adult education, workforce training, and elderly programs.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Figure 12.1 2017 Education Attainment Population 25 Years and Over reflects significant differences in lower educational attainment overall of individuals in Union County compared to the state. For Associate’s Degree, Union County is slightly higher than the state education attainment percentage. Public education in Union County is provided by Union County School District which includes pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Figure 12.2 Union County School District Boundary Plan reflects the boundaries for the elementary and middle schools. The mission of the Union County School District is “students first in building community, excellence, and life-long learning.” The district strives to provide lifelong learning opportunities that develop the potential of all individuals and enhance the quality of life for all residents. The district serves approximately 3,788 students in four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one alternative school. The Union County School District schools are as follows:
• Buffalo Elementary School • Foster Park Elementary School • Jonesville Elementary School / Middle School • Monarch Elementary School • Sims Middle School • Union County High School • Union County Alternative Center
FIRST STEPS GROUP CONNECTION EVENT FIRST STEPS LIBRARY FOR LOCAL EDUCATORS Photo by First Steps Program. Photo by First Steps Program.
126126 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
Figure 12.1 2017 Education Attainment Population 25 Years and Over
45.0% 39.5% 40.0%
35.0%
29.4% 30.0%
25.0%
20.0% 17.2%
15.0% 12.8% 9.9% 9.0% 9.3% 9.8% 10.0% 8.0% 6.1% 4.5% 4.6% 5.0%
0.0% Less than 9th Grade 9th - 12th Grade High School Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Graduate Degree No Diploma
S. Carolina Union County
Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey 2013 - 2017.
Five Union County School District schools participate in the Winthrop University School Partnership Network. The Partnership Network goals include 1) improve PK - 12th grade student learning, 2) improve professional learning for district and university faculty and teacher candidates, 3) strengthen teacher education, and 4) increase support for new teachers and leaders.
Union County School District provides a First Steps Program with a mission to connect families to the resources they need for their children to be safe, healthy, and ready for school. The program offers various services and programs that are noted below:
• Parents as Teachers - This is a free home visitation program for children (prenatal up to age 5). Parent Educators visit participating families two times each month to promote parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. • Dolly Parton Imagination Library - Union County First Steps has partnered with United Way of the Piedmont to provide a free book each month to children up to age 5. These books are mailed from the Imagination Library to each child’s home. • Countdown to Kindergarten - This is a home visitation program during the summer prior to a child entering 5-year old kindergarten. Kindergarten teachers make five visits to the student’s home and have one visit in the child’s classroom prior to the beginning of kindergarten. This program not only helps the child build skills, but also builds a relationship between the teacher and the child/family.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 127127 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
• Childcare Training Classes - Union County First Steps offers free classes to local childcare workers in order for them to meet the Department of Social Services (DSS) requirements for certification. • Teen Mom Lunch & Learn - Meetings are held once a month during the school year with students at Union County High School who are currently pregnant or already parents. A free lunch is provided and various topics related to parenting are discussed. • Kidsfest - During the Week of the Young Child (every April), Union County First Steps partners with other local agencies to sponsor Kidsfest. This is a free community event to promote resources available to young children and their families.
The First Steps Program recruits families for Parents as Teachers at community events and receives referrals from families already participating. Families often times reach out to sign up on their own. The program also reaches out to other agencies serving children for referrals. Families must meet a minimum criteria to participate; however, most families meet at least one of the qualifications. The program strives to serve families with the most needs. The First Steps Program has three Parent Educators, and each staff person can serve UNION COUNTY SCHOOLS Jonesville Elementary STEM -Science, up to 20 families. Technology, Engineering, and Math (image above); Foster Park Elementary (middle image); and First Steps The Countdown to Kindergarten program is not mandatory and is restricted only due Childcare Training (bottom image). to limited funds. In the 2018-2019 school year, the First Steps Program had resources to serve 30 children in Union County. Principals from the elementary schools work in partnership with First Steps staff to identify students who they think would most benefit from the services. The biggest benefit of the Countdown to Kindergarten program is the relationship that is formed between the student and their kindergarten teacher, fostering a smooth transition to kindergarten.
Additional early childhood education programs are provided by Carolina Community Actions (CCA), which is the designated community action agency for Union County. The agency was established on August 2, 1965, as a non-profit community-based organization to fight the “War on Poverty” at the local level by providing high-impact programs that assist low-income individuals, families, and neighborhoods. The mission of CCA is “to promote self-reliance of low-income individuals and families by forming partnerships which will provide a systematic reduction of the cause and conditions of poverty.”
CCA provides the Head Start (ages 3-5) and Early Head Start (ages 0-3) Programs in Union County. The programs are for families who meet income requirements based on 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines with the exception of children with diagnosed disabilities. .During the 2019-2020 school year, CCA enrolled 85 Head Start children and 40 Early Head Start children. Waiting lists are maintained once the slots for the applicable ages are filled. CCA’s Head Start Center adheres to the SC DSS licensure regulations regarding the child-to-teacher ratios. The services provided by CCA are as follows:
• .Comprehensive Early Childhood Education and Development Program
128128 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
Figure 12.2 Union County School District Boundary Plan
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 129129 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
Figure 12.3 Institutes of Higher Learning
130130 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
HEAD START PROGRAM HEAD START PROGRAM Photo by Carolina Community Actions. Photo by Carolina Community Actions.
• Head Start, through the Creative Curriculum i.e. school readiness, social skills, emotional well-being, language and literacy learning, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants, toddlers, and expectant mothers • Health Services/Screenings, i.e. dental, hearing, vision, lead screenings, mental health/behavioral assessments • Nutrition Services • Transportation for children ages 3-5 • Family Support, i.e. parent engagement, fatherhood project, grandparent program, etc.
Union Christian Day School is a private school established in 2000 by Greater Union Church. The school provides education for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to approximately 121 students and is a member of the American Association of Christian Schools.
While counties surrounding Union County have South Carolina Public Charter Schools, Union County does not currently have a charter school. Charter schools were established in 1996 by the State Charter School Law to create innovative and high quality education. The first schools were established in 2008 with 2,000 students and 5 schools. Today, 20,000 students are enrolled in 35 tuition-free public schools. Each school is governed by individual school boards and provides flexibility to educators. Emphasis areas include the following:
• Performing Arts • Technology • Montessori • Dual-Credit • Project Based Learning • Cyber Learning • Dual Language Instruction
Figure 12.3, Institutes of Higher Learning show the locations of Spartanburg Community College (SCC) and the University
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 131 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
of South Carolina (USC) Union, which offer higher education within Union County. The University of South Carolina Union is a regional campus of the University of South Carolina. The mission of USC Union is to provide higher education and intellectual leadership for its service area. Enrollment at USC Union is approximately 1,180 students each semester, and programs offer two year Associate in Arts and Associate in Sciences degrees and selected bachelor’s degrees in partnership with the USC system. USC Union includes core competencies of effective writing and articulate speech, computational and quantitative skills, creative and critical thinking, and the duties of citizenship.
In the fall semester of 2019, USC Union began offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through USC Aiken. This new expansion of USC Aiken’s BSN will allow students to study all four years in Union and Laurens, including coursework and clinicals. Students will learn using unique state-of-the-art virtual reality.
Another opportunities for students is the USC Union Research Club, which aspires to expose students to a variety of research experiences across a wide range of disciplines while facilitating connections between students and faculty that may lead to new scholarly collaborations. Students have the opportunity to receive funding to support their scholarly work and their dissemination of that work at professional meetings and conferences. USC Union is involved in the following community engagement efforts:
• .The campus offers community members noncredit courses, seminars, workshops, and events that allow for cultural enrichment and professional development. • USC Union hosts an annual two-day Upcountry Literary Festival that showcases a number of nationally and regionally renowned authors, poets, and musical artists as part of the free public event. • Since 2011, university 101 classes have raised thousands of dollars for the local Alzheimer’s Association through the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Miss USC Union Pageant. • USC Union is actively engaged in a variety of efforts to help the community, including on-campus blood drives every fall and spring; workshops on healthy eating, financial aid, sexual health, and prevention of unplanned pregnancy
RED RIBBON WEEK THEME DAYS ADULT EDUCATION GRADUATES Photo by Union County School District. Photo by Jackie Good, Awesome Exposures Photography.
132132 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
among teenagers; and raising money for WBCU radio station’s Truck Full of Toys event.
Spartanburg Community College provides educational training for certificates, diplomas, and degree programs in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties. The mission of Spartanburg Community College is to provide exceptional, accessible, learning-centered education and workforce development programs and services. Popular programs at Spartanburg Community College include welding and mechatronics technology. Professional opportunities post-graduation include the manufacturing and construction sectors, which together make up 45% of the workforce in Upstate South Carolina.
Spartanburg Community College (SCC) Union County Campus has experienced growth in the Mechatronics and Welding programs since it opened in 2016. In 2019, the Mechatronics and Welding programs experienced a 33% increase, or 60 students, during the spring term and a 175% increase, or 22 students, during the summer term. In the fall of 2019, offerings were developed to meet anticipated additional growth and include initial courses leading to certificates and degrees in the following:
• Health Science (Nursing, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology, Medical Lab Technology) • Computer Technology (Networking/Cybersecurity, Programming/ Database) • Electronics Engineering Technology • Pre-Engineering • Welding (Currently offered) • Mechatronics (Currently offered)
SCC Union County Campus provides opportunities to high school students that include up to 24 hours of Dual Credit beginning in 11th Grade. When combined with summer sessions, students can earn certificates immediately after high school graduation in Mechatronics (31 Hours), Welding (32 Hours), and Computer Support (34 Hours).
In February 2019, SCC received a successful Local Program Review by the SC State Department of Education for Adult Education. Seventeen students graduated (14 GED, 3 High School Diploma) in
UNION COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Union County High School, Red Ribbon Week, and Sims Middle School. Photos by Union County School District.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 133133 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
2019 and five enrolled at SCC for fall term 2019 (4 Graduates, 1 Dual Credit (Adult Ed/College)). Additionally, SCC opened a new location at the Dollar General Distribution Center.
SCC supports the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Regionalization Program. This program will provide holistic services to the youth and their families by moving students closer to their homes while expanding the educational and workforce development opportunities for them through high school and college programs.
Community engagement programs that SCC Union County Campus is involved with include the following:
• SCC hosts an annual plant tour for Union County School administrators that focuses on highlighting exceptional local career opportunities for students entitled: “Products, Processes, Opportunities and Requirements – What it Takes to be Ready!” The information provided is critical to the Individual Graduation Plan Development Process at the high school level and assists middle and elementary school guidance counselors in understanding the rationale behind course selection. • SCC conducted an Opportunity Fair in October 2018 that provided Union County 6th-12th graders with a “Pathway to Career Success.” This program had over 40 participants, including 13 SCC staff and graduates. • SCC works with the Union County Chamber of Commerce to host the Leadership Union students each February to recognize the achievements of sophomore students. • Each Februrary, SCC hosts an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Workshop led by West Point staff and cadets for approximately 30 middle school students. • SCC conducted an Expungement Workshop in February 2019 that included 20 participants. The program was structured to help individuals who have been incarcerated address barriers to employment, including expungement of criminal records, adult education, substance abuse counseling, college and job opportunities, and entrepreneurship. Eight individuals were directly impacted by the program which was recorded for Union Channel. The other participants were community and family members. Appointments were scheduled to follow up with individuals post workshop.
LEGENETICS SIMS SCHOOL Photo by Union County School District. Photo by Union County School District.
134134 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
A school-to-work program called Operation Workforce Training (OWT) is a partnership with Union County School District, SCC Union County Campus, Lockhart Power, and Union County Community Development. The OWT curriculum is primarily for recent high school graduates and others who want to transition to careers in industry. OWT offers 65 hours of training to prepare prospects for positions in industry. This training provides basic industry skills and knowledge, OSHA certification, and forklift certification. Human resource managers make presentations, offer tours of their facilities, and interview the prospects. After successful completion of the course, students are rewarded with a bonus and an offer to an entry level position. Five recent graduates were hired immediately following the completion of the workforce training program.
Union County partnered with Union County School District, the University of South Carolina Union, and Spartanburg Community College to establish the Community Scholarship Program to provide free college tuition. The program addresses barriers to postsecondary education and shortages in Union County’s workforce. The first students enrolled in the Community Scholarship Program in the fall of 2018, and to date approximately 30 students have participated. The
MONARCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Photos by Union County School District.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 135135 CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
program is for Union County residents who have recently graduated from Union County High School, Union County Adult Ed, Union Christian Day School, or an approved Union County Home School Program in the previous academic year. The program awards funds to cover any remaining fees to attend school less what is covered by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Continuing education opportunities are provided for adults through the personal enrichment classes offered by Spartanburg Community College. For elderly residents, the Union County Councl on Aging, a private, non-profit agency, operates three senior centers in Union, Buffalo, and Jonesville. The Council on Aging provides programs and recreational activities that support the life skills of the elderly.
Completed in 2009, the Union County Advanced Technology Center houses technical programs through Spartanburg Community College and academic courses through the University of South Carolina Union. Spartanburg Community College shares the facility in a partnership with the University of South Carolina Union, which offers general education courses in the building for students to take as they fulfill transferable academic requirements for colleges and universities in the area.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS AND MONARCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Photos by Union County School District.
136136 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 12 | EDUCATION
GOALS AND STRATEGIES Goal Support the Union County School District to promote excellence in education for all ages.
Planning Objective 1. .Collaborate with Union County School District on partnerships for shared-use facilities, programs, and developments that enhance community learning and recreation opportunities.
Action Strategies A. Coordinate with the Union County School District, industries, and workforce development to develop student pathways for work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, and student-learning opportunities. (on-going) B. Establish an Education Excellence Council with county officials, school representatives, community organizations, businesses/industries, and regional and state officials to communicate quarterly on challenges and opportunities (i.e. Project Lift example). (on-going) C. Develop a program for all students age 4 and above to attend full-day public school. (on-going) D. Develop a civics concentration as a required course in high school and as an adult continuing education class. (short-term) E. Develop a Business/Industry/Place of Worship mentor program for middle school students to motivate educational achievement and graduation (i.e. Opportunity Fair example). (on-going) F. Coordinate with partners to establish a Volunteer Reading Program for primary school students to assist with reading readiness. (short-term) G. Establish an adult continuing education program beyond high school. (mid-term)
Goal Enhance educational programs.
Planning Objective 1. .Identify opportunities for new educational programs.
Action Strategies A. Evaluate the establishment of a charter school for Union County. (short-term) B. With community partners, create a charter school program for Union County. (short- to mid-term)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 137137
This page left blank intentionally.
138138 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 13 | PRIORITY INVESTMENT
CHAPTER 13 PRIORITY INVESTMENT
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 139139 CHAPTER 13 | PRIORITY INVESTMENT
CHAPTER 13 PRIORITY INVESTMENT
PURPOSE Priority Investment is an element required for comprehensive plans through the 2007 South Carolina Priority Investment Act, which amended the 1994 Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act. This element analyzes funds for public infrastructure to build water and sewer systems, roads, and schools and recommends projects for expenditure of available funds. It also provides for coordination between local governments. Coordination between local jurisdictions is included in the Priority Investment element and is defined as notice by the planning commission to other local governments who then have an opportunity to provide feedback.
PLANNING CONTEXT SUMMARY Union County has many opportunities for growth in new residential neighborhoods, economic development, nature-based tourism, and redevelopment of areas, such as the Buffalo Mill and Monarch communities. The City of Union and the Towns of Jonesville, Lockhart, and Carlisle are potential growth areas. Coordination between jurisdictions is a key component to be fiscally efficient with public funds while growing the local and regional economies. Managing growth includes strategic planning for public investments in infrastructure and public facilities. Union County can leverage existing assets and can encourage new development in employment and mixed-use districts. The Priority Investment element provides for the evaluation of public infrastructure and service needs and limitations that may affect Union County’s future growth.
The definition of “public infrastructure and facilities” includes Capital Improvements Program projects and other capital plans for Union County and the Union County School District that have an estimated cost of at least $100,000. Also, state and federal transportation projects are included in the Priority Investment element.
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION - HOUSING DEVELOPMENT EXAMPLE Photo by TRG Communities.
140140 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 13 | PRIORITY INVESTMENT
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Foster growth and ensure developments contribute to the cost of public facilities and impacts on services and programs. Coordinate Union County’s Capital Improvements Program and the Comprehensive Plan.
