Panel rules on developments

Three proposed large residential developments came before the Columbia County Planning Commission on Jan. 18, each receiving a different judgment.

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Planning commissioners unanimously rejected a request by developers Arthur Marshall and Garnett Land Development to rezone 61.8 acres on Hereford Farm Road adjacent to the Farmington subdivision. Marshall asked planning commissioners to rezone the land from Residential-1 to the higher density Residential-2 with a Residential Cluster Overlay.

Marshall's plans called for about 150 homes on the site. He said the development would look attractive, feature about 17 acres of greenspace and not negatively affect surrounding neighborhoods.

Several nearby residents complained about the number of homes in the proposed development and the additional traffic it would create.

The request will go before the county commission Feb. 8 with a negative recommendation.

The zoning board also unanimously voted to table Hidden Creek, a proposed 350-acre mixed-use commercial and residential development, outside Grovetown. Developer Great Water Homes LLC is seeking a planned unit development zoning to build more than 800 detached houses, townhomes and apartments, an "active-adult" retirement center and a medical office complex.

The proposed site would surround the fifth Columbia County high school near Chamblin and Baker Place roads.

Before the vote to table the issue, Planning Commission Vice Chairman Brett McGuire said the density of the Hidden Creek development is "totally out of character for this section of the county."

He initially made a motion to disapprove the development before Chad Vickers, a representative of Great Water Homes LLC, agreed to revisit the plan. The request will be heard again at the Feb. 1 Planning Commission meeting.

In other action, planning commissioners unanimously approved a request to rezone 94 acres on Blackstone Camp Road that will be included in Blanchard and Calhoun's River Island Settlement neighborhood near a new middle school. But two area residents expressed concerns about the number of homes and said they want to preserve the area's character.

Plans for the River Island addition call for 276 detached houses and townhomes. The River Island tract will go to the county commission for final approval Feb. 8.

Planning commissioners also:

Approved a rezoning of 7.5 acres on Hillcrest Drive and Oakridge Road from R-2 to Special-1.

Approved a rezoning of 1.65 acres at 4067 Jimmy Dyess Parkway from Manufacturing-1 to Commercial-2. Applicant VIC of Augusta sought the rezoning to build a hotel and restaurant.

Approved the rezoning of 1.14 acres at Evans-to-Locks and North Belair roads to become part of a commercial Planned Unit Development.