Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) The Morrow Companies, a developer out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is requesting information regarding any zoning restrictions on a tract of land in Chapin. They have asked about building a multi-family community in the town. The development would be either one or two buildings and could include between 44 to 48 units at Virginia Street near the Aquarius Spa and Salon. This lies between the Bi-Lo and the Food Lion shopping centers. They have also enquired about the availability of utility services for the project.
According to town officials, there are no current zoning restriction that would prevent that type of project from being built on that site. There are also utilities in the area that would be available if they requested them.
In past years, another company attempted to build a seemingly similar project on the same tract. The community rose up and strongly protested that development, eventually killing the project. The town can only apply zoning and planning regulations that are already in place. Any changes that may be desired by area leaders would probably need to be made prior to the land going under contract. That would be an issue for attorneys to decide. Town and other elected officials and the community fought the project when it was last attempted, and their attitudes and the atmosphere against such a project don't appear to have changed.
The last project that was planned at that site was for low incoming housing. The original letter of enquiry received by the town this week didn’t mention the proposed type of tenants the company is seeking to attract once the units are completed. In another document received Friday, the developer described building a development they called, "A workforce housing community for existing citizens working at local businesses, government, and organizations to help them find affordable housing alternatives."
