Residents of Greenfield Estates, an annex subdivision in Aynor, are frustrated by the lack of municipal services despite paying taxes to the town. Many support de-annexing from Aynor due to their community’s perceived inequity and unmet needs.
Residents Express Desire to Annex Subdivision
The phrase “no taxation without representation” resonates strongly with residents of Greenfield Estates, a subdivision near Aynor Middle School, as they grapple with concerns over their annexation into the town of Aynor. Despite paying real estate taxes that include a portion allocated to the town, many residents feel they receive little in return for the additional financial burden.
Greenfield Estates HOA president Ted Czaplicki, who has lived in the community since 2016, has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of municipal services provided. Although the town of Aynor annexed the 70.4 acres of Greenfield Estates in 2003, residents like Czaplicki are questioning the value of being part of the town, particularly given the limited services they receive.
Issues Plague the Community
One of the primary concerns for the Greenfield Estates community is safety. With increased speeding within the neighborhood, the HOA took it upon themselves to install speed bumps and stop signs. However, the lack of initial enforcement led to continued traffic issues. This is particularly troubling due to the subdivision’s proximity to Aynor Middle School.
Recently, a more visible police presence has been noted, offering some reassurance, but residents still report a lack of other municipal services. Fire and emergency services are handled by Horry County, not the town of Aynor. Reaching the local police department during weekends and evenings has been problematic.
Additionally, stormwater management falls under the subdivision’s responsibility. The community has been dealing with the effects of significant runoff from the middle school, which overwhelms their stormwater system. The HOA has invested over $11,000 to maintain their retention ponds, but requests for shared financial responsibility with the town have been unsuccessful.
Annex Process Questioned
Czaplicki also questions whether the town of Aynor properly followed the legal process in annexing the Greenfield Estates subdivision. According to state law, annexations require filing notices with various state departments. However, there is no record of such a filing for Aynor since 1998, leading to doubts about the validity of the annexation.
The annexation has left Greenfield Estates connected to Aynor by a narrow strip of land, yet residents feel they are not receiving the same treatment as other parts of the town. This perceived disparity has fueled frustration, with many in the community supporting de-annexing from the town.
Czaplicki believes that most residents would favor leaving the town due to the lack of services and concerns over how the annexation was handled.