Planning Objective 1. .Prepare a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to plan for future delivery of public services. 2. Develop a Capital Improvements prioritization and timeline schedule.
Action Strategies A. In collaboration with the Planning Commission, plan a ten-year financing strategy for capital improvements and annual operating needs. (short-term) B. Ensure the CIP supports the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. (short-term) C. Conduct CIP annual review by departments to enhance accountability. (on-going)
Goal Collaborate with other agencies and jurisdictions on public infrastructure improvements.
Planning Objective 1. .Identify funding through public and private sources to expand transportation, water, and sewer systems.
Action Strategies A. Establish quarterly meetings with regional partners to discuss land use, transportation, and utility services. (short- term) B. Plan and create regional programs to fund water and sewer enhancement projects. (mid-term)
Goal Partner with the private sector on community development projects.
Planning Objective 1. .Foster economic development through public-private partnerships for the enhancement of public infrastructure and facilities. 2. Promote Opportunity Zones as areas for redevelopment and capital improvement projects.
Action Strategy A. Market locations for community development projects and recruit public-private partnerships. (on-going)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 141
This page left blank intentionally.
142142 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
APPENDIX A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 143143 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
APPENDIX A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOCUS GROUPS To assist with development of the Union County Comprehensive Plan, three focus groups were formed with 45 residents. The Focus Groups included members of the Union County Council, the Union County Planning Commission, and citizen appointees. The Planning Commission served as the Steering Committee and the three Focus Group were: Community Facilities, Housing, Population, and Education, Land Use, Economic Development, and Transportation, and Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, and Health.
The Focus Group meet three evening at the Main Street Junction building in downtown Union. Meetings began at 6:30 PM and were held on the following dates: June 20, 2017, July 20, 2017, and August 29, 2017. Follow up meetings to work on the plan elements occurred throughout the day on February 27, 2018 with the Planning Commission members, local agencies, and County staff.
Thank you to the following elected and appointed officials and citizens who participated and contributed to the development of the Comprehensive Plan for Union County:
Community Facilities, Housing, Population, and Education Focus Group •Lewis Jeter, III, Union County Planning Commission •Marsha Jordan, Union County Planning Commission* •Ben Ivey, Union County Council •Joan Little, Union County Council (previous member) •Jeff Ashe, Citizen •Diane Spencer, Citizen •Mark Sanders, Citizen •Bannie Kennedy, Citizen •Johnny Edwards, Citizen •Linda Mitchell, Union County Mapping •Michael Lancaster, Union County Fire •Kimberly Herndon, Catawba Regional Council of Governments* * Former Planning Commission member and CRCOG employee
Land Use, Economic Development, and Transportation Focus Group •Evans Crocker, Union County Planning Commission* •Everett Leigh, Union County Planning Commission •Frank Hart, Union County Supervisor •Ralph Tucker, Union County Council •David Sinclair, Union County Council •Joe F. Nichols, City of Union •Andrena Powell-Baker, citizen
144144 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Bob Hart, citizen •John Robbins, citizen •Leroy Worthy, citizen •Stanley Vanderford, citizen •Trad Robinson, citizen •Arthur Barrett, Jr, citizen •Hope Small, citizen •Kathy Jo Lancaster, Union County Economic Development •Jerry Brannon, PE, Union County Engineer •Katherine Pendergrass, Union County Community Development •Kara W. Drane, AICP, Catawba Regional Council of Governments * Former Planning Commission member
Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, and Health Focus Group •William Jeter, Union County Planning Commission •Etta Rae Johnson, Union County Planning Commission •Kacie Petrie, Union County Council •Tommie Lee Hill, Sr., Union County Council •Steve Hudson, citizen •John Baarcke, citizen •Norris Fowler, citizen •Phillip Arnold, citizen •Mark Williams, citizen •Kevin Smith, citizen •Yates Giles, citizen •Steven Stone, citizen •Mike Scales, citizen •Mary Ferguson Glenn, Town of Carlisle, Mayor •Curtiss Hunter, Union County Visitors and Tourism •Mary Maercklein, US Forest Service •Jami Trammel, Union County Chamber •Matthew Gallman, Catawba Regional Council of Governments* * Former CRCOG employee
• Rob Jackson, Catawba Region COG, GIS Analyst and Drone Pilot • Kathy Rice, Catawba Regiona COG, Administrative Specialist
Union County is especially grateful to the City of Union for the use of the Main Street Junction facility for the Focus Group meetings. Thanks to Everett Leigh Photography and Curtiss Hunter, Union County Visitors Bureau, for graciously allowing their photographs to be used throughout the Comprehensive Plan. Others agencies and organizations who assisted with photographs include the U.S. Forest Service, the Union County Development Board, the Union County Library System, the Union County School District, Carolina Community Actions, Alta Planning + Design, and Community Design Solutions.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 145145 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FOCUS GROUP FEEDBACK REPORT
Community Facilities, Housing, Population, and Education Focus Group
What community facilities do you think are needed for Union County’s future and where should they be located, i.e. emergency management, fire stations, recreation, and community centers?
•.Medical treatment facilities/urgent care/EMS/fire departments for outlying areas (noted 5 times) •.Recreation Facilities that could be used for all ages – bring all people together throughout i.e. Walking trails, movies (noted 4 times) •.Emergency/police substation (noted 2 times) •Central information source •Community Centers •.Consolidate county facilities into one location •Digital infrastructure •.Law Enforcement facility – jail and Sheriff’s Office •.Railroad trails, there are a lot of unused rail lines in Union County •Sims High school •.Staffing and scheduling for current facilities •Technical skills training center •Trailways for biking and walking •.Transportation throughout community •Voluntary service opportunities
Do you consider the variety of housing opportunities adequate for our current and future population? If not, what type of housing choices does Union County need?
•.Apartments/condos for younger workers (noted 2 times) •.No. 90K - 100K homes/affordable homes in areas convenient for Industrial Workers (noted 2 times) •.Upscale apartments, condos, and neighborhoods (noted 2 times) •.100K-200K, mid-upper size for Upper Management of potential Industry Recruitment •An area retirement community •.Development of housing that attracts individuals and families to Union •Energy efficient housing •.Lack of new affordable housing for starters •.Modern design homes for management being hired by new companies •Patio homes for seniors •Private enterprise will provide •.Realize that not all young people are having children •.Revitalization of public housing as a catalyst for future development •.Student housing for the new students coming to USC-U •.Subdivisions (single family residences)
146146 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
How do our changing demographics and lifestyles affect our need for new facilities?
•.Digital infrastructure needed (noted 2 times) •.Exercise trails, walking and bike trails, and facilities (noted 2 times) •.Need for facilities for the elderly i.e… homes, medical care, assisted living (noted 2 times) •Changing needs and desires •.Few people live here and those who do are lower income - tax base has eroded •Fewer children - slowing population •.Larger capacity jails to cope with drug use and declining morals •.National trend, increased desire for local, fresh, healthy food (farm to table) •.Ways to fight drug use and gang activity •Wide variety of people •.Young educated people have nothing for quality of life
Are there opportunities to enhance education in Union County? If so, what types of strategies do you see as most important?
•.Administration and staff to live in Union •.Change objective from mediocracy to excellence •.Community Centers equipped with educational facilities or areas which can be temporarily converted to accommodate •Develop happy staff •Early childhood education •.Expand USC-U and Community College •.Get back to teaching, not testing – teaching informs, testing shows results •.Implement curriculum that meets needs of students and challenges students •.Inform community and students about the jobs that are here and help students fill those jobs (co-op/internships) •.Involving business and industry to show results of a good education •.Pre-school students not ready to start school •.Sponsored afterschool resources, ex… Library •Student housing in downtown area •Support for adult education •.Technical skills training centers i.e… auto mechanics, carpentry, brick masonry •.The new Community College, partnership with agents - city and county government and other stakeholders •USC-U – Nursing program •.Volunteer programs with students in nonprofits
What do you want the plan to accomplish regarding these elements?
Community Facilities •.Recreation fields/updated parks/community recreation center i.e. water/river access, lake access (noted 6 times) •.Water and sewer needs to be provided for every region of Union County (noted 2 times)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 147147 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Address recreational relationships with Sumter National Forest for recreational tourism – teach people what’s here •.All residents have equal access to the resources necessary for fulfilling productive lives •.Combine county/city duplicated services •Parking areas near Main Street •.Public safety – stop the drug traffic in Union County •.Resources allocated and managed to support growth for the total population
Housing •.Find ways to have more housing/apartments for USCU students (noted 4 times) •.We need more middle-level apartment complexes or condominiums, for rent or purchase, throughout all areas of Union County (noted 4 times) •.Appropriate housing/new housing communities for young professionals and new families (noted 2 times) •.A hospice home for our declining residents to be local •.Housing that supports needs and economic capabilities of the population •Mid-scale to upper mid-scale •More upscale housing developments •Remove dilapidated/unused buildings
Population •.Further economic development through added jobs in manufacturing and service areas to increase current population numbers (noted 3 times) •.Develop a plan to recruit out-of-county workers into those units/houses to increase the number of mid-high income residents (noted 2 times) •.Seek to market Union County to families as a bedroom community while pushing for more industry and retail (noted 2 times) •.An expansion of types of housing throughout Union County will increase population •.Promote USCU and SCC programs to students for recruitment into medical and industrial jobs locally •.Recognize that the population is decreasing and create a plan to develop housing for workers in the industrial businesses in Union County-rental units and middle range homes •.Support a diverse population that respects one another’s differences while working for the common good
Education •.Establish a well-educated community that supports the creation of a world class education system that produces well- prepared graduates capable of success in their chosen fields of endeavor (noted 4 times) •.Establishment of better parental, family, and community involvement to help improve education (noted 3 times) •.Continued development and expansion of USCU •.Develop more technical/occupational classes for those students who are academically challenged, and or have no desire to go to college •.Education facilities k-12 that meet the needs of students, attractive •.Have the businesses commit to funding education •.Improve the perception of the quality of public schools so that our schools are positive for the community •.Investments to improve the current system will draw people to Union
148148 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Pathways from middle schools to career center to work/college •.Sale used buildings to USCU/SCC at a cheap price, or some incentive to have classes/offices
What are your ideas for goals for these elements?
Community Facilities •.Added support from the community, and as many grant applications as possible for the lake project (noted 2 times) •.Access within 10 miles of any resident to the same county resources as are available to City of Union residents, including library, SC Works, Adult Ed, Early Childhood Resources for Education, and first responders •.Build medical facilities and find partnerships with Laurens, Fairfield, and Chester •.Creation of Rec. panel to look into utilizing vacant areas in Union i.e. railroads, mill sites, and river land •.Encourage private land owners to allow river access •.Improvements in our parks for additional recreational activities. Use old Sims high school building as a community facility incorporating various services and cultural events •Set a time line to accomplish projects •.We need to develop a park with some water in each area of Union County. This will help to foster more of a community atmosphere
Housing •.Development of new housing/apartment complexes in Union County for young families and young professionals that are closer to Greenville/Spartanburg/Charlotte travel routes (noted 3 times) •.Reclaim neighborhood and apartments/develop new apartments downtown for student, elderly and young family housing (noted 2 times) •.There should be more apartments and condos built along Hwy 176, 215, and 49. These complexes should focus on the $40,000-$65,000 per year households. Land will need to be surveyed (noted 2 times) •.Destroy any property that doesn’t meet code requirements or that are delinquent in taxes
Population •.All governments work together to help homeless population and eliminate drugs and related crimes in Union (noted 4 times) •.I-26 @ 9 is the least developed area of 26 – CLT and GSP are booming (noted 2 times) •.Survey those who leave and come to Union to work (noted 2 times) •.A concerted effort to address increasing poverty rates to create a larger tax base •.Advertise Union as a great location for retirement and living at Welcome Centers and on Facebook •.Attract more people to come and/or remain in Union by improving job markets, education, housing, etc. •.Promote rural lifestyle to retirees, tele communities, people who work in GSP/Newberry/etc. to live here •.Recognize that population growth is more likely in areas closer to growth counties (Union County is not the city of Union) •.Support and promote USCU’s growth
Education •.Early learning center supporting up to 4k (noted 2 times) •.Improved quality of k-12 education (noted 2 times)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 149149 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.The creation of a joint group of educators and city and county officials in identifying needs for skill sets needed for industry (noted 2 times) •.Better afterschool/extracurricular programs freely available to children (library programs that are better funded) •.Draw together schools, businesses, and parents to let them know our advantage goals to grow and educate our kids for a better future, job, and industrial draw •.Encourage students and parents to investigate internship programs and educational programs geared towards local needs •.Establish expectations and programs to make out public schools superior to all other schools in South Carolina •.Evaluate and communicate with parents and the at-large public •.HS supportive of school within a school i.e. STEM, Health Sciences, Arts •.Increase number of residents with four year degrees •.Increased high school graduation rate
Cultural Resources, Natural Resources & Health Focus Group
What kind of cultural or entertainment facilities are currently missing and where should they be located, i.e. movie theaters, performance facilities?
•.Movie Theatre – Bypass, Main Street, or central location (noted 11 times) •.Amphitheatre – Foster Street, North end of county (noted 2 times) •.Boat Ramp with public access – located in Lockhart Upper Dam (noted 2 times) •Campgrounds (noted 2 times) •.Performance venue (downtown) (noted 2 times) •Bowling Alley – Bypass •Drive Inn •Event Center •.Indoor sporting facility – Highway 176 Bypass •More Museums •.Nice place to take your family to eat out in the country area •.Sports bar/restaurant – upscale – Downtown •Youth entertainment
How should we enhance and protect our natural assets, i.e. adoption of river and stream buffer ordinances?
•.Rail Road Walking/bike trails – ‘rails to trails’ (noted 4 times) •.Public river access for fishing and boating (noted 3 times) •.Campgrounds/camping facilities with wifi (noted 2 times) •.Walking and bicycling trails for tourists (noted 2 times) •.Address blight, sidewalks (walkable community) •Adopt-A-Highway •.Beauty filed, keep our resources clean, and take advantage of what we are and use what we have •Broad River – Lockhart •Canoe Tours
150150 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Clean up trails to lakes and rivers to protect children •Community wide recycling •Equestrian Venue •Horseback riding •Lake Project •.Litter ordinances along the river and highways •.Market natural assets within 60 miles •.No problem where current streams or rivers are effected •.Protecting water sources from town environment •Show off our true historical sites •.Through local ordinance, enforcing better code •Trail Guide •.Wider usage policy Ex: prospecting, kayaking
Do all residents have adequate access to fresh foods, parks, and healthcare? If not, what areas should be considered for farmer’s markets, open space, and medical clinics?
•.Need more doctors/clinics/medical care at a higher level (noted 4 times) •.Identify different types of parks at a higher level – Foster park (refined), Sumter Forrest, Farmers Markets could be integrated into parks (noted 3 times) •.Change the mindset/educate community members on the quality of life (noted 2 times) •.Create “recreation” using the assets we have – natural resources •.Have the resources for food, but the level at which to have these goods still needs to be determined. •More creativity •.Our access needs better identification and explanation of our access to natural resources •.Use social media to promote what we have •.We have the access but they are not enticing or tempting; we need something to make it more inviting (maybe beautiful scenes).
Are there neighborhoods and corridors that need improvements to the built environment to promote active lifestyles, i.e. pedestrian corridors, trails, bike routes, enhanced lighting, crosswalks, etc.? If so, what locations and enhancements are needed to the built environment?
•.Our rural areas need infrastructure improvement (four lane highway going to Spartanburg). (noted 3 times) •.No sidewalks or bike lanes in rural areas, bypass, or Northern Union, only in city limits (noted 2 times) •.Area’s need to be identified and developed and marketed. Where are these areas located in Union? Develop a comprehensive plan from there. •.Palmetto trail needs to be given promotion
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 151 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
What do you want the plan to accomplish regarding these elements?
