Springdale eager for fast growth

Tiny Springdale wants to become much bigger – quickly.

Town leaders are seeking to annex a square mile on the north side of the community, taking in 467 homes and a commercial strip with 70 businesses along U.S. 1 just west of I-26.

The move would add an estimated 1,000 people to the Lexington County town’s population of 2,700.

It’s an ambitious effort for a quiet bedroom community next to Columbia Metropolitan Airport and perhaps best known as the home of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

Residents in four adjoining neighborhoods will make the choice on becoming part of the town during a referendum April 14 created to settle longtime exploration of the idea.

The ballot comes after a town-sponsored petition drive netted 120 signatures required from homeowners in the area to hold the ballot. It’s one of the largest annexation attempts by a Columbia-area community since the early 1990s.

Homeowners in favor of the move say it will mean better police protection and trash service than currently provided by county officials.

Town leaders promise fast response to neighborhood problems such as litter and making sure homes are kept in good condition in the 60-year-old community.

For a typical homeowner, joining the town will add about $200 a year to their property, vehicle and utility taxes, officials estimate.

For some residents, that’s too much. “We already pay out the ying yang for everything,” Leon Robertson said. “We can’t stand any more taxes.”

Others say the benefits are worth the price. “It doesn’t sound too bad for the money,” Karl Smith said.

Police Chief Kevin Cornett pledges attention to road safety and home break-ins, which are the bulk of crimes the eight-officer town force handles.

Enforcement will be firm but “we’re not going to be Gestapo-like,” he said.

Town Hall would gain $500,000 in taxes and commercial fees from the addition of the area. That would be used to add two police officers and a public works employee to the current staff of 15 by mid-summer to serve the area if it becomes part of the town, officials said.

Springdale leaders are using a soft-sell approach to promote the move as the vote approaches.

“We’re going to be telling our side and let them pick,” Mayor Michael Bishop said. “We’d love to have them, but we will always be neighbors no matter what.”

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 9:08 PM.