The little town with a big heart
The 3rd season of the Sunday Ridgeville Farmers Market is coming. They are look forward to seeing everyone on the Grand Opening Sunday, April 11, 2021 (154 Church St, Ridgeville, SC 29472).
The farmers market is planned to run through the summer on Sundays, 10 am- 2 pm, from April 11 until the last market on August 15, 2021.
You can find more information on the Ridgeville Farmers Market facebook page.
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Due to concerns over COVID-19, Dorchester County Council and Committees of Council will begin meeting virtually on Tuesday, January 19, until further notice. All meetings will be streamed live on the Dorchester County Public Meetings YouTube Page.
Please see the Dorchester news here to find out how to participate in public comments for the County Council Meeting. Beginning Monday, February 1, the following Boards and Commissions will also meet virtually, until further notice:
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The following notice was provided for our community information. Anyone interested in attending, save the date now. The informational public meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 6 p.m. in the Dorchester County Council Chambers, Human Services Building, 500 North Main Street, Summerville, South Carolina 29483.
Public Notice
Dorchester County Public Notice pursuant to S.C. Reg. 61-107.19 and S.C. Ann. Code § 44-96-470 of
Facility Issues Negotiation Process
Topic: Oakridge Landfill, Inc. (“Oakridge”), 2175 Highway 78, Dorchester, Dorchester County, South Carolina
Contact: Jason Carraher
Dorchester County
Kenneth F. Waggoner Building
201 Johnston Street
St. George, SC 29477
Telephone: (843) 832-0070
Please take notice that Dorchester County hereby provides public notice pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 44-96-470 and S.C. Reg. 61-107.19 that it will hold an informational public meeting to provide information on the facility issues negotiation process related to the permit application submitted by Oakridge to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for construction of an expansion of the existing landfill at 2175 Highway 78, Dorchester, South Carolina (“Proposed Expansion”). The informational public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Dorchester County Council Chambers, Human Services Building, 500 North Main Street, Summerville, South Carolina 29483.
Nature of the Facility: Oakridge has operated a Class III landfill (also known as a municipal solid waste landfill) on the site since approximately 1978. The Proposed Expansion will accept municipal solid waste as well as other approved non-hazardous waste. The Proposed Expansion is permitted to receive up to 1,144,000 tons per year of waste. The proposed life of the Proposed Expansion is expected to be at least 20 years. The permit application for the Proposed Expansion is subject to the permitting requirements for Class Three Landfills pursuant to S.C. Reg. 61-107.19.
Description of the Site: The landfill is located on Highway 78, approximately one mile northwest of the intersection of Highway 78 and Highway 178 as identified on the location map. The Proposed Expansion will consist of approximately 60 acres to be constructed to the west of the current landfill.
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The county announced Intermittent Lane Closures with the road construction contractor to conducting intermittent lane and shoulder closures on US-78 between Delee Circle and Meadows Drive. Weather permitting, the lane closures will take place between the hours of 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday, beginning Monday, January 27 and continuing through Fall 2020.
These lane/shoulder closures are necessary for the Contractor to perform clearing and grubbing work for the alignment of US-78 and US 178. This work is part of the US-78 Phase 2-A Infrastructure Improvement Project.
Drivers traveling through the construction zone are asked to be aware of equipment and crews and to follow traffic control signs and reductions in speed limits.
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The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) provided notice of approval of the Application and Reclamation Plan for a Mine Operating Permit and Issuance of Mine Operating Permit I-002279 to Sandridge Road Holdings, LLC for the Pineland Mine in Dorchester County, South Carolina,
DHEC received the permit application for the proposed Pineland Mine in September of 2019. DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) placed the mine operating permit application on public notice in February 27, 2020 and held a virtual public hearing to receive comments on the mine operating permit application on July 23, 2020. DHEC received comments and concerns between February 27, 2020 and August 7, 2020 and provided a Summary Response to Comments.
You can find all of the details including the Mine Operating Permit, Summary Response to Comments, and other information relevant to Pineland Mine can be viewed on DHEC’s website at: https://scdhec.gov/environment/environmental-sites-projects-permits-interest/pineland-mine
Some of the public comments or concerns expressed, including defined operating hours and the ability to hold the mine responsible for disruption of nearby well disturbed by mining operations, have been incorporated in to the permit.
After consideration of all information presented, review of all public comments received, as well as additional information provided by the applicant, the BLWM approved the requested application for a Mine Operating Permit.
If you are an affected party, you have the right to request a final review of this permit decision. This request must be made in writing to the Clerk of the DHEC Board. Procedures for requesting this review are enclosed and more information can be viewed on DHEC’s website at: https://scdhec.gov/about-dhec/sc-board-health-and-environmental-control/guide-board-review
Any questions or for further DHEC assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the project manager, Mason Brandes, at 803-898-1369 or by e-mail at brandemd@dhec.sc.gov
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October 4th is the last day to register to vote in the November election.
You can go here to find the latest “official” information on voting in Dorchester County.
Check out the links, especially the in-person absentee voting locations and times.
Any legal resident who will be 18 by November 3rd is eligible to register. Please urge your like-minded family, friends and co-workers to register.
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County announces Highway 178 Road Closure for Improvement Project.
Beginning at approx. 3:00 PM on Sunday, Sept. 20 through approx. 3:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 25 Hwy. 178 will be closed to all traffic at the Hwy. 78 intersection.
The closure is necessary for crews to safely realign Hwy. 178 and Hwy. 78 as part of the Highway 78 Safety Improvement Project.
During the above-mentioned closure, all traffic will be detoured to Schoolhouse Rd. When Hwy. 178 is reopened to traffic on Friday, Sept. 25 the new traffic pattern (Hwy. 178 – Hwy. 78 realignment) will be in place.
