An area Realtor says he’s not asking Orangeburg City Council to reject proposed land development ordinances. Instead, he wants council to study them for 90 days before it takes final action.

Marion Moore, president of Century 21 The Moore Group, says he is preparing a cost analysis for City Council. He contends the proposal will increase developer costs by 15 to 20 percent in the city.

“The biggest areas for cost increases involve infrastructure,” Moore said. “There are other intangible costs associated with the ordinance. One of those … is where it requires five inspections and certifications by licensed engineers. Every time an engineer comes on-site, it will cost you.

“These are the things I’m trying to quantify, the cost of curb and gutters and other items required in the ordinance.”

The proposed regulations include standards for items such as sidewalks, drainage, green spaces and utilities. City officials say that while other local governments, like Orangeburg County, have rules covering the division of large tracts of land into smaller parcels, Orangeburg doesn’t.

Orangeburg plans to hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Dec. 15. City Administrator John Yow says the hearing will correct an earlier oversight.

“We realized that we hadn’t published a formal public hearing notice,” prior to second reading, Yow said. “At least three or four people have expressed a desire to address council about the ordinance.

“We felt this is the fair thing to do so everyone who wants to speak will be given a full and formal opportunity.”

Moore says his biggest objection is the increased cost of building water and sewer lines under the new ordinance.

“This decreases our competitiveness in Orangeburg. It’s just one more item that could tip the balance against the city for future growth,” Moore said. “They already charge us tap and impact fees, and the city gets taxes on the developed property.

“If you take running water and sewer infrastructure out of the development, those costs will be passed along to the consumer.”

Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities spokesman Randy Etters said utility Manager Fred Boatwright declined to comment on the issue, citing its sensitive nature.

The ordinance states the city Planning Commission may require the developer to pay a share of the cost of providing “necessary improvements … clearly and substantially related to the development or subdivision in question.”

Also included is a formula to determine if a developer is responsible for the full costs of such improvements or just a portion.

G.W. Berry, owner of G.W. Berry Realty & Construction in Orangeburg, agrees the proposed ordinance should be given further consideration. However, he says a new property development process is needed.

“On the positive side, it provides a checklist for developers,” Berry said. “No one can come in and protest it if the developer meets the criteria. That’s the end of story.”

But he said, “One thing I don’t understand is why such a stringent timetable for finishing a development is included. It shouldn’t be that way as long as the public is not jeopardized. Running the water and sewer out also makes it unfeasible with the current economic atmosphere.”

Moore says he’s not against city regulation but he wants the city to study the ordinance’s potential impact on citizens and the city’s long-term growth.

“It’s harder to do business in the city now even without this ordinance. I don’t want to cost the city money but it’s well handled now,” Moore said. “I don’t want the public good to suffer or make things harder.”

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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