Cultural Resources •School Systems (noted 5 times) •.Historical – preserve the history of Union County (i.e. museums, historical society, historical trail, etc.), while expanding and developing our history to include more people in and out of the community (noted 2 times) •.For the plan to highlight and encourage cultural and natural resources. Encourage all aspects of the arts •.Develop museum display, programs for all ages/interests. Rotating displays/exhibits to encourage new visitors. Living re-enactments. Signs documenting historic sites. Develop walking tours – highlight buildings, architectural styles, etc. Recreate the “Milltown” typical mill house •.Museum history, art, reinventing older buildings, education •.School System needs to be one where parents do not feel they need to drive their kids out of town for a quality education. This is a very big factor when someone is considering moving to the community •.I would like for this plan to preserve the integrity of our history. We are engulfed in tradition and history. However, we must move forward by embracing change. Change is okay and it is what we need to do to progress •.Making citizens more aware of what is happening in the community, letting everyone be informed of our resources trying to get everyone involved, different views on improving our self, encouraging more industry, education •.Search for the roots that will make these plans grow and focus on the things we need that will be helpful to the community as a group. Go to the meeting and talk about the situations that we now face in Union •Reinvent the mill towns
Natural Resources •.Expand our use of the resource while we protect and preserve them (noted 2 times) •.Forest service, recreation, hunting, fishing, and boating. The development of a reservoir to address critical demands on water resources for the entire upstate, and improve the tax base •.Public boat ramp on the Broad River in Lockhart. Involve the public with public meetings on the project. Meet with the citizens of Lockhart to involve them in the project. Plan the project by forming a committee that involves people who fish the river, boat on the river, and hunt on the river. Involve people from the local and state level •.To promote more of our natural resources, such as lots of usable federal land, rivers, etc. •Trail from Foster Park •Woods Ferry •Old railroad •.Because Union is 2/3 Sumter National Forest, we should be more involved in working with Union County to move into the next generation
Public Health •.Community awareness, more accessible doctors, better healthcare, healthcare facility, drug problem (noted 2 times) •.We need to move to have the public health system available to all that need it, with more options, such as public transportation (noted 2 times)
152152 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
What are your ideas for goals for these elements?
Cultural Resources •.Differing communities need to come together to work on common goals to benefit the entire community/ let others know where we stand, and continue to stand together (noted 2 times) •.Get more informed about Union resources out to more people outside of Union County to enjoy and use our resources (noted 2 times) •.Cultural Resources – finding the fine-line between cutting edge and maintaining our history •.Make it a priority to get business downtown •.Marketing Union more to encourage visitors/tourists – have events to promote this part of Union •.Wonderful, vibrant school system. Parents need to get involved in the whole process •.Work with state and national groups i.e. State Museum, Smithsonian, State Historic Preservation, etc. to develop cultural assets
Natural Resources •.Camping, hunting, fishing – enjoying our abundant national resources •.Natural Resources – Capitalize on the natural resources that we have making them work for us i.e. rivers and forests •.Make it a priority to work with the US Forestry Service to encourage the use of the forest.
Public Health •.Healthcare – work with the Spartanburg Healthcare system to include more in Union County •.Public Health – Maintain our hospital system and have healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the citizens •.Union County Healthcare Foundation – promoting good healthcare to improve public health through awareness and addressing the drug issue •.Work to make public transportation a priority, as well as public health and foundation
Land Use, Economic Development & Transportation Focus Group
Should abutting land uses be compatible with surrounding developments? If so, give examples of land use types that may or may not be compatible, i.e. rural living and local farms, industrial and employment centers, etc.
•.Buffer zones between different use areas – zoning (noted 2 times) •.Continue/protect rural areas (keep out of industrial) (noted 2 times) •Broad River expansion •Commercial •Commercial Livestock Farming •Commercial vs. residential •.Employment Centers – close proximity to main by highway routes •Farms and land for housing and water •Industrial
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 153153 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Industry vs. residential neighborhoods •.Land should be compatible with surrounding counties •.Land use is important for anything for growth and getting a company to come and spec buildings and housing for people wanting to live in Union. •Look at neighboring land •.Not necessarily, especially in rural areas •Not sure how to accomplish this •Residential •Salvage •.Should be compatible, but rural living does not equal industrial living •Sprawl
What kind of economic drivers do you think are appropriate for Union County, i.e. professional/technical resource centers, class A office, retail?
•Retail (noted 5 times) •.Training center for technical skills (noted 2 times) •Active Senior Community •Adult education •Available office and warehouse space •.Bank finance / Pool Economic Development •.Setting table for new industry with class A sites/buildings while creating an environment and infrastructure for other types. Ex: drivers, retail, continuous learning •.Chain Hardware Store Ex: Lowes, Home Depot •.Chain restaurant Ex: Long Horn, Applebee’s •.City/county beautification – we need to “look” like a clean, healthy, vibrant, community •Cultural Centers •.Expansion of USCU and SCC programs •.Housing Inventory (subdivisions with covenants etc.) •Jobs first •Lake •Land availability •Look healthy •Natural Resources •Qualified Workforce •Recreation for young people •Sense of place •Technology center •.University programs (BSRN, PA, Optometry, etc.) •Walkability
154154 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
How do we enhance our position in this competitive region to attract new economic development?
•.Education training to develop skilled workforce (noted 2 times) •Assets – workforce – buildings •Business funding Co-op •Clean up our communities •Community development •Expand build-up Lockhart River •.Market Union for its lower cost of living •Natural gas in rural areas •.Need a comprehensive marketing plan •Quality of life – rebuild •Reopen John D. Long •Trained/motivated employee pool
What transportation choices and improvements do you think will assist in enhancing land use form and function, i.e. new roads, intersection improvements, lighting, transit, etc.? Describe areas where enhancements should be considered.
•Road maintenance (noted 3 times) •.Four lane Highway 49 connector to I-26 (noted 3 times) •.Public Transit – local and to Spartanburg health care facility (noted 3 times) •.New roads i.e. corridor – 275 Loop from Pacolet touching Union connecting I-26 (noted 3 times) •.Capitalize on dual rail system for industry recruitment (Carlisle) •.County and City beautification projects •Four lane Highway 72 •Land opportunities for development •.Local transportation for county and city citizens (Highway 18) •.New bridge asset (market Lockhart new bridge) •.Regional sewer system to the smaller communities
What do you want the plan to accomplish regarding these elements?
Land Use •.Have land set aside for development/economic development with water and sewer available to accommodate industrial needs with ample workforce (noted 3 times) •.Land use should ensure communities have public “green” space for family use i.e. parks/trails (noted 2 times) •.Develop a land use study to define potential areas of improvements/developments and possible zoning (noted 2 times) •.Add a beautification program for the city and county •.Complete an asset inventory of property (include condition) and structure throughout Union County – “you cannot manage what you cannot measure”
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 155155 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Economic Development •.Establish countywide sewer/gas authority to open up more areas of Union County for industrial, commercial, and residential development (noted 5 times) •.Create an environment that attracts business, families, and industrial groups to Union County. Increase both local opportunities for employment and broaden the tax base for community services. Also enhanced education will aid in recruiting families to the community (noted 2 times) •.Roads throughout Union County need improvement in order to foster economic development and bug industry growth (noted 2 times) •.Expand the existing industrial park or develop a new industrial park. Plan going forward for supporting industrial and commercial growth. (noted 2 times) •.Protected/defined industrial corridor/commercial areas (noted 2 times) •.An environment for the small to moderate farmer thrive here •.Attract small businesses to main street •.Control/limit nuisance operation i.e. junkyards, salvage yards, etc. •Controlled housing development •.County-wide branding effort to define market assets •.Create a committee to set realistic strategies that maximize the use of available land for industrial, commercial, and residential areas •.Develop a way to support growth and education within the community •Develop abandoned property •.How to attract the upper management to live in Union County •.Identify industrial and commercial sites for future development/growth (new and existing industries) •.If we market Union as a place to live, lots of discretionary income will follow the paychecks from those of us that travel will follow. Small businesses will develop naturally around these residential areas •.Infrastructure development (better schools, better healthcare, better housing, better recreation and entertainment) to attract young families to move here, even if they do not work in Union County •Library – Adult Education •.Need to continue to recruit major industry •.See if a Southern Loop around Spartanburg is feasible in the future as these communities continue to grow toward Union County •.Stronger labor force – semi-skilled and skilled •.I-85 corridor is where the growth will be in the upstate. With that said, the northern end of Union County is within driving range. This area needs to be expanded with water systems and sewer. Available housing is an issue for those looking for more than an empty parcel or older home. Housing subdivisions with utilities will be needed in the future plans •.Union County needs to establish zoning/housing developments near Walmart on Hwy 176. This area has infrastructure but needs industrial wastewater
Transportation •.Develop a comprehensive transportation plan to address needs to access all areas – public transportation system for daily use within 3-5 years (noted 4 times) •.Hwy 49 as a four lane to I-26 [385 to 26] (noted 3 times) •.Local transportation – cab service, rental cars, continue road repairs/repaving (noted 2 times)
156156 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Connectors – I-26 to I-77, loop 1-85 to I-77 •Improve transportation corridors •.We need good public transportation around Union County (buses) and out of Union County (buses and trains). Union is within one hour to five major cities. This will allow people to get to jobs and attend schools in other areas and live here and prosper •.Without planned growth, we could end up with congestion issues, best illustrated by Boiling Springs in Spartanburg County Other Responses •.The plan should get goals/objectives that are achievable. It should also embrace accountability of decision makers to ensure it is followed •Decide what we want to be •.Develop what we have before we extend to other areas •.Need regulations that are aligned to the direction union county is headed
What are your ideas for goals for these elements?
Land Use •.Develop a land use plan to target/define areas ready for industrial growth, commercial growth, housing, and infrastructure improvements (noted 3 times) •.Attempt to get industry into Union County through proper land use (noted 2 times) •.Clean up areas and take down dilapidated homes and develop abandoned properties (noted 2 times) •.Purchase additional property for designated use, such as industrial development, immediately (noted 2 times) •.Within five years have – zoning in place, new housing (affordable, energy efficient, close proximity) (noted 2 times) •.Comprehensive land use/zoning while protecting individual landowner’s rights •.Improve “first appearance” on main entry points i.e. school bus maintenance, garbage cleanup •.Homes not on land that should be used for industrial growth •.City and county will work together to obtain and redevelop abandoned sites •.Gather detailed information from city and county water districts, etc. and pull all information into a comprehensive GIS data base and combine it with land use plans, planned projects, and current development •.Seek private party-government for joint ventures to renovate existing properties and clean up Union
Economic Development •.Develop water and sewer extensions with prioritized investments (noted 2 times) •.Eventually combine all economic development functions under one umbrella – next five years (noted 2 times) •.Attract small businesses to main street – shops that attract local and out of state shoppers •.Combine county, city, town and district entities into the water and sewer authority •.Construct a regional sewer system within the next two years •.Create a “small business development fund” by having several banks sharing the risk. This would allow small businesses working capital funds for project expansion. Profits and revenues would reinvest and replenish the fund •.Encourage families to live in Union County •.Have a new park for industrial growth in future years •Planned growth •Proper infrastructure
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 157157 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Retain U.S.C. graduates •.Workforce ready population, otherwise economic development is a non-starter
Transportation •.Launch a transportation system within the next 2-5 years (noted 2 times) •.Identify key road infrastructure development and prioritize investment •.Main roads into Union County and city must be well maintained in appearance •Buses for transportation •.At minimum, a taxi service to benefit the community
Other Responses •A workable growth plan •.Growth will drive transportation and rural development with support road infrastructure •.Get aggressive to attract industry, revive our career and technology centers
What Matters for the Future
Tell me about a place that illustrates the best of Union County; that is what you appreciate most. It could be the downtown area, a neighborhood, a workplace, a natural area – anything.
•.Main Street Junction/Downtown area (noted 12 times) •.Natural Spaces – farms, forests, rivers, lakes (noted 4 times) •USC-Union campus (noted 4 times) •Historical sites (noted 3 times) •Natural Resources (noted 3 times) •.Sumter National Forest (noted 3 times) •.Timken Sports Complex (noted 3 times) •Foster Park (noted 2 times) •.Personal home, land you live on (noted 2 times) •Rose Hill State Park (noted 2 times) •.Union County Stadium and Fairgrounds (noted 2 times) •Architectural structure •.Available lots and land, natural beauty •Climate •.Close to numerous small towns and metro areas •College Campus •History Museum •Jackson’s Family Farms •Library •Neighborhood •People
158158 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Receptive industrial atmosphere (diverse industry base now vs. historical) •.River access for the public – boat ramp on Broad River (Lockhart Area) •.Rolling landscape of Carolina Foothills •Small businesses •Small Town •Veteran’s Park •Workplace
Additional Comments •.All above; area in the community is key to finding community. •.I love the downtown area because of what it can become. I love the safety of walking/running down the streets and the convenience of all the “future” stores/businesses. •.Jackson’s Family Farm – they only sell at a price to afford to continue to operate, work with kids to give work experience (they volunteer in fields) and education. Active, invested community members that have a concern for heath and healthy eating. •Remove some of these old buildings. •.Rose Hill State Park – an example of some of the wonderful architectural and rural settings we have to offer, along with lots of history.
What are three words or phrases you would use to describe this place to a visitor?
•Friendly/welcoming (noted 8 times) •Conveniently located (noted 6 times) •.Historic town/buildings (noted 6 times) •.Beautiful natural surroundings/great views (noted 5 times) •Quiet/peaceful (noted 4 times) •Safe (noted 4 times) •Rural (noted 3 times) •Small town (noted 3 times) •Cozy/relaxing (noted 2 times) •.Education - continued (noted 2 times) •.Family Oriented/environment (noted 2 times) •Fun (noted 2 times) •.Opportunity/possibilities (noted 2 times) •People (noted 2 times) •Rivers (noted 2 times) •Unique (noted 2 times) •Access •Apathy •Attractive •Caring •Charming
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 159159 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Conservative •Divergent •Educational •Farms •Green Spaces •Hunting opportunities •Industrial recruitment strategies •Isolated •Local •Manufacturing •Modern •.Moving forward with economic development •Natural Resources •Newly renovated •Outdoors •Potential •Recreational •Schools •Sights •Strong community •.Strong historical infrastructure Reviving/Reinventing itself •Timberlands and wild acres •Town environment •Work
Additional Phrases •“A place to make home” •.“A great place to live, work, and play” •“All roads lead to Union” •.“Lack of opportunity of the children in county and city.” •“Everybody knows everybody” •“Lots of good people” •“Nice place to live” •“History of Culture”
What are some things about this place that are especially important to you?
•Architecture/history (noted 4 times) •Centrally located (noted 4 times) •Family (noted 4 times) •Small town life (noted 4 times) •Growth (noted 3 times)
160160 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.USC-U/Small campus/teacher-student ratio (noted 3 times) •Friendly (noted 2 times) •Natural Resources (noted 2 times) •Safe (noted 2 times) •Schools (k-12) (noted 2 times) •Access •Accommodating •Attracts out of town guests •Celebrating heritage •Close knit atmosphere •Comfortable •Continued education •Culture •Decreasing poverty •Downtown •Drug problem •Education •Family activities •Gazebo •Green spaces •Hardworking •.Housing potential as a planned suburban place for GSP Acres •Hunting •Improving education •.Inclusion (representation from all stakeholders) •Industry •Inviting •Job opportunities •Multipurpose •Natural landscape – timber, creeks •Open •People •Place for youth to thrive •Pleasant •Progress •Public safety •Recreation •Recreational activities •Reflection •Refuge from bustle •Reliable, progressive fair leadership •Religious Orientation
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 161 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Roots •Safe exercise environment •Secure •Shopping and dining •Sports for children •Timberland •Unifies during bad times •Upkeep of buildings and houses •.Walking distance to the city and county buildings •Water resources •Work field •Workforce •Youth •.“Available to people with limited means” •“Hands on Training” •.“I love that there are many opportunities if we come together in unity and build a working team.” •“It’s home” •.“Maintaining a clean, sustainable environment” •.“My home is what connects me and keeps me here in Union. The roots laid here are the reasons I work to continue to make this a better place for my family.” •.“The people while sustaining is what makes Union special”
Circle the one that is most important in your list in question above.
•Schools (k-12) (noted 2 times) •Access •Close knit atmosphere •Decreasing poverty •Education – continued •Family activities •Family and friends •Green spaces •Growth •.Housing potential as a planned suburban place for GSP Acres •Inviting •Natural resources •Place for youth to thrive •Secure •Timberland •USC-U
162162 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Think about a few things you believe pose a challenge for Union County and then complete the following sentence.
