Hearing to decide Plantersville sign issue

August 28, 2008

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com

Nestled amongst the miles of towering historic oak trees along Plantersville Road in Georgetown County, many new sites have popped up that are grabbing attention -- signs.

In some areas of the scenic roadway are signs advertising large tracts of property that are for sale in the same vicinity of other signs protesting the sale and development of the land.

The signs stating opposition to the development have been placed by plantation owners who are opposed to the recent rezoning that was approved by Georgetown County Council. They say they do not want to see the development of the land. That is why they fought to have the zoning stipulate that only one house or structure could be built on each 25 acres. The zoning that was approved in the area of the plantations allows one house on each five acres.

The zoning also prohibited the signs of protest to be placed along Plantersville Road. Five plantation owners got together and filed a federal lawsuit challenging that part of the ordinance claiming it violates their freedom of speech rights.

A hearing was supposed to take place this week for a judge to decide if the county could be barred from enforcing that portion of the law until the case goes to court. The county decided against the enforcement, so the hearing was cancelled. It's unknown when the case will go to trial.

The only proposed development mentioned by name on any of the signs is Samworth Farms. The Litchfield Company is marketing the 5 to 8 acre parcels as being "nestled in the heart of Plantation Row and only a short walk to a public boat landing on the Pee Dee River," according to its website.

The plantation owners fear the development of Samworth and other properties will have an adverse impact on the environment.