The Aiken Comprehensive Plan - A Blueprint for Aiken's Future
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan is the community’s roadmap for growth. It’s an official legal document, adopted by the county, which guides our growth during the next ten years.
From our plan:
“Aiken County’s Comprehensive Plan is the community’s guide for how we grow, invest, and protect what matters most over the next decade.
While growth and change are inevitable, how we respond is a choice. This Plan provides a framework to align land use, infrastructure, transportation, housing, economic development, environmental protection, and public facilities, ensuring that today’s decisions support long-term stability and community character.
This Comprehensive Plan is more than a legal requirement. It is a practical tool — grounded in data, shaped by public input, and designed to guide responsible decision-making through 2034.”
Aiken County’s plan specifically protects rural areas, farmland, and sensitive watersheds from industrial development. It says these places should stay low-density and agricultural—not turned into power plants.
Effects of Comprehensive Plan on Eastern Aiken
The plan specifically prioritizes different parts of the county for different types of land use. When the county released its draft plan in February 2026, the eastern part of Aiken County (including areas near New Holland, Couchton and Montmorenci) was designated as a “Transition Area”—a zone where higher-density development could eventually be approved.
The community responded overwhelmingly, including a petition with 1500+ signatures. Public comments submitted to the County and at the public meeting identified “Opposition to the Proposed Eastern Transitional Area” as the #1 concern out of seven major themes. People made it clear: the east side rural areas should be protected.
The Planning Commission listened. On March 16, 2026, they removed the eastern Transition Area entirely and redesignated it as a zone of Rural Preservation. This change was recommended in the final draft plan submitted to County Council on March 19, 2026.
Drag arrow below to see a comparison of the original plan versus the one adopted after push back from Aiken residents.
Why the Plan Matters for the Gas-Fired Power Plant
Although the Comprehensive Plan states that development in the Rural Preservation zone “should generally be limited to agriculture, low-density residential, agriculture-related commercial uses, or forest lands,” it is important to recognize that most of this eastside area is, nonetheless, zoned for Rural Development (RUD). RUD is the least restrictive and most permissive zoning classification, and industrial uses are still permitted in areas zoned RUD.
Why We Need YOUR Support
County Planning Staff and Planning Commissioners have done a great job in revising the Comprehensive Plan in response to our concerns. The plan only works if we use it! We must remain watchful for proposed development that does not “fit” in the Rural Protection Area.
Going forward, it will be important to remind Planning Commissioners and County Council that the eastside Rural Protection Area is a critical region of prime farmland, groundwater recharge, wetlands, and surface water resources (including Shaw’s Creek and the Edisto River). A gas-fired power plant, a data center, and other non-agricultural industrial uses do not belong in this region.
You have the leverage to protect our rural, agricultural, and equestrian lands!
Next Steps: Getting the Plan Adopted
The plan is now in County Council’s hands. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on March 19, 2026, to recommend adoption. On April 21st, the County Council will hold a public hearing on the plan during their regular meeting – Meeting info below.
This is your most important opportunity to speak. Council needs to hear that residents support the plan—especially the Rural Preservation designation for the east side.
Three Required Votes by Council
Before the plan is finalized and adopted, state law requires the County Council to approve the plan at three separate council meetings before it becomes official (likely end of May).
What you can do to help this version of the plan to become adopted
- Attend the April 21st meeting. Show up in person. Sign up to speak. Tell Council why passing the comprehensive plan matters to you.
- Submit written comments to council members. (Click here for council member contact information).
- Stay engaged through all three votes. Continue to attend meetings and sending comments until plan is finalized.
- Spread the word and bring other citizens to meetings. The more who participate, the stronger our message.
Aiken County Council Members
District 1 – Ron Felder
District 2 – Mike Kellems
District 3 – Danny Feagin
District 4 – Landon Ball
District 5 – Sandy Haskell
District 6 – Phil Napier
District 7 – L. Andrew Siders
District 8 – P.K. Hightower