The biggest challenge is… because…
•To clean up the community. •.The lack of unity because creating opportunities for them vs us. •.Placing artificial constraints on wages because of the lack of faith in people. •.Complacency because citizens have been made to believe that Union does not care and is not concerned with growth. •.The declining population because we do not have the ability to sustain a decent quality of life without increasing population and changing our demographic. •.Negativity because social media gives folks a place to complain in an almost public forum – bad information grows into negativity. •.Accessibility/location because we are not located near an interstate (although efforts have been made to tie us to I-26 by creating the 4-Lane, Hwy 176). •.Funding for projects because of the dwindling tax base. •.Lack of educational training because there are not enough skilled workers. •.Workforce, housing, quality of recreation because of education opportunities. •.Getting quality families to move to Union County because the school system is not where they would want their kids to go. •The quality of k-12 schools. •.Affordable housing (starter homes) because young people need housing. •.Low education (leads to lower employment/higher poverty and missed opportunities) because priority is placed elsewhere and there is no support in the community for education. •.The lack of progressive (thought) leaders in decision making roles. •.The public schools (k-12) because whether it’s perception or real, the Union County school system does not provide the quality of education to develop/prepare competitive students. •.The educational level of population because many of our young people seem to be struggling with a direction after high school. •.Community unity because we need to work for the same goals. •.Changing the minds of naysayers because they think change is a bad thing. They see progress as bringing in problems. •.Developing a master plan consensus because there is a lack of coordination between agencies or governments. •.Workforce because there is a lack of qualifications and drugs. •.A declining population because it creates a greater tax burden on those who remain in order to maintain the current level of services. •.The declining workforce because of drug use and home training. There is also generational Government Assistance abuse. •.The growth of the community and medical facilities. •.The quality of life because quality people will not want to make this their home with no quality of life. •.Change and fear of it because of the precedence of that’s the way it has always been done. This stops us from moving forward. •.Participation because getting the public on board on issues in Union can be tough. Public interest is very important in planning for Union County. •.That drug use is on the rise and no one will take care of these matters.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 163163 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CON- DITIONS
APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•.Union’s location because it is off the beaten path. This makes it hard to get people in and our products marketed. •Education and healthcare. •.Population growth because we need people for a tax base and to improve all aspects of living. •.To strengthen the tax base because relative to property values it seems people are paying more into taxes to support things like public safety, health care, education, etc. •.Population decrease because of the lack of job opportunities and housing. •.The mindset of our Elected Officials and citizens because it seems that change is not the best strength. Some cases can’t seem to work together.
Looking at the list of features below, put a check next to the FIVE that you feel are most important for the future of Union County.
•.Schools, colleges and university campus (noted 23 times) •.Rivers, streams, and lakes (noted 17 times) •..Hospitals and clinics (noted 16 times) •.Neighborhoods with a mixture of housing (noted 9 times) •.Town Center/Main Street (noted 8 times) •Industrial areas (noted 7 times) •.Parks, forests, and preserved land (noted 7 times) •Shopping centers (noted 7 times) •.Museum and concert venues (noted 6 times) •Employment centers (noted 5 times) •Houses on small lots (noted 4 times) •.Neighborhoods with housing, offices and shops together (noted 4 times) •Sports facilities (noted 4 times) •.Apartments and condominiums (noted 3 times) •.Community parks and greenways (noted 3 times) •Houses on large lots (noted 3 times) •Senior housing (noted 3 times) •Airport (noted 2 times) •.Arts and community centers (noted 2 times) •Entertainment (noted 2 times) •.Full service/mid-level restaurants (noted 2 times) •Grocery stores (noted 2 times) •.Workforce/Employment (noted 2 times) •Access to healthy food •Bike trail •Country stores •Farmers’ markets •Houses on acreage •Infrastructure upgrades •Locally owned businesses
164164 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CON- DITIONS
APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Recreation •Shade tree neighborhoods •Specialty shops •Valuation of people •Working farms
Strengths •.Convenient to larger cities/centrally located (noted 7 times) •.Natural resources ie… hunting, fishing, recreation, farming, hiking, camping (noted 6 times) •USC-U (noted 5 times) •.Spartanburg Community College (noted 4 times) •Small Town (noted 3 times) •History/architecture (noted 3 times) •Climate (noted 2 times) •Friendly People (noted 2 times) •Safe (noted 2 times) •.Diverse industry supporting BMW expanding over the past 10 years •Expanding industry •Inclusive •Infrastructure •Land •.Large amount of underdeveloped property •Library •Lower cost of living for region •Natural forests •Pretty good environment to live •Pulling together through crisis •.Reasonable/good political environment •Water/sewer infrastructure, city •.Willingness of utility department to extend infrastructure throughout county to assist in economic development •YMCA •Five Utility Providers (noted 2 times) •Creating competitiveness in ED •.Historical Society and excellent small county museum •Timken Complex •County Scholarship •Charitability of services of all kinds •Robust transportation network •Good Downtown Infrastructure •Tourism assets/volume •.Prep and planning foresight for industrial site development
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 165165 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Weaknesses •.Lack of recreation facilities (noted 6 times) •.No restaurants/fine dining (noted 4 times) •.Perception of K-12 and State school report card results (noted 4 times) •Healthcare (noted 3 times) •.Decreasing/aging workforce/population (noted 2 times) •Lack of subdivisions (noted 2 times) •Low wages/income (noted 2 times) •.No land use protections (noted 2 times) •.Small business/variety (noted 2 times) •“Old School” mindset in leadership •Acceptance of new comers •Affordable housing •Blighted properties •Complacency of Community •Diverse industry •Education level of general population •Fragmented group competing •Lack of Clothing and Shoe Stores •Lack of cultural environment •Lack of Rental Apartments •Negative view of Union from within •.No Department Stores other than Walmart •No large venue Event Center •No movie theatres •No resident State Senator •.Possibility of losing young people to a larger town with more opportunities •Roads •Tax base •Unsustainable Government projects •Workforce development •Need land use and zoning regulation •How people are valued and treated •Utility Rates •Lack of access to fresh food •.Entrepreneurial education and resources •.Lack of leadership on county and city level for downtown development support •Few public/private partnerships •Lack of Clothing and Shoe store
166166 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Opportunities •.Lake/Reservoir project (noted 4 times) •.USC-U expansion-Nursing-P.A. School (noted 4 times) •.Restaurant recruitment (noted 3 times) •.Housing development with growth (noted 2 times) •.Small business (dependent upon market) (noted 2 times) •.Available property for housing developments •Better marketing for Union •Big Buck/Drag strip/historic sites •Clothing and shoe stores •Community scholarship program •Companies are hiring •.Current culture favors natural resources/recreation/organic •.Explosive Growth in GSP and Charlotte •Good hospital/medical care •Leadership at local level •Library •Market to folks who work here •Need more Doctors •New industry •Planned growth patterns •.Recruiting management to live here so that city and county work together •.Smaller size allows for faster implementation •Spartanburg Community College •.Truck terminal and big truck garage, combination stadium and event center •Entities coming together •.People and their capacity to grow when treated well •Market to folks who drive into Union •Need a movie theatre
Threats •Aging population (noted 3 times) •Declining population (noted 3 times) •.Drugs, meth, brain drain, and associated crime (noted 2 times) •Income level (noted 2 times) •Shrinking tax base (noted 2 times) •Apathy •Blight •Building inspectors •Business owners protectionism •Continued business closures
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 167167 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
•Demographics •Digital Infrastructure lacking •Dilapidated properties •Failure to act •Healthcare •Hotel downtown •.Internal Union County negativity/lack of unity with county •Lack of affordable housing •Lack of high paying jobs •Lack of investment dollars •.Lack of teenage appropriate activities/recreational variety •Leadership isn’t “with the times” •.No central source of information/media/advertising •.No new housing/no rental units unless government subsidizes •.Not marketing Union to locals and outsiders •Owners won’t sell property •Pension system •Roads •Unfunded liabilities •Informing and educating population •How people are valued and treated •.Continuing to fund non-sustainable projects with grant funds •Work culture of youth •.Non-progressive mind-set, status quo mentality •Increasing poverty rate •Lack of diversified job market •Priority of values •.Focus on tourism and attracting business not on quality of life for current residents
COMMUNITY SURVEY REPORT As a public engagement component of the Comprehensive Plan, Union County and the City of Union conducted a Community Survey in the fall of 2018 to obtain opinions on a number of issues related to quality of life, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, and future development patterns.
Printed copies of the survey were made available at Union County and the City of Union facilities or those without internet access or for those who prefer a paper survey. Social media proved to be an effective way to direct people to the survey as completed surveys increased following the posting on Facebook. A total of 357 surveys were completed. Following are the questions and responses fromresidents.
168168 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.1 Question 1
The most important consideration for development regulations for the future should
be.... Individual Land Owners' Desires 70.00% ONLY 61.84% 60.00% Mostly Land Owners' Desires 50.00% Balance of Land Owners' Desires 40.00% and Community's Best Interests 30.00% Mostly the Community's Best 20.00% 15.79% Interests 11.84% 10.00% 5.26% 5.26% The Community's Best Interests 0.00% ONLY Key Consideration
Figure A.2 Question 2
Our community should grow in the next ten years by encouraging.... 60.00% 52.77% 50.00% Strategic Growth ONLY 40.00% 29.82% Mostly Strategic Growth 30.00% Balanced Approach 20.00% 16.62% Mostly No Growth
10.00% No Growth 0.26% 0.53% 0.00% Growth Consideration
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 169169 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.3 Question 3
The best way for our community to develop is through.... 60.00% 52.11% New Construction ONLY 50.00% Mostly New Construction 40.00% 28.42% 30.00% Balanced Approach
20.00% 12.89% Mostly Redevelopment/ Reuse/ 10.00% Preservation 3.16% 3.42% Redevelopment/ Reuse/ 0.00% Preservation ONLY Key Development Method
Figure A.4 Question 4 Our community should plan for.... 100.00% 87.89% 90.00% Existing residents and businesses 80.00% ONLY
70.00% Mostly existing residents and 60.00% businesses 50.00% Both existing and future 40.00% residents and businesses 30.00% Mostly future residents and 20.00% businesses 4.21% 4.21% 10.00% Future residents and businesses 2.11% 1.58% ONLY 0.00% Key Consideration
170170 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.5 Question 5
Development in our community should be guided by.... 80.00% 72.87% 70.00% 60.00% Minimal Regulation ONLY 50.00% Mostly Minimal Regulation 40.00% Balanced Approach 30.00% Mostly Strict Regulation 20.00% 15.69% Strict Regulation ONLY 10.00% 5.32% 5.85% 0.27% 0.00% Development Enforcement
Figure A.6 Question 6 New residential development should take place primarily in.... 80.00% 73.21% Small lot or mixed-use 70.00% developments ONLY 60.00% Mostly small lot or mixed-use 50.00% developments
40.00% Both 30.00% 20.00% Mostly large lot residential 11.67% 11.14% subdivision developments 10.00% 3.18% 0.80% Large lot residential subdivision 0.00% developments ONLY Type Consideration
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 171 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.7 Question 7 New development in our community should.... Let Developers choose 70.00% amenities ALWAYS 60.00% 57.75% Mostly let Developers choose 50.00% amenities
40.00% Balanced Approach
30.00% 19.79% Mostly require pedestrian 20.00% sidewalks, trails and other 10.96% amenities 10.00% 6.95% 4.55% Require pedestrian sidewalks, trails and other amenities 0.00% ALWAYS Amenities
Figure A.8 Question 8 New streets in our community should focus on.... 80.00% 70.03% Bike and pedestrian friendly 70.00% ONLY 60.00% Mostly bike and pedestrian 50.00% friendly
40.00% Balanced Approach 30.00% 20.00% 16.71% Mostly automobile / traffic flow 7.69% 10.00% 2.92% 2.65% Automobile / traffic flow ONLY 0.00% Key Consideration
172172 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.9 Question 9
Does Union County have sufficient opportunities for job training, and if not what is missing? [check all that apply] 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% Responses 0.00%
Figure A.10 Question 10
Does Union County have adequate housing options, and if not what types of housing are missing? [check all that apply] 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Responses
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 173173 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.11 Question 11
What recreational facilities are missing or need improvement? [check all that apply] 50.00%
45.00%
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00% Responses 0.00%
174 174 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.12 Question 12
Which natural features should be protected from development? [check all that apply] 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Responses
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 175175 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.13 Question 13
If an increase in property taxes is needed to fund community improvements, what would you support? [check all that apply] 50.00% 45.00% 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% Responses 0.00%
176 176 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.14 Question 14
My most immediate transportation need is: 50.00% 45.00% 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% Responses 5.00% 0.00%
Figure A.15 Question 15
Due to limited funding, two transit options are being considered for the short term (1-3 years) to provide public transportation within the County. Please select the one that would … 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% Responses Limited Demand Response for Vanpool Program serving General Public, door to door by employment related trips appointment only (5 hours a day Monday to Friday)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 177 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.16 Question 16
Limited Demand Response for General Public, door to door by appointment only (5 hours a day Monday to Friday) - choose one: 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% Responses 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% 7:00 AM to Noon Noon to 5:00 PM 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Figure A.17 Question 17
Vanpool Program serving employment related trips beginning at: 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% Responses 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% City of Union Jonesville Carlisle Lockhart Other (please specify)
178178 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.18 Question 18
If vanpool is provided, I would like to go: 70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00% Responses
20.00%
10.00%
0.00% Within Union County to Union County to Spartanburg Manufacturers in the area
Figure A.19 Question 19
Two options are being considered in the Medium - Long Term (3+ years). Please select the one that would work best for you: 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Responses Expanded Demand Response for the Express Route from Union to General Public, door to door by Spartanburg to connect to SPARTA appointment only (12 hour day, Service (two trips a day / one in the Monday to Friday - County wide morning and one in the afternoon, service) Monday to Friday)
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 179179 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.20 Question 20 Express Route from Union to Spartanburg to connect to Spartanburg Bus Service SPARTA (two trips a day / one in the morning and one in the afternoon, Monday to Friday) 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% Responses 20.00% 0.00% From City of From From Carlisle From Lockhart Other (please Union Jonesville specify)
Figure A.21 Question 21
Which community best describes where you live? 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% Responses 0.00% Sardis Santuc Buffalo Philippi Bonham Monarch Rose Hill Rose Whitmire Southside Cross Keys Cross Neal Shoals Neal Kelly Kelton Kelly City of Union Other (please… Live outside of… outside Live Unincorporated… Town of Carlisle of Town Town of Lockhart Town of Jonesville
180180 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.22 Question 22
If you are a resident, how long have you lived in Union County? 70.00% 57.95% 60.00%
50.00% 1 - 5 years
40.00% 6 - 10 years
30.00% 11 - 20 years 19.21% 21 years plus 20.00% 9.27% 9.60% Lifelong resident 10.00% 3.97% 0.00% Years
Figure A.23 Question 23 Please select your age category.
30.00% 28.12% 24.60% 25.00% 23.32% 19 and under
20.00% 20 - 29 30 - 44 15.00% 13.10% 45 - 54
10.00% 55 - 64 7.35% 65 - 74 5.00% 2.24% 1.28% 75 and over 0.00% Range
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 181 APPENDIX A | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Figure A.24 Question 24 What is your household size? 40.00% 37.50% 35.00%
30.00% 1 25.00% 19.55% 2 20.00% 18.59% 3 14.10% 15.00% 4 10.26% 10.00% 5 or more 5.00%
0.00% Number of Persons
COMMUNITY REVIEW Focus group members were asked to review the final draft plan in November 2020 and provide comments. The Comprehensive Plan was then shared with the public via the Union County and Catawba Regional Council of Governements websites in December 2020 prior to the public hearing and adoption process..
182182 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B |EXISTING CONDITIONS
APPENDIX B EXISTING CONDITIONS
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 183183 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
APPENDIX B EXISTING CONDITIONS
PURPOSE In order for Union County to plan for the future, the community has to assess current conditions. Existing Conditions are addressed for Population, Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Economic Development, Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, Community Facilities, Health, and Education.
