Apr. 20--The City of North Augusta is looking for roughly $800,000 from Aiken County's capital projects fund for intersection improvements along Walnut Lane and U.S. 25.

Aiken County Council is set to look at the issue at its Tuesday meeting.

City Administrator Sam Bennett said that, at the end of the I-520 project, the widening of both roads and installing turn lanes would help relieve traffic congestion that clogs the area during peak periods.

"It would open up access to that commercial property and serve the subdivisions off Walnut Lane," he said, noting that North Augusta will work closely with the South Carolina Department of Transportation on the project.

If County Council approves the funding, Bennett said he hopes the work will be completed in nine to 12 months.

In other business Tuesday, Council will hear first reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone 1.19 acres at the corner of Columbia Highway North and Bradley Mill Road to urban development (UD) from residential (RC).

According to Councilman Charles Barton, before the County implemented zoning in 1992, the owner of the acreage intended the land to be commercial. But the land was stamped residential when zoning was put in place.

"It shows on his tax bill commercial and he's paying those taxes," Barton said. "I don't believe he has anyone that wants to buy it; he just realizes it's not zoned right. I am certainly going to ask Council to approve it (the rezoning)."

Aiken County Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in chambers located at 736 Richland Ave.

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