The City of Camden Planning Commission held a public hearing Tuesday, November 21st regarding a proposed residential development consisting of single-family houses and townhomes. In overview, the proposal calls for a total of 795 lots, including 140 townhomes and 655 single-family homes. Based on the total acreage of the site, the resulting density is anticipated to be 2.56 units/acre. This density is comparable to the 2.5 units/acre maximum density in an R-15 zoning district. This is also a lower density than other developments recently approved. The development would be built in five phases as follows: Phase 1 (134 lots), Phase 2 (201 lots), Phase 3 (192 lots), Phase 4 (131 lots), and Phase 5 (124 lots). The developer anticipates a 7-10 year period for total build out of the project. Lots for the single-family homes will range from approximately 7,000 square feet to 12,420 square feet.
Please find below the corresponding documents regarding this proposed development, referred to as “The Paddocks”.
The holidays just feel special here in Camden. Many think it’s that small town charm, which just gets brighter and jollier as the end of the year approaches. Parades and performances abound, decorations appear along our city streets, and shops and restaurants are bustling with good cheer and great gift ideas.
Make plans to join in on some of these special holiday events and activities, starting with the City of Camden’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 1000 Lyttleton Street. The Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the “12 Days of Christmas”, highlighting community events taking place in and around Camden between November 30 and December 11. In addition to traditional holiday events, many local businesses will host open houses, pop-up shops, visits with Santa, and more fun and festive ways to help you complete your holiday shopping with less stress.
Here’s a listing of events taking place during the 12 Days of Christmas. Check back often, as more are added each week. We hope to see you out there!
The 27th Annual Fire Fest will take over Camden City Arena the last Saturday of September, and this year, a very special exhibit will be open to the public along with all of the usual Fire Fest activities.
Each year, Fire Fest serves as the kick off to national Fire Prevention Week TM (FPW). This year, the campaign message “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“We encourage all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, ‘Cooking safety starts with YOU,’ said Interim Fire Chief Eddie Gardner. “A cooking fire can grow quickly and we have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
As in years past, Fire Fest will include a live “side by side” burn demonstration, involving two constructed rooms – one with sprinklers and one without – to demonstrate how quickly fire can spread and the effects of sprinkler systems in the home. And returning after many years absent, the fire safety house will be on site.
Other activities at Fire Fest will include live Junior Explorer competitions and firefighting demonstrations, a hot rod and classic car cruise-in, performances from local dance teams, a Kids Zone, vendors and food trucks through 1 pm.
Fire Fest begins at 9 am Saturday, September 30, 2023 with a parade of new and antique fire trucks, along with other emergency vehicles from Camden City Hall, down Rutledge and Broad Streets, and ending at the City Arena for opening ceremonies at 9:30 am.
“We appreciate the continued support of our vendors and entertainment partners,” said Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Fest Committee Chair Chris Tidwell. “But we really value this opportunity to connect directly with the community and teach the importance of fire prevention and safety.”
The Camden Fire Department would like to thank all event sponsors, particularly Chief Sponsors: the City of Camden, Canfor Southern Pine, Community Broadcasters, Furniture Services Inc., Lugoff Automotive Group, Ole Timey Meats, and the South Carolina State Firefighters Association. It is through the support of community sponsors that allows Fire Fest to remain a free event.
Fire Fest is always held the last Saturday of September to kick off National Fire Safety Month in October and National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, October 8th this year.
The City of Camden is seeking applications to fill four open seats, one on the Board of Zoning Appeals, one on the Planning Commission, and two on the Board of Construction Appeals. Only City of Camden residents are eligible to apply; the deadline for applications is Friday, September 1.
The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of five members, who shall be appointed by City Council for overlapping terms of four years. The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator. This Board also has the authority to grant variances if certain conditions are met.
The Board of Adjustments and Appeals (Board of Construction Appeals) consists of five members, who shall be residents of the City serving three year terms. The Board of Construction Appeals addresses and resolves matters occurring under the Fire Prevention Code, the Building Code, the Electrical Code, and the Plumbing Code.
The Planning Commission consists of seven members, who shall be residents of the City serving four year terms. The Planning Commission seeks to guide and accomplish a coordinated and harmonious development of the City of Camden in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote the efficiency and economy in the process of development. The Planning Commission’s responsibilities include: prepare and revise periodically a comprehensive plan for the City, prepare and recommend to City Council ordinances promoting orderly development in accordance with the comprehensive plan, administer the City Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 157, and review and recommend needed changes in ordinance and map of the City, to advise, and where appropriate to assist, the Building Inspector of the City as to interpretation, administration and enforcement by him of Chapter 156 and 157 of the Code of Ordinances, to hear and recommend to the City Council all requests for changes in zoning boundaries and requests for relief from zoning requirements, and to recommend to the City Council changes, additions, or deletions to the Zoning Code and map and new ordinances pertaining to zoning as it appears advisable.