POPULATION The Population element provides demographic data so that growth patterns and trends can be identified. Sources of population data are the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey. As reflected in Figure B.1 Population, Union County’s population data is compared to South Carolina. Between 2000 and 2017, the population in South Carolina experienced increases in growth at approximately 22% over the seventeen year timefrme. In comparison, Union County’s population remained relatively flat with no significant population change. Age of residents is another factor to consider and provides context for other elements in the Comprehensive Plan. Table B.1 Population Change between 2000 - 2010 shows population data from the U.S. Census by race, gender and age. Population declines over this decade were -3.08% overall and all age sectors declined in population except persons 65 years and over which grew slightly by 2.12%.
Figure B.1 Population
6,000,000
4,893,444 5,000,000 4,447,862 4,012,012 4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
29,881 29,118 27,772 0 2000 2010 2017
South Carolina Union County
Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey, 2013 - 2017
184184 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.1 Population Change between 2000 - 2010
2010 Census 2000 Census 2000 - 2010 Change Union County Count Percentage Count Percentage Change Percentage Total Population 28,961 100% 29,881 100% -920 -3.08
Population by Race American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 67 0.23% 44 0.15% 23 52.3% Asian Alone 79 0.27% 55 0.18% 24 43.6% Black and African American Alone 9,066 31.3% 9,278 31.0% -212 -2.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Native Alone 11 0.04% 11 0.04% 0 0.0% Some Other Race Alone 92 0.32% 49 0.16% 43 87.8% Two or More Races 360 1.24% 182 0.61% 178 97.8% White Alone 19,434 66.8% 20,262 67.8% -828 -4.09%
Population by Hispanic or Latino Origin (or any race) Persons Not of Hispanic or Latino Origin 28,679 99% 29,682 99.3% -1,003 -3.38% Persons of Hispanic or Latino Origin 282 1.0% 199 0.7% 83 41.71%
Population by Gender Female 15,181 52.4% 15,806 52.8% -625 -3.95% Male 13,780 47.5% 14,075 47.1% -295 -2.10%
Population by Age Persons 0 - 4 years 1,674 5.8% 1,894 6.3% -220 -11.62% Persons 5 - 19 years 4,926 17.0% 5,232 17.5% -306 -5.85% Persons 20 - 64 years 17,592 60.7% 18,085 60.5% -493 -2.73% Persons 65 years and over 4,769 16.5% 4,670 15.6% 99 2.12% Source: U.S. Census
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 185185 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.2 Existing Land Use
186186 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
LAND USE Land in Union County is primarily agricultural and forest lands with 72% of the total existing land use being classificed as Undeveloped and Preserved Open Space lands. Growth in Union County will primarily occur in the areas surrounding jurisdictions and between the City of Union and the Town of Jonesville. Table B.2 Existing Land Use provides data on eight land use categories.
Table B.2 Existing Land Use Existing Land Use Acres Sq Miles Precentage Preserved Open Space 63,232.10 98.80 19.6% Gen Open Space 1,298.20 2.03 0.4% Undeveloped 170,048.80 265.70 52.7% Agriculture 14,198.50 22.19 4.4% Residential 69,400.40 108.44 21.5% Institutional 1,834.70 2.87 0.6% Commercial 462.10 0.72 0.1% Industrial 2,172.50 3.39 0.7% Total 322,647.30 504.14 100.0%
Source: Catawba Regional Council of Governments, 2019
TRANSPORTATION A successful transportation system includes a universal design that is safe and accessible to all. Although streets make up the majority of the transportation network, sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails are also vital components. Figure B.3 shows the Functional Class designations and Traffic Counts for Union County. The functional classifications are determined by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). SCDOT is responsible for planning, improving and maintaining the streets that are in the state and federal transportation systems.
The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) 2017—2022 is the comprehensive transportation plan for South Carolina and provides a detailed listing and funding plan for the major road improvements, new road construction, transit projects, pedestrian and bicycle projects, and other elements of the state’s transportation network.
Transportation and land use are the key parts of Union County’s physical character. Roads, streets, trails, bike lanes, and sidewalks not only provide access, but help define the landscape. Traffic and congestion are anticipated results of high population growth and development.
A Union County Transit Feasibility Study was completed by AECOM in 2019 with support from SCDOT through a State Mass Transit Fund Grant and in partnership with the City of Union and the towns of Carlisle, Jonesville, and Lockhart. The study concluded that public transportation services in Union County are needed to address transportation barriers and increase mobility. Steering Committee meetings, surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and a peer workshop were held during the development of the study. Currently Union County is pursuing to implement the first of three transit phases, Demand Response Servive which provides door to door service open to the general public and for all trip purposes. The service would only be available for a limited period of time during the day due to constraints in funding. After the three-
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 187187 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.3 Functional Class and Traffic Count
188188 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS year pilot project is complete, it is recommended to extend the transit service for longer periods and later provide a Vanpool Program and a Medical and Commuter Service to Spartanburg from Union.
HOUSING Housing includes the buildings and/or shelters where people reside. These dwellings can vary in type, age, condition and affordability. The housing element relates to other elements of the Comprehensive Plan including population, transportation and economic development. Housing resources are important because they are essential for fostering high quality of life of residents and supporting the anticipated population growth of Union County. A lack of housing diversity and affordability can cause negative impacts to the economic competiveness of a region. Figure B.4 Housing Density and Figure B.5 Housing Type reflect the existing conditions for housing in Union County. Housing condition is also a key factor in maintaining good public health and community development. Elderly residents may experience unique issues related to housing affordability, maintenance costs and transit needs.
The Housing Authority of Union has been serving the citizens of Union County since 1960 and provides subsidized housing for low income residents as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the county. The Housing Authority currently maintains 287 single family public housing units. The Housing Authority has 54 Section 8 New Construction (Multi-Family) units at the Lakeside Manor Apartments, which are located at 1111 Lakeside Drive, Union, SC 29379. The Housing Authority also has 274 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Each of these services are provided so that people in need can obtain safe, decent and affordable housing in five locations.
Special needs housing is housing options that are provided for individuals who are physically or mentally challenged or homeless. For those individuals who are special needs, it is important for the community to provide assistance in temporary or permanent housing choices because this individuals are not capable of providing housing for themselves and/or their families.
Various agencies and religious institutions provide support toward special needs housing. The Union County Disabilities and Special Needs Board assists with residential programs as well as the Salvation Army. The Union County Disabilities and Special Needs Board administers residential programs for persons with mental retardation, autism, head or spinal cord injuries and related disabilities. The housing options provided for these persons with disabilities include the following:
• Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) - This eight-bedroom facility provides 24-hour staff support plus nursing to residents with special needs/disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, autism, or head and spinal cord injury. This facility operates under a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Quality (DHEC) licensure. Union County currently has one ICF housing facility.
• Community Training Homes (CTH) - These homes house three to four residents each and provide 24-hour staff support, skills training community activity to consumers requiring a less intensive level of support. Union County currently has eight such homes that provide 11 female beds and 19 male beds for people with special needs/disabilities. Residents in these facilities typically work and train in a sheltered workshop and sometimes gain work experience in the community either on mobile crews or sometimes on independent jobs.
• Supervised Living Program (SLP) - Those participating in the SLP program can be found living independently in their
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 189189 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.4 Housing Density
190190 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.5 Housing Type
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 191 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
own homes throughout the county. These folks possess their independent living skills but require a small degree of support. The program staff does provide skills training and assists with transportation, but they do not provide 24-hour on-site supervision. Union County has five SLP units and is currently serving five tenants.
According to The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 2016 Report, there were 36 cases of persons with AIDS in Union County as of 2013 and another 57 persons have tested positive for the HIV virus. Piedmont Care in Spartanburg and Union, SC provides medical support, emergency financial assistance and other support services to persons with AIDS/HIV and their families. This agency also provides housing placement assistance for persons with HIV/ AIDS and their families who are either homeless or at risk for becoming homeless.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, South Carolina experienced a slight decrease of the number of homeless persons between 2017 and 2018, with an estimated decrease of .4% to a total of 3,933 homeless persons. The population of Union County (27,410) is approximately .5% of the total South Carolina population (5,084,127). In generalizing, Union County has .5% of the total population in South Carolina and if Union County has .5% of the homeless population of 3,933, the County should have approximately 20 homeless persons.
The South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness is a statewide network of advocates, service providers and funders committed to ending homelessness with the goals of research, advocacy, policy, and promoting collaboration to end homelessness. South Carolina is divided into four Continuums of Care. A Continuum of Care (COC) is a regional planning body that coordinates housing and services funding families and individuals experiencing homeless. The COC organizations are also responsible for conducting and reporting annual Point-in-Time counts of the homeless population in the geographic area they serve. The Upstate COC provides support for Union County and includes approximately 80 homeless service providers operating in Union County and twelve surrounding counties in the Upstate. The lead agency for the Upstate COC is United Housing Connections located in Greenville, SC. Union County currently has no privately or publically operated homeless shelters; however, there are shelters in Spartanburg, Rock Hill, and Charlotte, NC.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Catawba Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) states the Union / Spartanburg Commuter Shed, consisting of Union, Cherokee, and Spartanburg counties, experienced moderate population growth between 2010 and 2015. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, population of this Commuter Shed increased from 369,211 persons in 2010 to 381,273 by 2015 representing a growth rate over the 5 year period of 3.3% with an annual rate of 0.65%, which fell short of the United States average of 0.74% for the same period.
The Traded Clusters within the Union / Spartanburg Commuter Shed with the highest 2015 employment numbers in excess of 5,000 were Automotive, Distribution and Electronic Commerce, and Business Services. Within these clusters, extraordinary growth can be seen between 2010 and 2015 in the Automotive sector and significant growth with Distribution and Electronic Commerce. Automotive created 7,236 jobs during the five year period primarily due to BMW and its supporting industries, Distribution and Electronic Commerce added 1,727 jobs, while Business Services added 310 jobs. Areas of loss during this time include Paper and Packaging, Textile Manufacturing, and Transportation and Logistics. The losses of jobs in this sector were offset by a net creation of 10,247 jobs between 2010 and 2015.
192192 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Textile Manufacturing experienced a rapid decline in jobs between 1998 and 2002. After this period, employment within several of the major Traded Clusters within the commuter shed tracked with overall employment trends during this same period showing a steep decline between 2008 and 2010 following the Great Recession.
A notable cluster during this period of recession and recovery is the Automotive cluster. Automotive saw a sharp decline between 2008 and 2011 but has seen a rapid recovery between 2011 and 2014. As underscored in the prior job creation section, the Automotive cluster continued its recovery through 2015 as BMW continued to expand, adding approximately 1,100 jobs in that year. Distribution and Electronic Commerce has steadily rebounded, although has not fully recovered to pre-recession job levels.
Total employment among all traded clusters within the commuter shed has not returned to levels seen in year 2000 of approximately 75,000 jobs. However, continued growth in 2015 within Automotive and Distribution and Electronic Commerce in particular point toward continued overall recovery and return to 2000 levels with a more diverse overall economy as the commuter shed moves away from Textile Manufacturing as a major employment base.
The Catawba Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) was formed in 1982 to promote business growth in the region. Currently, five different loan programs are available from the CRDC including the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Fund Program, Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program, SC Agribusiness Loan Fund (ALF) Program, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Intermediary Relending
Table B.3 Loan Programs
SBA 504 EDA RLF SCALF RLF USDA IRP SCDHEC BCRLF
$50,000 - $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 - $50,000- Loan Amount $5,500,000 -$500,000 -$400,000 $250,000 $1,000,000
Standard Term (Years) 10, 20, or 25 10, 15, or 20 10, 15, or 20 10, 15, or 20 10
Eligible SC Counties Entire State 29 SC Counties 35 SC Counties Entire State Entire State
Industrial Industrial Family Farmers Industrial Government Service Service Agribusinesses Service Non-Profit Eligible Entities Commercial Commercial Aquaculture Commercial Public Retail Retail Retail Private
Environmental Eligible Uses Land & Building Purchase, Building Expansion, Machinery, and Equipment Cleanup
Funds can be used in conjunction with bank financing to fund up to 90% of eligible Up to 80% of eligible Total Financing project costs. project costs
Job creation is a key component to the program, with a goal to create one permanent No Job Creation Job Creation job for every $75,000 of program funds loaned. Requirement Source: Catawba Regional Development Corporation, 2019
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 193193 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.4 Union County Employers - Private
Company No. of Employees Type of Product Gestamp South Carolina, LLC 800 Stamping, automotive supplier Dollar General Distribution Center 610 Distribution Center Belk E-commerce 575 Distribution & fulfillment center Timken Bearings-Tyger River Plant 241 Anti-friction roller bearings Haemonetics 234 Medical devices in flexible packaging Milliken-Cedar Hill 234 Woven Fabrics Standard Textile Carolina 160 Fabric finishing Carlisle Finishing Plant 150 Finishing cotton and synthetic fabric Sonoco Products 115 Plastic products Gonvauto South Carolina 98 Steel Processing Milliken- Gillespie Plant 90 Woven Fabrics Lockhart Power Company 53 Power Company Jervis B. Webb 48 Ferrous & non-ferrous forgings Vapor Appareal 46 Sewing Spectra Colorants 32 Printing & dyeing garments Kemper Corporation 28 Sewing/Process Cargo Straps Timken Industrial Bearings Services 28 Anti-friction roller bearings Parts & Machinery 26 Fabricated Piping McFarland Cascade 24 Treated poles, treated piling CPE-Consumer Products Enterprises 22 Felts, pressed/needle looms GES Recycling 21 Recovery of Waste Materials Construction Resource Group 18 Water and wastewater concrete forms and tanks Allied Industrial International 14 Flooring Premier Colors 10 Color chemicals Piedmont Concrete Products 9 Concrete Southeast Emulsion 8 Liquid asphalt storage International Paper Co. 4 Wood chips mill/paper Materials Unlimited 4 Surplus, over-runs non-woven Anduran 3 Custom roto-molding Santuc Precision 3 Machining & Stamping Pioneer Machine Shop 3 Machining & Stamping Resolute Forest Products Pulpwood Source: Union Development Board, 2019
194194 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.5 Union County Employers - Public
Company No. of Employees Type of Service Union County School District 544 Public Education Union Medical Center 404 Health Services SC State Government 230 State Government County of Union 170 Local Government City of Union 124 Local Government Town of Jonesville 5 Local Government Town of Carlisle 1 Local Government Source: Union Development Board, 2019
Program (IRP), and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF) Program. Information about this lending programs are reflected in Table B.3 and public and private employers in Union County are reflected in Table B.4 Union County Employers Private and Table B.5 Union County Employers Public.
Cultural Resources Battle of Musgrove Mill - The Battle of Musgrove Mill was fought 15 miles southwest of Union on the west side of S. C. Highway 56. The battle was fought August 18, 1780. The American forces defeated the British forces, under Colonels Williams, Shelby, and Clark under Col. Innis. Capt. Shadrick Inman was the hero in the battle. A marker in his honor is located at the battlefield. This property was named a state park in 1999.
Blackstock Battlefield - Eleven miles west of Union on the south side of the Tyger River is Blackstock Battlefield. Efforts are underway to have the battlefield made into a state park. This battle was fought on 20 November 1780 near Blackstock’s Ford on Tyger River, within the boundaries of modern-day Union County SC but also close to its border with Spartanburg County. The American forces were led by the militia general Thomas Sumter (aka “The Gamecock”) while the British were commanded by Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton. The British claimed victory, though they suffered substantially higher casualties than the Americans. Sumter was seriously injured during the battle and was out of action for about ten weeks.
Buffalo Textile Community – Located about three miles northwest of Union, the Buffalo Textile Plant and Community are considered a prime example of a textile community. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a model of the plant and village are part of the textile display in the South Carolina State Museum. Buffalo is one of the mills built by Colonel Thomas Cary Duncan.
Central School – Located at the intersection of Academy and North Church Streets, Central School, built in 1891, was the first public school building in Union. At first, this school housed the elementary grades until the 1970’s when the Union County School Board closed it. The property was then acquired by the University of South Carolina – Union (USC – U). After extensive and careful restoration and renovation, the century-old structure is the proud home of the UCS-U library, administrative and facility offices. Central School is also on the National Register of
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 195195 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Historic Places. Corinth Baptist Church – North Herndon Street. About one block north of Main Street, Corinth Baptist Church was the first black congregation in the City of Union and was organized sometime after the Civil War. The present church building was built in 1843 and was rehabilitated in 1991. It has been renovated and enlarged several times, and the most recent renovation was completed and dedicated in celebration of the centennial of the church.
