According to The State, the fate of the Navy Yard, a beer garden and restaurant attempting to open on West Main Street in Columbia, will be decided by the end of the year after its alcohol license was protested by a neighboring church. St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church contends, among other things, that the beer garden is too close to the church by state law. Navy Yard plans to occupy 11,000 square feet of outdoor dining space and 8,000 square feet of indoor dining space. The fight went to state Administrative Law Court on Dec. 3.

“Robinson did not issue a ruling from the bench after Friday’s testimony,” the paper reported. “She said she will likely publish her decision before the end of the year.”

Redistricting Plans Move Forward

“A pending, post-census realignment of South Carolina’s legislative districts removes seats in both chambers for Richland County while expanding Lexington County’s political muscle in the Statehouse,” reports The Post and Courier Columbia.

The changes would include sending the Richland County Senate district currently represented by Dick Harpootlian to Charleston, putting him in the same district as fellow Democratic State Sen. Nikki Setzler of West Columbia.

In the House, Lexington County’s delegation would go up from nine to 11 members.

“A last-minute push by Pelion residents helped keep the small Lexington County town ... in the district of GOP Sen. Katrina Shealy,” The Post and Courier reports.

The state House approved the new maps on Dec. 2, with a final floor vote coming on Dec. 6, the same day the Senate will take them up.

Central SC Habitat for Humanity Gets New Executive Director

Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity announced the hiring of a new executive director on Dec. 1.

Suzanne Brooks was previously the executive director of the Spartanburg County Historical Association.

“We are so excited to have Ms. Brooks join our team as Executive Director,” Rania Jamison, Board Chair for Central SC Habitat, is quoted in a press release. “She brings a focused knowledge and passionate energy in community development and engagement that will be key as we move into the next phase of growth with Central SC Habitat.”

Central SC Habitat has helped to provide affordable home ownership in Lexington, Richland and Fairfield counties for 36 years and built more than 270 homes, providing home repairs for an additional 61 (and another five in progres), the release states.

The group’s ReStore — which sells individuals, businesses, contractors and retailers from across the Midlands to help pay for its efforts — is in West Columbia.