Batesburg-Leesville Town Council and Planning Commission gathered to revise the current comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan acts as a guide to help the development of the town and is evaluated and revised periodically. The Batesburg-Leesville Planning Commission is responsible for re-evaluating the plan every five years and preparing a revision of the entire plan every 10 years.

Gregory Sprouse, the planning and economic development director for Central Midlands Council of Governments, gave a presentation which includes 10 elements that must be addressed in the plan.

The 10 elements are population, economic development, natural resources, resilience, cultural resources, community facilities, housing, land use, transportation and priority investment.

At the council workshop meeting, council and the commission focused on future land use and the town's population. In future meetings, they will address the other elements.

The most recent Census data shows that the town's population is almost 5,300 with about 18% of residents affected by poverty. The median age is 40 and the median income is $53,102. Lexington County’s median income during 2020 was around $62,000.

The town is expecting growth in the upcoming years as new housing developments have been approved.

“You can strengthen job opportunities, diversify housing options and invest in education. These are all ways to stabilize and grow the population,” a staff member from the Central Midlands Council of Governments told the council and commission.

Sprouse said single family residential is the predominant land use type, making up over 30% of total land area within the town. Undeveloped properties, including agriculture, make up 45% of land use; public institutions make up 10%; industrial areas make up 5%; and multi-family residential makes up 1.2% of total land area.

He said that the town can make a plan and guide growth to reflect the community’s vision. He said the town can focus on future growth and developments in downtown and existing neighborhoods without disrupting the flow of the neighborhood.

In the public 2008 comprehensive plan, 25% of the land is residential; vacant land makes up 15%; public or institutional areas make up 13%; commercial is 4.4%; and 3.4% is industrial.

“I’m really concerned about the rate of growth and limiting where that growth occurs,” Councilman Bob Hall said. “Traffic congestion, which is an element, is one of our big concerns.”

Councilwoman Betty Hartley also raised her concern about infrastructure and traffic, and how they impact residents.

“It appears that we are about to experience a rapid development in the area and taxes will increase even more,” she said. “Yes, growth is something that happens, but in this town, we seem to not really address the issues that will concern the residents who might be in a salary range.”

Sprouse told members the committee will provide numerous options and recommendations on every element in future work sessions.

The next regular town council meeting is Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at town hall, located at 120 West Church St. Bldg. B.