Cross Keys House - Barham Bobo built The Cross Keys House on the Cross Keys Highway in 1814. Jefferson Davis dined there in 1865. Robert and Jean Spicer, who hoped to operate one room of the house as a bed and breakfast, owned the house.
Episcopal Church of the Nativity – This church is on the corners of Church and Pinckney. Dating from 1855, this one-story rusticated granite structure is Gothic Revival in style. The windows were designed by Louis B. Tiffany; the central figure in the United States associated the Art Nouveau Movement.
Fairforest Hotel – 221 East Main Street. The Fairforest Hotel is a five story building constructed in 1924-1926. The Fairforest Hotel is significant for its association with the development of the City during the 1920s, a decade characterized by unusual growth, optimism, and community pride. The building was rehabilitated into elderly housing in 1993.
Fishdam – 14.5 miles southeast of Union on the Broad River. Fishdam is a pre-historic construction of hand-fitted stones. The structure spans the Broad River in a zigzag pattern and is easily seen when the water level is low. Its origin is ancient and unknown
Governor Thomas B. Jeter House – 203 Thompson Boulevard. The Jeter House was constructed in 1859 by Thomas Bothwel Jeter, former Governor of South Carolina. He represented both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. He also served as President of the Spartanburg and Union Railroad from 1861 to 1873. It is an outstanding example of early Victorian influence on the ante-bellum architecture. The interior features a curving staircase and decorative plasterwork in the parlor ceiling. The Jeter House is now the home of Colonel (Ret.) and Mrs. W.J. Whitener.
Herndon Terrace – Herndon Terrace, which was built around 1848, was the home of John Pratt, the inventor of the typewriter. Having perfected his invention during the Civil War, it was necessary for him to go to England to protect his patent. He designed Herndon Terrace for Zacharia Herndon, whose family members were lawyers and planters. The home, now a private residence, is located off the road near the corner of Wilson and North Pinckney streets.
John Pratt Marker – Union County Courthouse Grounds. This marker was erected in memory of John Pratt, the inventor of the first practical typewriter in Union April 13, 1831.
The Inn at Merridun – 100 Merridun Place. Bed & Breakfast, Weddings, Teas, Luncheons. Merridun was built in 1855 by Colonel Keenan, which was later, the home of Colonel Thomas Cary Duncan, who represented Union County in the SC Legislature where he served in both the House and Senate. But more importantly, he built the first successful cotton mill in Union in 1893. This began the history of Union as a textile community. In addition to
196196 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS building Union Mill, he also built Buffalo Mill and the Union Buffalo Railroad. Muscogee Mill Battle Site – 15 miles southwest of Union on the west side of S. C. 56 and on the north side of the Enoree River. A Revolutionary War Battlefield dating to 1780.
Pinckneyville – Northwest corner of Union County. 13 miles from Union and 1.5 miles from the confluence of the Pacolet and Broad Rivers. In 1791 two Circuit Court Districts were added to the seven districts in South Carolina. It is rumored when congress was looking for a suitable site for the nation’s military academy, Pinckneyville was one of the sites considered, but lost to West Point, by one vote. Pinckneyville was something of a clock-making center and included a shop owned by Seth Thomas.
Rose Hill Plantation State Park – 9.5 miles southeast of Union on the west side of S. C. Highway 35 at its junction with S. C. 24. Rose Hill, an upcountry cotton plantation house was built between 1828 and 1832. Rose Hill received its name because it stands on a slight rise and was noted for its rose garden, which was said to contain 100 rose bushes.
The three-story house was the home of William H. Gist, often called South Carolina’s Secessionist Governor. Built of solid brick, which was covered with stucco when Gist renovated it about 1860, the walls are 18 inches thick, the ceilings are high, and the woodwork throughout the house is hand carved. In 1960, the house and surrounding 44 acres became a state park and provides picnic areas and nature trails, which are open daily, from dawn to dusk. It is furnished with many gist pieces, plus appropriate period pieces. The mansion which now appears as it may have just before the War between the States may be toured for a nominal charge Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and weekdays by appointment. (864) 427-5966. The mansion and gardens may be rented for weddings, receptions and other special occasions. Picnic shelters are available and may be reserved in advance for a nominal fee.
State Capital Moved to Union County - The state capital was moved to Union County when Gen. William Sherman was headed toward Columbia at the end of the Civil War, the seat of the state government was moved to judge Thomas Dawkins’s home in Union County, “The Shrubs.”
Old Union Cemetery – Located just past Monarch, a short distance south of Highway 49, is the Old Union Cemetery. It was the graveyard for the old Union Church from which the names for the City and County were derived. Revolutionary War heroes buried there include Colonel John Sharp, William Sharp, Christopher Brandon, William Kennedy, Jr., Colonel Thomas Brandon, Major Thomas Young, James Shadrack, and Squire William Kennedy.
Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church – Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church was organized November 22, 1784, and is the oldest continuous Baptist Congregation in Union County.
Union County Jail – West Main Street. The Union County jail was designed in 1823 by Robert Mills, a South Carolina native and nationally known for his design of the Washington Monument. In operation until the early 1980s, there was only one successful escape. The building currently provides space for County offices.
Union Post Office – 130 West Main Street. The Union Post Office was constructed in 1912. In its history, it has provided space for Federal offices and is currently the District office for Union County Schools.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 197197 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
USC-Union – East Main Street. Get Your Start in Higher Education. USC-Union occupies two historic buildings. The old Union High School, which is the USC Union administration building, located at the corner of East Main and North Church Streets, and the Central Grade School at 309 Academy Street.
There are four main National Register Historic Districts in downtown Union: Downtown Union Historic District, South Street District, East Main District and South Church Street District, along with the following properties also listed on the National Register of Historic places.
Union County Carnegie Library – 300 East South Street. In 1905, the first Carnegie Library in South Carolina was erected in Union. The Andrew Carnegie Foundation gave the City of Union funds to build the library with the stipulation that its yearly support be included in the City’s annual budget. The library houses extensive genealogical records.
Union County Courthouse – West Main Street. The Courthouse, constructed in 1911 – 1913, is a neoclassical two- story brick and concrete building. The center of government in Union County, this building was fully restored in the 1970s. The building features beautiful curving staircases, a courtroom with balcony and a unique indoor fountain.
Union County Historic Museum – West Main Street. The museum offers history of Union County and South Carolina as well as many genealogical and historical artifacts.
Unique Union – Although the name Union has been given to other counties, the South Carolina place name is unique, according to historian, Dr. Allen D. Charles. The Union Meeting House near Brown’s Creek was a name used to describe a cooperative method of using a single church building for different denominational groups. Other counties named Union often reflect a penchant for the national union or for the process of joining land divisions. The Union Church was the origin of the names for both the City and the County of Union.
Wallace House – 430 East Main Street. The former home of W. M. Wallace was built about 1850. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, and his cabinet, dined at the William Wallace House in Union on April 25, 1865. The house, located on East Main Street, was built around 1850. William Wallace was a general in the Confederate Army and later was speaker of the famous Wallace House during Reconstruction in South Carolina. Davis held his last full cabinet meeting in April 1865 before heading south, escorted by 2,000 cavalrymen. He was attempting to avoid Union soldiers, who wanted to arrest him. After the election of General Wade Hampton as Governor in 1876, Wallace as a member of the General Assembly was elected Speaker of the House for the Democratic Hampton faction. Opposing them was the Republican Governor Chamberlain, who with this radical group was holding the State House. In the end, Hampton and the Democratic Wallace House prevailed.
NATURAL RESOURCES According to the South Carolina Enabling Act, the Natural Resources element considers prime agricultural and forest land, plant and animal habitats, parks and recreation areas, slope characteristics, scenic views and sites, wetlands, and soil types. According to the USDA Soil Survey, the entire Union County area is within the Piedmont Plateau. Soils are reflected in Figure B.6 Soils.
198198 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Cecil The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_ Docs/C/CECIL.html
Durham-Cecil-Appling Durham: Fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/D/DURHAM.html Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location. Appling: The Appling series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/ OSD_Docs/A/APPLING.html
Hiwassee-Cecil-Appling Hiwassee: The Hiwassee series consists of very deep, well drained soils on high stream terraces in the Southern Piedmont. They formed in old alluvium derived from felsic and mafic rocks. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is about 58 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is about 43 inches. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HIWASSEE.html
Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location.
Appling: The Appling series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F.
Madison-Cecil: Madison: The Madison series consists of well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered from felsic or intermediate, high-grade metamorphic or igneous rocks high in mica content. They are very deep to bedrock and moderately deep to saprolite. They are on gently sloping to steep uplands in the Piedmont. Slopes are mostly between 4 and 15 percent, but range from 2 to 60 percent. Near the type location, mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 60 inches.https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MADISON.html
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 199199 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.6 Soils
200200 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location.
Pacolet-Enon-Cecil Pacolet: The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/PACOLET.html
Enon: The Enon series consists of very deep, well drained, slowly permeable soils on ridgetops and side slopes in the
Piedmont. They have formed in residuum weathered from mafic or intermediate igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks such as diorite, gabbro, diabase, or hornblende gneiss or schist. Slope ranges from 2 to 45 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F. near the type location. https://soilseries.sc.egov. usda.gov/OSD_Docs/E/ENON.html
Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location.
Pacolet-Madison-Davidson-Cecil Pacolet: The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent.
Madison: The Madison series consists of well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered from felsic or intermediate, high-grade metamorphic or igneous rocks high in mica content. They are very deep to bedrock and moderately deep to saprolite. They are on gently sloping to steep uplands in the Piedmont. Slopes are mostly between 4 and 15 percent, but range from 2 to 60 percent. Near the type location, mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 60 inches.
Davidson: The Davidson series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in materials weathered from dark colored rocks high in ferromagnesian minerals. These soils are on gently sloping to moderately steep uplands in the Piedmont. Slopes are commonly 2 to 15 percent but range up to 25 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda. gov/OSD_Docs/D/DAVIDSON.html
Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 201201 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location.
Wickham-Wehadkee-Toccoa-Riverview-Chewacla-Cartecay Wickham: The Wickham series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on stream terraces in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain and marine terraces in the Lower Coastal Plain terraces. The soil formed in fluvial and marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. The mean annual temperature is 61 degrees F, and the mean annual precipitation is 48 inches near the type location. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WICKHAM.html
Wehadkee: The Wehadkee series consists of very deep, poorly drained and very poorly drained soils on flood plains along streams that drain from the mountains and piedmont. They are formed in loamy sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Near the type location, mean annual precipitation is about 48 inches, and mean annual temperature is about 60 degrees F. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WEHADKEE.html
Toccoa: Coarse-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, thermic Typic Udifluvents https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/ TOCCOA.html
Riverview: The Riverview series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in loamy alluvium on flood plains. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. Near the type location, the average annual temperature is about 66 degrees F. and the average annual precipitation is about 58 inches. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/R/ RIVERVIEW.html
Chewacla: Fine-loamy, mixed, active, thermic Fluvaquentic Dystrudepts https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/ CHEWACLA.html
Cartecay: The Cartecay series consists of somewhat poorly drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick loamy alluvial sediments. These soils have a dark brown loamy surface layer about 9 inches thick and brownish loamy stratified C horizons that are mottled with gray. Near the type location the mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 55 inches. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CARTECAY.html
Wilkes-Enon-Cataula Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WILKES.html
Enon: The Enon series consists of very deep, well drained, slowly permeable soils on ridgetops and side slopes in the Piedmont. They have formed in residuum weathered from mafic or intermediate igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks such as diorite, gabbro, diabase, or hornblende gneiss or schist. Slope ranges from 2 to 45 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F. near the type location.
Cataula: The Cataula series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils formed in material weathered from metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Piedmont. They contain a layer that is dense and partially brittle. Permeability is
202202 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS slow. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CATAULA.html
Wilkes-Hiwassee-Cecil Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent.
Hiwassee: The Hiwassee series consists of very deep, well drained soils on high stream terraces in the Southern Piedmont. They formed in old alluvium derived from felsic and mafic rocks. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is about 58 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is about 43 inches.
Cecil: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F. near the type location.
Wilkes-Pacolet-Davidson Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent.
Pacolet: The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent.
Davidson: The Davidson series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in materials weathered from dark colored rocks high in ferromagnesian minerals. These soils are on gently sloping to moderately steep uplands in the Piedmont. Slopes are commonly 2 to 15 percent but range up to 25 percent.
Wilkes-Pacolet-Enoree-Enon Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent.
Pacolet: The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent.
Enoree: The Enoree series consists of deep, poorly drained, moderately rapidly permeable loamy soils that formed in fluvial
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 203203 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/E/ENOREE.html Enon: The Enon series consists of very deep, well drained, slowly permeable soils on ridgetops and side slopes in the Piedmont. They have formed in residuum weathered from mafic or intermediate igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks such as diorite, gabbro, diabase, or hornblende gneiss or schist. Slope ranges from 2 to 45 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F. near the type location.
Winnsboro-Wilkes Winnsboro: The Winnsboro series consists of deep, well drained, slowly permeable fine soils that formed in material mostly weathered from dark colored basic rocks of the Piedmont. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WINNSBORO.html
Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent.
Winnsboro-Wilkes-Pacolet-Cataula: Winnsboro: The Winnsboro series consists of deep, well drained, slowly permeable fine soils that formed in material mostly weathered from dark colored basic rocks of the Piedmont. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent.
Wilkes: The Wilkes series consists of shallow, well drained soils with moderately slow to slow permeability. They formed in residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks on uplands in the Piedmont. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is 45 inches. Slopes range from 4 to 60 percent.
Pacolet: The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent.
Cataula: The Cataula series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils formed in material weathered from metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Piedmont. They contain a layer that is dense and partially brittle. Permeability is slow. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent.
Waterways, Wetlands, and Hydrology Within South Carolina, there are four major drainage basins: the Pee Dee, Santee, Ashley-Combahee-Edisto, and Savannah River basins. Figure B.7 Watersheds reflects the locations of the six watersheds in Union County.
