AIKEN - During the past four years, the city of Aiken has taken steps to protect what experts have called a diverse ecosystem from encroaching development.
A key component of that defense got under way this week with a $20,000 study of the city's open space.
The study could help determine where development will take place in the city, said Sandra Korbelik of the city planning department.
Consultants with Bio Habitats in Raleigh, N.C., arrived in Aiken on Monday.
The company was hired to identify properties with cultural, historical, scenic, educational and water-resource values, in addition to the presence of rare or protected species in the city's 66.7-square-mile utilities service district.
The move toward the open space study began in 2003.
"The community acknowledged that open space was important to Aiken and its future," City Manager Roger LeDuc said. "We wanted to set ourselves apart and look at what our community could look like in 20 years."
Open space, which research has shown can lead to lower crime rates, rejuvenated downtowns and high property values, has become a major component of Aiken's land planning.
The city has set aside $1 million to acquire the land it would protect from development.
Aiken has a history of developing and protecting open space throughout the community, as evidenced by the 176 parkways in the downtown area.
"This uniqueness lends to the city's distinctiveness of the natural, cultural and historical qualities of Aiken," Mr. LeDuc said.
"Just as our tree-lined streets and parkways have defined Aiken's past, in the future a well-planned, open space plan will define Aiken's future," he said.
Ms. Korbelik quoted the consultant as saying that Aiken and Aiken County is a special area because of its three distinct habitats that support a broad diversity of plant life in one area.
The consulting firm is expected to meet at least twice with an open space task force before submitting a final report by June 30.
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
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