AIKEN - The strongest commercial growth in the Aiken area in recent years happens to have occurred along a corridor that runs within the city limits and in the unincorporated county.

Marked differences in zoning regulations between the two jurisdictions have led to chaotic growth and calls from officials on both sides since at least 2001 to establish joint regulations and oversight.

But commercial development along Whiskey Road doesn't run on government time. Though a Whiskey Road Overlay District has yet to be established, growth has continued at a relentless pace in the four years since a joint committee first met to consider the issue.

It might be moving slowly, but it hasn't been dead in the water, according to officials. Over time, work on the overlay district has proceeded from committee to staff to commission and is about to come before the Aiken County Council.

But at least one council member is dissatisfied with the lack of momentum.

"Frankly, it languished with no set timetable of when to get back to us. I'm disappointed with the pace at which the overlay district has taken place," said Scott Singer, whose county council district includes the possible overlay district.

According to officials, the draft regulations assembled by the city and county planning staffs have been in the hands of the county planning commission since late 2003. The draft bypassed the city counterpart because it essentially follows city zoning regulations, leaving the county planning commission to review them and pass them on, along with a recommendation, to the county council.

Though the commission was given the job nearly two years ago, Phil England, Aiken County's director of planning and development, says it has reviewed the documents only in the past three months. Commissioners also have been reviewing a land management ordinance draft at monthly work sessions for about a year.

"How much can you really ask of volunteers?" County Administrator Clay Killian said when asked about the length of time the commission has taken to consider the draft.

The city codes being considered include such points as restrictions on sign size, setback, design and landscaping requirements, and tree preservation standards.

Mr. England says the planning commission will recommend all but the tree requirements.

"In order to be consistent (countywide), they want to remove mention of tree preservation," he said.

That might not be pleasing news to the city council. In recent years it has placed a high degree of importance on tree preservation in new development, and it is doubtful council members would abandon that stand.

Mr. Singer, of the county council, might be displeased as well.

"I hope our planning commission has not changed the regulations significantly," he said. "If what is presented is maturely different (from the draft), then we've definitely violated the spirit of cooperation that is in the original document."

Earlier this week, the two planning directors met with City Manager Roger LeDuc and County Administrator Clay Killian to apprise them of the draft's status.

"I would assume in this particular case I would not be surprised if a committee (from both councils) would be used to hammer out the details," Mr. LeDuc said.

Mr. LeDuc believes council members will not let the county commission's disregard of tree regulations be a deal breaker. He said officials in both jurisdictions hope an overlay district will be a pilot for similar districts in other areas around the city.

"I've never made it a secret that we would like to see these overlays in other areas," he said.

Reach J.C. Lexow at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or jc.lexow@augustachronicle.com.