Watersheds, Major Rivers and Creeks Broad River Watershed (03050106-03) Watershed 03050106-03 is located in Union, Chester, and Fairfield Counties and consists primarily of the Broad River and its tributaries from the Pacolet River to the Tyger River. The watershed occupies 111,273 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. This section of the Broad River accepts drainage from its upper reach, together with Robertson Branch,
204204 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.7 Watersheds
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 205205 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Fanning Creek (Sharps Creek), George Branch, Osborn Branch, the Turkey Creek Watershed, and Hughes Creek (Lake John D. Long, Vanderford Branch). Big Browns Creek (Knox Creek, Bethlehem Creek, Meng Creek) merges with Little Browns Creek to form Browns Creek (Gregorys Creek) and flows into the Broad River, followed by McCluney Creek, Little Turkey Creek, Clarks Creek, Neals Creek (Hobsons Creek), Mineral Creek, Coxs Creek, and the Sandy River Watershed. The lower three-quarters of the watershed, below Turkey Creek, resides within the Sumter National Forest. There are a total of 474.2 stream miles and 447.2 acres of lake waters, all classified FW. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows that there is increasing BOD5 and total nitrogen within the watershed. https://www.scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/docs/ HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_broad.pdf
Enoree River Watersheds (03050108-05 and 03050108-02) Watershed 03050108-05 is located in Newberry and Laurens Counties and consists primarily of the Enoree River and its tributaries from Duncan Creek to its confluence with the Broad River. The watershed occupies 43,303 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. This segment of the Enoree River accepts drainage from its upstream reaches, together with Sulphur Spring Branch, Collins Branch, and the Indian Creek Watershed. South Fork Kings Creek (Little Kings Creek, Means Branch) enters the river near the City of Newberry followed by Fosters Branch, Quarters Branch, and Subers Creek. The entire watershed resides within the Sumter National Forest and the Enoree River Waterfowl Area is located near the confluence with the Broad River. There are a total of 184.5 stream miles and 92.0 acres of lake waters in this watershed, all classified FW. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows that pH levels are increasing however the dissolved oxygen is also increasing while the BOD5 levels, total phosphorus, and fecal coliform are decreasing. https://www.scdhec.gov/sites/ default/files/docs/HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_enoree.pdf
Watershed 03050108-02 is located in Spartanburg, Laurens, and Union Counties and consists primarily of the Enoree River and its tributaries from Beaverdam Creek to Duncan Creek. The watershed occupies 118,681 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. This segment of the Enoree River accepts drainage from its upstream reach, together with Beaverdam Creek (Wallace Branch), Twomile Creek (Hannah Creek), Buckhead Creek, Warrior Creek (Double Branch, Strouds Branch), Enoree Creek, and Cedar Shoals Creek. Elishas Creek enters the river next followed by Frenchman Creek, Johns Creek (Wildcat Branch), Sispring Branch, and Hills Creek. The lower portion of the watershed resides within the Sumter National Forest. There are a total of 480.0 stream miles and 535.1 acres of lake waters in this watershed, all classified FW. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows that there are increasing BOD5 levels but the total nitrogen is decreasing, fecal coliform is decreasing, turbidity is decreasing, and dissolved oxygen is increasing. https://www.scdhec. gov/sites/default/files/docs/HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_enoree.pdf
Fairforest Creek Watershed (03050107-04) Watershed 03050107-04 is located in Spartanburg and Union Counties and consists primarily of Fairforest Creek and its tributaries. The watershed occupies 139,664 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. Fairforest Creek originates near the City of Spartanburg and accepts drainage from Goat Pond Creek, Holston Creek, Beaverdam Creek (Reedy Creek), Foster Creek (Underwood Branch), Reedy Branch, Buffalo Creek (Zimmerman Pond), Fleming Branch, Goose Branch, Stillhouse Branch (Smith Branch), and Lancaster Branch (James Branch, Pauline Creek, Dugan Creek). Kelse Creek flows through Lake Craig (Lake Johnson, Thompson Creek) before entering Fairforest Creek. Black Branch (Whitestone Spring Branch) flows into Fairforest Creek next followed by McElwain Creek (Story Branch, Mineral Spring Branch, Sulphur Spring Branch), Kennedy Creek (Iscons Creek, Cunningham Creek), McClure Creek, Sugar Creek (another Beaverdam Creek, Whitlock Lakes, White Pine Lake), Swink Creek (Bishop Branch), and Rocky Creek. Swink
206206 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Creek is also known as Mitchell Creek and Bishop Branch is also known as Mill Creek. Further downstream, Fairforest Creek accepts drainage from Mitchell Creek, another Sugar Creek (West Springs Branch), another Buffalo Creek, Dining Creek, Shoal Creek (Toschs Creek), Sand Creek, and Morris Branch. There are a total of 552.7 streams miles and 1,348.1 acres of lake waters in this watershed, all classified FW. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows decreasing pH, increasing BOD5, increasing total phosphorus, not ideal turbidity, decreasing dissolved oxygen, and increased fecal coliform however it shows improvements in tubidity, dissolved oxygen levels, total phosphorus and fecal coliform. https:// www.scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/docs/HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_tyger.pdf
Pacolet River Watershed (03050105-15) The South Carolina portion of 03050105-15 is located in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties and consists primarily of the Pacolet River and its tributaries. The watershed occupies 141,876 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. The Pacolet River is formed by the confluence of the North Pacolet River Watershed and the South Pacolet River Watershed. Downstream from the confluence, the Pacolet River accepts drainage from Thompson Creek and forms Lake Blalock. Streams draining into Lake Blalock include Buck Creek, Little Buck Creek (Ezell Branch, Cudds Creek, Greenes Lake), and Casey Creek (Carlisle Branch). Downstream from the lake, the Pacolet River accepts drainage from Cherokee Creek (Little Cherokee Creek), Island Creek (Zekial Creek, Double Branch), Pole Bridge Branch, Peters Creek, Cinder Branch, Turkey Hen Branch, Quinn Branch, and Mill Branch. Further downstream, the river accepts drainage from Richland Creek, Harvey Branch, Browns Branch, Plum Branch, and another Mill Branch. Mill Creek (Jumping Run Creek, Eison Branch) enters the river next, followed by Sandy Run Creek, Peter Hawks Creek, Gault Creek, another Mill Creek, another Gault Creek, Big Creek, Kendrick Branch, and Reedy Branch. The Pacolet River drains into the Broad River. Cowpens National Battlefield Site is located between Island Creek and Zekial Creek. There are a total of 550.1 stream miles and 436.5 acres of lake waters in this watershed, all classified FW. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows decreasing BOD5, improved turbidity, increasing dissolved oxygen, but increased total phosphorus and pH. https://www. scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/docs/HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_broad.pdf
Tyger River (03050107-05) Watershed 03050107-05 is located in Spartanburg and Union Counties and consists primarily of the Tyger River and its tributaries. The watershed occupies 156,602 acres of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. The Tyger River is formed by the confluence of the South Tyger River Watershed and the North Tyger River Watershed. The Tyger River then accepts drainage from Nichol Branch (Kelly Branch), Vise Branch, Harrelson Branch (Wofford Branch, Aiken Branch), Jimmies Creek, Cane Creek (Martha Shands Branch, Williams Branch, Trail Branch), Motley Branch, Hackers Creek, and Dutchman Creek. Dutchman Creek accepts drainage from Harrison Branch, Newman Branch, Smith Creek (Jennings Branch), Powder Spring Branch, Shands Branch (Pennywinkle Branch), Paint Bearden Branch, Bearden Branch, another Wofford Branch, Wiley Fork Creek (Carson Branch), and Dry Branch. Cowdens Creek enters the river next followed by Mill Creek, another Wofford Branch, Holcombe Branch, Isaacs Creek, and Sparks Creek. Further downstream, the Tyger River accepts drainage from the Fairforest Creek Watershed, Tinker Creek (Henry Creek, Reno Lake, Brushy Creek, Swift Run), Hawkins Creek, Johnsons Creek, Padgetts Creek, Evans Branch, Rennicks Branch, Duffs Branch, Peters Creek, and Cane Creek (Brocks Creek). There are a total of 651.0 streams miles and 584.9 acres of lake waters in this watershed, all classified FW. The lower half of the watershed resides within the Sumter National Forest. Rose Hill State Park is located near the confluence of the Tyger River and Fairforest Creek. The most recent (2012) SC DHEC report shows increasing BOD5, decreasing dissolved oxygen, and decreasing pH levels. https://www.scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/docs/ HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/bd_tyger.pdf
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 207207 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.8 Upland Hardwood Birds
208208 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.9 Resilient Biodiversity Hotspots
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 209209 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.10 Critical Watershed Areas
210210 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.11 Critical Lands Map
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 211 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Floodplains Approximately 25425.5 acres, or 7.7% of Union County are designated as floodplain. According to the Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan, the County has rarely experienced significant flood events although being bordered on the north, east, and south by three major rivers. Most areas along the Pacelot, Broad, and Enoree rivers are designated as the 100- year floodplain and are undeveloped or lie within Sumter National Forest. The University of South Carolina’s Natural Hazards Lab and the National Climate Data Center have recorded 34 flood events in Union County between 1964 – 2016 which resulted in over $1 million in property damage and over $425,000 in crop damage during that period.
Union County adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance on July 12, 2011 and is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood Development Permit Applications are available at the Building Safety Department and are reviewed to ensure they are in compliance with the ordinance. Union County does not have any repetitive loss properties. Although the City of Union and towns of Carlisle, Lockhart are participants of the NFIP, the Town of Jonesville is not a participant in NFIP.
Union County has large, intact patches of upland hardwood forests that support birds and other species. Figure B.9 Upland Hardwood Birds notes places where the forest habitat is most suitable for various bird species and connecting or expanding the habitat cores would help maintain and conserve this important habitat type. Figure B.10 Resilient Biodiversity Hotspots reflects a few unique areas that are important for biodiversity in the Planning Area. The map indicates pockets within and outside of the habitat core that will help protect biodiversity and ensure natural resources are resilient to climate change.
Habitat Table B.6 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species – Union County DNR
Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank
Danaus plexippus Monarch Butterfly ARS*: Risk, Priority -- G4 SNR
Perimyotis subflavus Tricolored Bat ARS*: Risk, priority -- G2G3 S1S2
Table B.7 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants – Union County DNR
Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank
Amorpha schwerinii Schwerin Indigobush -- -- G3G4 S1
Carex gracillima Graceful Sedge -- -- G5 S2
Carex prasina Drooping Sedge -- -- G4 S2
Cyperus granitophilus Granite-loving -- -- G3G4Q S1?
Hackelia virginiana Virginia Stickseed -- -- G5 S1
Helianthus laevigatus Smooth Sunflower -- -- G4 S2
212212 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
FE - Federal Endangered; FT - Federal Threatened; PE - Proposed for Federal listing as Endangered; PT - Proposed for Federal listing as Threatened; C - Candidate for Federal listing; NC - Of Concern, National (unofficial – plants only); RC - Of Concern, Regional (unofficial – plants only); SE - State Endangered (official state list – animals only); ST - State Threatened (official state list – animals only) SC - Of Concern, State; SX - State Extirpated; Source: South Carolina Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species Inventory Species Found In Union County Data Last Updated 2009 South Carolina DNR.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES Union County Community Facilities are Figure B.12, Community Facilities, and water and sewer providers and service areas are reflected in B.13, Water Service Area and B.14, Sewer Service Area. Other facilites and services provided in Union County are described for recreation, public safety, and fire protection.
Recreation Union County Recreation has 21 facilities for athletic sport events, community events, playgrounds, and trails for walking and running. The largest recreation facility in Union County is Timken Sports Complex. This facility is located on 26 acres and is located at 725 Rice Ave. Ext., Union SC 29379. The Timken Sports Complex includes the following amenities: 5 Baseball/Softball Fields with multiple playing distances for different age groups, 1 Regulation Size College/High School Baseball Field, 1 Miracle League Field, 1 Miracle League Playground, 1 Regular Playground, and a Walking Trail (Distance .833 mile).
Remaining Union County Recreation facilities are noted as follows:
Buffalo Community Center 1505 Main St., Buffalo SC 29321, 1 Building (Rentable)
Buffalo Complex 701 Main St., Buffalo SC 29321, 3 Fields
Carlisle Community Ball Park 257 Woodyard Rd., Carlisle SC 29031, 1 Field
Carlisle Community Playground 202 Cambridge St., Carlisle SC 29301, Swings, Basketball Court, and a Picnic Shelter
City Park 615 W. Main St., Union SC 29379, 2 Fields, Small Playground, and a Basketball Court
Excelsior Ballfield 212 Culp St., Union SC 29379, 1 Field
JD Addis Park 130 B St., Jonesville SC 29353, 1 Playground and 1 Walking Trail
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 213213 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
JRM Recreation 129 JRM Rec. Rd., Union SC 29379, 1 Field, 1 Basketball Court, Swings, and a Recreation Building (Rentable)
Kelton Baseball and Softball Field 194 Mt. Joy Church Rd., Jonesville SC 29353, 1 Field
Lockhart Walking Trail River St., Lockhart SC 29364, 1 Walking Trail with exercise equipment around the trail, also has benches and picnic tables
Lukesville Community Center and Ballfield 123 Recreation Rd., Union SC 29379, 1 Field Total and a Picnic Shelter
Mac Cunningham Complex 110 Jonesville Industrial Park Rd., Jonesville SC 29353, 2 Fields
Monarch Ballfields 350 Peach Orchard Rd., Union SC 29379, 2 Fields, 1 Walking Trail, and Swings
Ottaray Park 804 Perrin Ave., Union SC 29379, 1 Field, Swings, and a Picnic Shelter
Perrin Avenue Ballfield 350 Perrin Ave., Union SC 29379, 1 Field, and a Playground
Renaissance Park 124 Carlisle-Santuc School Rd., Union SC 29379, 1 Field, and a Picnic Shelter
South Hills Sports Complex 387 Hawthorne Rd., Union SC 29379, 5 Fields – 1 Kiddie Playground, 1 Regular Playground, and a Picnic Shelter
Union County Fairgrounds and Stadium 100 Kirby St., Union SC 29379, RV Hookups Available, and a Large Eating Area
West Springs Community Center and Ballfield 132 West Springs Ballfield Rd., Buffalo SC 29321, 1 Field, and a Picnic Shelter (New with Restrooms)
214214 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.12 Community Facilities Legend
No. Name No. Name No. Name 1 Southside 38 Timken Sports Complex 75 Lockhart Dixie Youth (front) 2 Buffalo Fire Department 39 Carnegie Library 76 Lukesville Ballfield 3 Buffalo FD Station 2 40 Union City Hall 77 UHS Tennis Court 4 Carlisle Fire Department 41 Community Center/Recreation 78 Dixie Youth Ballpark 5 Cross Keys Fire Department 42 Jonesville Town Hall 79 Santuc Playground 6 Jonesville Fire Department 43 Spartanburg Community Col- 80 Kelton Community Ballfield 7 Jonesville FD Station 2 44 Football Stadium 81 Visitors Center 8 Kelly Kelton Fire Department 45 Lockhart Water Plant 82 Alternative School 9 Kelly Kelton FD Station 2 46 Jonesville Recreation Center 83 Voter Registration Building 10 Lockhart Fire Department 47 County Airport 84 Union County Building 11 Monarch Fire Department 48 Airport Hangers 85 Children’s Museum 12 Philippi Fire Department 49 Old Buffalo Teen Center 86 Healthy You Behavior Health 13 Santuc Fire Department 50 Clemson Ext. Building 87 Development Board 14 Santuc FD Station 2 51 DSS Building 88 Union County Public Works 15 Union Public Safety Department 52 Union Recreation Center 89 Jonesville-Recycle 16 Bonham Fire Department 53 Old County Jail 90 Buffalo Textile Museum 17 Union County EMS 54 County Health Dept 91 Santuc Area-Recycle 18 Union County Rescue Squad 55 West Springs Rec. Building 92 Assessors Office 19 Union County EMS Medic 5 56 County Animal Shelter 93 Lockhart Area-Recycle 20 Union Co SO Patrol Office 57 911 Building 94 Southside-Recycle 21 Union County Court House 58 Fireman’s Training Center 95 Union-Recycle 22 Carlisle Town Hall 59 Old Communications Tower 96 Safe Homes 23 Buffalo Elementary School 60 Juvenile Justice 97 Buffalo/WestSprings-Recy- 24 Foster Park Elementary School 61 New Communications Tower 98 Union/Bonham-Recycle 25 Monarch Elementary School 62 Detention Center 99 Monarch Area-Recycle 26 Sims Middle School 63 Jonesville Mini Park 100 Carlisle Area-Recycle 27 Union High School 64 New Picnic Shelter 101 Cross Keys Area-Recycle 28 Adult Education 65 Buffalo Pond 102 Kelly/Kelton-Recycle 29 Head Start School 66 Lockhart Boy Scout Hut 103 New County Landfill 30 Former Lockhart School 67 Lockhart Senior Citizens Build- 104 Old County Jail 31 Union Christian Day School 68 Buffalo Senior Citizens Building 105 Monarch Ballfields 32 Jonesville Elementary/Middle School 69 Spec Building 106 Perrin Avenue Ballfield 33 USCU Library 70 Spec Building 107 Excelsior Ballfield 34 USCU Gazebo 71 New County Jail 108 Carlisle Comm Playground 35 Truluck Gym 72 Senior Center 109 City Park 36 USC Union 73 Lockhart Dixie Youth (back) 110 Renaissance Park 37 County Softball Complex 74 Mt Lebanon Ballfield 111 Ottaray Park
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 215215 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.12 Community Facilities
216216 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.12 Community Facilities Inset
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 217 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.13 Water Service Area
218218 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Figure B.14 Sewer Service Area
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 219219 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Public Safety The Union County Sheriff Office is located on West Main Street and has 31 officers / deputies. The Sheriff Office provides school resources officers for Jonesville Elementary / Middle, Sims Middle School, and the Alternative School. The Sheriff Office doesn’t provide juvenile detention programs. The Sheriff Office does provide crime prevention programs through the annual Senior Citizens Expo, Red Ribbon Week, crime awareness programs for seniors, active shooter awareness for places of worship, and community scam alerts.