The current alignment of Hwy. 178 and Hwy. 78, commonly referred to as “the fork,” will no longer be in place and all traffic will utilize the new intersection behind the Dorchester County Public Works complex.
Road Closure Information: https://bit.ly/30Xd3sA Project Information: http://bit.ly/78phase2
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Dorchester County is working to update their Zoning and Land Development Standards, specifically section 10.4.11, Supplemental Provisions as related to Mineral Resource Extraction Operations (mining). Below draft of Dorchester County’s new sand mine ordinance was presented to the Conservation Commission for comment. The draft ordinance will next go to the Planning Commission for discussion and emendations at their Meeting next.
A vote will be required from the Planning Commission; the ordinance, if passed, will go forward with recommendations to County Council, who will conduct 3 readings, allowing opportunity for public comment. County Council will then vote to determine whether it will be enacted or not.
Concerns arose at the Conservation Commission about some portions of this draft ordinance, particularly relating to Section 5 and the location of sand mines near schools, etc.
The public should provide input to the Conservation Commission, the Planning Commission (the most important and expedient if done before tomorrow’s meeting), the Planning Department, and County Council—or better yet, all four at once.
Planning Commission: Mr Rich Symuleski (appointee) rasymuleski@gmail.com
Conservation Commission: Mr Pete Weathers (appointee) pete.weathers@gmail.com
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation (employee): Mr Eric Davis edavis@dorchestercountysc.gov
Dorchester County Planning Department (employee): Ms Kiera Reinertsen KReinertsen@dorchestercountysc.gov
The following is the text of the proposed draft section.
10.4.11 Mineral Resource Extraction Operations
(a) Applications. All applications for mineral resource extractions shall include the following:
(1) Copy of the DHEC application and permit (if issued)
(2) Copy of the SCDOT or Dorchester County Encroachment Permit
(3) Site plan indicating compliance with the site requirement provisions in section (b) below.
(b) Site Requirements. All mineral resource extraction operations shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Apron. To keep mud/dirt off the roadways, all sites shall provide a 100’ apron of clean, demudding, non-limestone aggregate such as slag or granite at the entrance drive. The first 25’ shall be #57, after that, #4 can be used. SCDOT or Dorchester County may require additional improvements as part of the Encroachment Permit.
(2) Entrance gate. Gates at the entrance to the site shall be located at least 100’ from the roadway.
(3) Signage. An emergency contact sign not to exceed four square feet with light reflective and minimum four inch letters that includes the name of the operator and an after-hours monitored phone number must be erected at the entrance. The sign must be placed a minimum of 10’ but no more than 25’ from the road right-of-way, and must be appropriately maintained throughout the operation of the mine site. In addition, temporary directional and warning signage at/near points of ingress/egress shall be installed for the duration of the mining activity.
(4) Buffers.
i. Where adjacent to developed properties (non-industrial), a 50’ natural buffer, to include a 15’ berm, is required along property lines. The berm must be installed within 12 months after initiating operations and shall be installed on the portion of the site closest to residences first.
ii. Where adjacent to undeveloped properties, a 100’ Type C buffer is required. A 50’ natural buffer, to include a 15’ berm, can be substituted for the Type C buffer. If no or insufficient buffer vegetation exists, the 50’ natural buffer, to include a 15’ berm, shall be required in lieu of the 100’ Type C buffer. Berms must be installed within 12 months after initiating operations.
iii. Where adjacent to industrial, agriculture, timber, or protected property, a 50’ natural buffer is required.
iv. A natural buffer is defined as land left in its natural state and allowed to grow undisturbed. Clearing within the buffer for a berm is allowed.
(5) Fences. Mines abutting obvious gathering places for children, such as but not limited to, a public or private school, a public park or public recreation area, a youth activity center, a public library, or a licensed child care facility shall be secured by installing a 6’ fence. Fence must run along the affected property line and turn at the corners. SC DHEC may require additional improvements as part of their Mine Operating Permit.
(6) Noise.
i. Operations shall be limited to 90 dB during operational hours as measured at the property line.
ii. Dewatering pumps that run after operational hours shall utilize sound attenuated enclosures, sound attenuating materials or barriers, or other sound mitigation measures to limit noise levels to 50 dB as measured at the property line after operational hours.
(7) Hours of Operation. Operational hours are limited to 6:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, and 7:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.
(c) Reporting Requirements. All mineral resource extraction operations shall submit copies of their Solid Waste and Mining Report and their Bureau of Water Report to the Department of Planning & Zoning on an annual basis.
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Dorchester County Mask Ordinance to Expire at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 8
At the Tuesday, September 8 County Council Meeting, Council voted 1 in favor and 6 opposed to an ordinance that would extend the mask ordinance through November 7. With the motion failing, the mask ordinance for Unincorporated Dorchester County will expire at 11:59 PM tonight, Tuesday, September 8.
While the wearing of a mask in public spaces will no longer be mandated in unincorporated Dorchester County, residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to continue practicing social distancing and to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.
Residents, business owners, and visitors are reminded that at this time mask ordinances remain in place for all municipalities within Dorchester County.
Businesses within Unincorporated Dorchester County may continue to impose a mask requirement as they see fit for their respective businesses.
The mandatory temperature check and mask requirements will remain in place for all Dorchester County facilities, until further notice.
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The general election is now less than 60 days away.
Mark you calendars and get ready to vote. November 3rd is Election Date. With our next general election just 60 days away now, you should go to SCVotes for any of your online voting needs. There you can check or update your voter registration, find your voting location, request an absentee ballot, and a lot more.
To get details about “Touchless Voting” go to NoExcuseSC.
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