Table B.8 Sheriff’s Office 2018 Statistics 2017 2018 Total Investigation Cases Assigned 854 730 Investigation Cases Cleared 773 688 Investigation Cases Remaining Open 81 42 Total Investigation Clearance Rate 90.52% 94.25% Civil Papers Served 3468 3520 Arrest Warrants Served 1926 1646 Total Cases Received by Sheriff’s Office 3148 2555 Burglaries 192 103 Larcenies 307 262 Mental Transports 104 84 False Alarm Calls 429 630 S.R.T. Member Deployments 14 7 Non-Ferrous Metal Permits 523
Table B.9 Crime Stoppers 2017 2018 Total Number of Tips Received 192 97 Number of Arrests Made 40 19 Total Number of Fugitives 15 Total Number of Cases Cleared 24 Property Recovered (Value) $500 $1,100 Total Amount of Reward Checks Paid Out* $2,645 $1,450
* There were a total of 13 reward checks never laimed.
220220 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.10 911 Dispatch Center Calls for Service AGENCY 2017 2018 Sheriff’s Office 18,344 16,441 Union Public Safety Dept. 11,605 10,608 Jonesville Police Dept. 1,173 897 EMS 5,122 4,848 Fire 1,565 1,606 Rescue Squad 855 786 Emergency Management 24 15 Animal Control 647 1,236 Litter Control 418 89 Dept. of Natural Resources 41 37 SC Highway Patrol 1,017 1,018 TOTAL 40,811 37,581 Table B.11 Narcotics 2017 2018 Currency Seized $29,535 $35,730 Vehicles Seized 5 5 Firearms Seized 15 9 Meth Labs Discovered 4 1 Dosage Units of Rx Medicines 3,088 447 Marijuana Plants Seized 20 39 Gr. of Marijuana Seized 4,462 5,752 Containers of Alcohol - Liquor 7 84 Stolen Firearms Recovered 5 9 Dosage Units of THC Products 4 Grams of Crack Cocaine Seized 95 13 Grams of Heroin Seized 3 9 Grams of Cocaine 9 29 Grams of Meth Seized 860 252 Stolen Property Recovered $17,900 Ecstacy Pills 1079 75 Grams of Imitation Meth 36 176 Stolen Vehicles Recovered 3 5 Total Individuals Arrested 307 Total Charges 561 Total Contacts 141 Total Search Warrants 23
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 221221 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Fire Protection Union County has 12 fire districts and data on the districts are noted in Table B.12 Fire District Datat and B.13 Fire District Fleet Data. Table B.12 Fire District Data
Calls for Service Average Square ISO Station District Volunteers Paid Staff (2018) Response Time Miles Rating Generator
Bonham Fire Dept. 20 2 122 7 min. 56 sec. 11 4/4x No Buffalo Fire Dept. - - 160 8 min. 12 sec. 64 - - Carlisle Fire Dept. - - 56 10 min. 34 sec. 66 - - City of Union Fire Dept. 21 33 268 3 min. 3 sec. 3 Yes Cross Keys Fire Dept. - - 65 8 min. 51 sec. 97 - - Jonesville Fire Dept. 22 0 340 8 min. 38 sec. 65 5 Yes Kelly Kelton Fire Dept. 17 0 103 11 min. 59 sec. 40 6/9 No Lockhart Fire Dept. 19 0 46 13 min. 23 sec. 21 - - Monarch Fire Dept. - - 114 8 min. 50 sec. 34 - - Philippi Fire Dept. 15 0 73 8 min. 38 sec. 21 4/4x No Santuc Fire Dept. - - - - 76 - - Southside Fire Dept. 29 0 100 7 min. 44 sec. 19 3/3x No Union County Rescue - - 786 8 min. 30 sec. 8 - -
Table B.13 Fire District Fleet Data Bonham Carlisle City of Union Jonesville Kelly Kelton Lockhart Southside 1972 service 1982 1000 gal 1992 1000 gal 1978 1850 gal 1971 1000 gal 1997 service 1976 mini pumper unit pumper tanker tanker tanker unit 1988 750 gal 1983 1000 gal 1995 1000 gal 1991 3400 gal 1985 1000 gal 1978 500 gal 1997 1000 gal tanker pumper tanker tanker tanker tanker pumper
1988 3000 1997 1000 gal 1992 1000 gal 1989 3000 gal 1991 1000 gal 2007 1000 gal 1995 service unit gal tanker pumper pumper tanker tanker pumper 1998 1000 gal 2007 3000 gal 2006 1000 gal 1993 500 gal 1991 brush 2005 1000 gal 2015 1000 gal tanker tanker tanker pumper truck pumper pumper 2012 1200 gal 2011 300 gal 2000 1000 gal 1993 service 2015 300 gal - - tanker tanker pumper truck tanker 2004 1000 gal - - - 2007 heavy rescue - tanker - - - 2013 mini pumper -
Source: Union County Fire Districts, no fleet data provided for Buffalo, Cross Keys, Monarch, Philippi, Santuc and Union County Rescue
222222 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.14 School Capacity Square Attendance School Location Use/Status Year Opened Footage Acres Capacity 1/2019 Buffalo Elementary 733 Main St, Buffalo School 29321 Grades 4k - 5 1986 65,300 19 600 513 Foster Park 901 Arthur Blvd, Union Elementary School 29379 Grades 4k - 5 1956, 1994 51,513 14 500 463 Monarch Elementary 218 Monarch School Dr, School Union 29739 Grades 4k - 5 1972 52,864 15 475 457 Jonesville Elementa- 350 New Hope Church ry/Middle K-8 Rd, Jonesville Grades 4k - 8 2009 93,500 84 600 563 2200 Whitmore Hwy, Sims Middle School Union 29379 Grades 6 - 8 2009 121,000 71 800 730 Union County High 1163 Lakeside Dr, Union School 29379 Grades 9 - 12 1969, 1974, 1980 221,000 101 1,350 1,062 517 E. Main Street, Union 23 - 30 Alternative School 29379 Grades 9 - 12 1938, 2000 7,000 2.5 80 Average Source: Union County School District, 2019
Education Opportunities in Union County In Union County, there are two programs called First Steps Program and Carolina Community Actions (CCA) that provide educational opportunities for children before kindergarten. Union County School District and Union Christian Day School are the schooling options for children from kindergarten through 12th grade, with five of the public schools participating in the Winthrop University School Partnership Network. Spartanburg Community College (SCC) provides specialized programs for certain segments of the secondary school student population, including supporting the Department of Juvenile Justice Regionalization Program. For those who seek to pursue higher education in Union County, the Spartanburg Bonham Carlisle City of Union Jonesville Kelly Kelton Lockhart Southside Community College Union County campus (SCC Union County), the University of South Carolina Union (USC Union), 1972 service 1982 1000 gal 1992 1000 gal 1978 1850 gal 1971 1000 gal 1997 service and the Union County Advanced Technology Center are the available options. SCC Union County and USC Union also 1976 mini pumper unit pumper tanker tanker tanker unit provide adult education through credit and noncredit courses, workshops, and events. As for workforce training, in addition to traditional opportunities, SCC Union County partners with other organizations, including the Union County School 1988 750 gal 1983 1000 gal 1995 1000 gal 1991 3400 gal 1985 1000 gal 1978 500 gal 1997 1000 gal District to provide a school-to-work training program called Operation Workforce Training (OWT). The Union County tanker pumper tanker tanker tanker tanker pumper Advanced Technology Center is another organization that works to train individuals for the workforce. Additionally, the 1988 3000 1997 1000 gal 1992 1000 gal 1989 3000 gal 1991 1000 gal 2007 1000 gal Union County Council on Aging seeks to foster lifelong education through programs for the elderly. Thus, Union County 1995 service unit gal tanker pumper pumper tanker tanker pumper has education for people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. 1998 1000 gal 2007 3000 gal 2006 1000 gal 1993 500 gal 1991 brush 2005 1000 gal 2015 1000 gal tanker tanker tanker pumper truck pumper pumper Union County Carnegie Library 2012 1200 gal 2011 300 gal 2000 1000 gal 1993 service 2015 300 gal - - Opened in 1905 as the first Carnegie Library in the state, the Union County Carnegie Library serves as the only public tanker tanker pumper truck tanker library in Union, South Carolina. The Union Library has operated as a library for the past 114 years and is one of only four 2004 1000 gal remaining Carnegie Libraries still operating as libraries in the state. In 1979, the Union County Carnegie Library became - - - 2007 heavy rescue - tanker the library system for Union County; however, it was not until 2018 that the organization went through the rebranding - - - 2013 mini pumper - process to change its name from the Union County Carnegie Library to the Union County Library System. The Union Carnegie Library still serves as the main library facility, but the system is working to ensure that it serves the entire county
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 223223 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
by operating beyond a singular facility. Over the years, the Carnegie Library has undergone facility renovations and expansions, most recently in 2018, and like many libraries, the Union Carnegie Library has experienced many hardships, including having to furlough staff in 2009 and taking its bookmobile off the road in 2014 as a result of stagnant, insufficient funding.
Over the last 15 years, the library’s budget has become more constrained without any increases in local revenue. During that time, the library board recognized the need for the library space to evolve to meet new community needs, but it was not until 2016 that the renovation became a reality. Town hall meetings were held throughout Union County to identify community needs and served as a catalyst for the rebirth of the Carnegie Library and Union County Library System. Realizing that the shrinking population, increasing poverty rate (including a 1 in 3 poverty rate among children in Union County), and budget constraints would continue to be a problem, careful consideration was given to how the library would gain long-term stability while also creating a healthier, more successful community.
The vision of the new library became one of partnership and community-centered design. New alternative revenue streams were implemented, which had not been previously used by libraries in the state, to provide the remaining $500,000 necessary for completing the $2 million renovation. The library also looked to establish meaningful partnerships that would contribute to operating revenue. The facility is the first of its kind in South Carolina, serving as an example of how libraries can reimagine themselves based on community needs. The renovated library includes exhibit space in the historically restored 1905 structure, which served as a national debut site for the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The library also includes partner spaces for the Upstate Workforce Board and for United Way of the Piedmont’s Union County non-profit partnership center, which is comprised of multiple social service agencies. All of these spaces were designed with close attention to accessibility, making the library the most accessible facility in Union County. Additionally, the Carnegie Library is now the first public library in the state to provide academic library services, as a result of collaboration with the University of South Carolina’s Union Campus. Overall, the library partners with more than 55 agencies at the local, regional, and state level that provide funding and in-kind support for programs and services. By focusing on partnerships, the library is able to expand services, pool local resources more effectively, and reach a broader audience, while also gaining additional revenue to maintain operations and to serve a more integral role in the success of community.
The newly named Union County Library System, based out of the Union Carnegie Library, is using a new model for outreach services, the first of its kind in South Carolina. During the renovation process, the library’s temporary facility was unexpectedly destroyed by flooding, and the library was forced to shift its service model. The library leveraged partnerships to develop satellite service locations in community facilities throughout Union County, which are maintained by volunteers with the support of library staff and resources. These spaces will soon serve as homework help centers that provide safe spaces for children to do homework after school with almost no cost to Union County. The Union County Library System strives to attain its mission to “serve as a cornerstone in Union County, providing access to opportunities, activities, and services that improve the quality of life for all members of our community” with the goal of “contributing to making Union County a joyful, welcoming, and thriving community.”
224224 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Hazard Mitigation Table B.15 Hazard Probability Chart (1960-2009)
Hazard Events Years in Record Return Period Annual % Chance
Drought 33 59 1.78 years 55.93% Earthquake 4 310 77.50 years 1.29%
Wildfire 771 21 0.02 years 100.00%
Flood 21 59 2.80 years 35.59%
Hail 64 59 0.92 years 100.00%
Hurricane/Tropical Storm 5 158 31.60 years 3.16%
Lightning 7 16 2.28 years 43.75%
Severe Winter Storm 6 59 9.83 years 10.16%
Temperature Extremes 4 16 4.00 years 25.00%
Thunderstorm Wind 133 59 0.44 years 100.00%
Tornado 11 59 5.36 years 18.64%
High Wind 7 55 7.85 years 12.72%
Table B15 Hazard Probability Chart (1960 - 2009) includes the Overall Vulnerability Summary for Hazards within Union County and its jurisdictions. The greatest hazard threats based on historic events are wildfire, thunderstorm, wind, and hail.
HEALTH The health of residents in a community is influenced by several factors that include personal choices, genetic history, access to healthy foods, and availability of active living options. Residents in South Carolina have higher levels of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
The opportunity to walk or bike for transportation or recreation as part of a daily routine is important for personal and community health. Walking and biking should also be a safe and convenient way to get around a neighborhood or area of work. The benefits of incorporating these activities into daily routes include increased physical activity, connection to the outdoors and community, and opportunities to socialize, among others.
Overall as a state, South Carolina ranks low in Active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity, such as walking and biking, into daily routines. According to the Alliance for Walking and Biking, 2012 Report, South Carolina spends just 0.6 percent of its federal transportation dollars on biking and walking, ranking 46th among states for investing in biking and walking.
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 225225 APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Table B.16 Union County Health Data Indicator Measure Value Rank State Births2 Births with expected payor Medicaid (percent of all live births; B2:B362015-2017) 62.8 NA 50.1 Breastfeeding initiation (percent of all live births; 2015-2017) 53.7 41 76.5 Low birthweight births (<2,500 grams; percent of all live births; 2015-2017) 11.4 30 9.6 Mothers receiving adequate prenatal care (percent of all live births; 2015-2017) 69.7 39 75.2 Mothers who smoked during pregnancy (percent of all live births; 2015-2017) 21.3 46 9.1 Preterm births (<37 weeks gestation; percent of all live births; 2015-2017) 13.2 41 11.2 Teen live births (rate per 1,000 female population aged 15-19; 2015-2017) 46.7 42 23.8 Infant Mortality2 Infant mortality (rate per 1,000 live births; 2015-2017) 4.2 3 6.8 Risk Factors3 Coronary heart disease (percent; 2015-2017) 7.7 42 4.6 Stroke (percent; 2015-2017) 8.8 46 3.8 Heart attack (percent; 2015-2017) 4.4 9 4.9 Hypertension (percent; 2015-2017) 47.5 32 38.4 Diabetes (percent; 2015-2017) 14.8 24 12.8 Current asthma (percent; 2015-2017) 11.5 42 8.7 Current smoking (percent; 2015-2017) 26.4 40 19.5 Adults categorized as obese, aged 20+ (BMI ≥30; percent; 2015-2017) 38.3 30 33.2 Reported leisure time physical activity in the past 30 days (percent; 2015-2017) 73.9 9 72.7 Received a flu vaccine in the last year, aged 65+ (percent; 2015-2017) 72.6 1 62.4 Received a pneumococcal vaccine ever, aged 65+ (percent; 2015-2017) 75.9 11 73.4 Mortality2 Accidental drug overdose (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 14.3 27 16.7 Alzheimer’s disease (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 28.7 7 45.4 Cancer (malignant neoplasms only; age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 201.2 41 165.5 Cerebrovascular disease (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 61.8 37 45.6 Chronic lower respiratory disease (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 82.5 46 48.4 Diabetes (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 38 36 23.4 Diseases of the heart (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 259.2 41 174 Motor vehicle accident (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 27.8 27 20.5 Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population; 2015-2017) 10.9 10 15.6 All causes (age-adjusted rate per 1,000 population; 2015-2017) 10.5 41 8.3 Population4 Families below the poverty level (percent; 2013-2017) 17.5 NA 12.3 Population Non-Hispanic white (percent; 2017) 65.2 NA 64.6 Population Non-Hispanic black (percent; 2017) 32.6 NA 27.5 Population Non-Hispanic other (percent; 2017) 0.7 NA 2.3 Population Hispanic/Latino (percent; 2017) 1.5 NA 5.7
226226 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDIX B | EXISTING CONDITIONS
Indicator Measure Value Rank State Health Care Delayed seeing a doctor in the last year due to cost (percent; 2015-2017)3 20.6 39 15.8 Has at least one person considered a personal doctor or health care provider (percent; 2015- 2017)3 80.9 27 78 Population insured by Medicaid (percent; 2013-2017)4 59.6 NA 65.2 Population insured by private health insurance (percent; 2013-2017)4 9.9 NA 5.3 Population without health insurance (percent; 2013-2017)4 9.9 NA 12.1 Home Hazards Elevated (≥5 mcg/dL) blood lead tests in children <6 years of age (percent of all tests; 2017)5 1.8 22 1.9 Homes built prior to 1980 (percent; 2013-2017)4 63.3 NA 38.7 Source: Centers for Disease Control Source: Centers for Disease Control
UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 227227
This page left blank intentionally.
228228 UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UNION COUNTY | COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 229229