Decision on Marshall Square expected

After the Columbia County Planning Commission altered and then approved the Marshall Square site plan last month, Columbia County Commission will have the final say Tuesday on the Evans development's revisions.

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On April 16, the planning and zoning board, which serves as a recommending body to the commission, decided to eliminate one of seven residential buildings planned for the 47-acre mixed-use project.

The planning commission revised the plan because of concern about an apartment building near two other residential buildings on the southern side of the property. The change reduces the number of apartments from 338 to 288.

The planning commission approved six four-story residential buildings resembling a historic Williamsburg style. A public square covering 15,000 to 20,000 square feet also was approved between two retail buildings and two apartment buildings with commercial units occupying the first floor of both residential buildings closest to the square.

The new plan also revealed four "live/work" buildings fronting Evans Town Center Boulevard with a total of 24 condominiums located above retail space.

The planning commission initially tabled a request to make changes to the 2007 plan at its Feb. 5 meeting. The changes had separated residential units from retail buildings and eliminated a high-rise residential tower.

The changes proved to be controversial; many county residents at the meeting spoke for and against the developers' latest plans.

Additional safety features are planned for each apartment building's entrance. Developers said a restrictive covenant, as allowable by law, would prevent the units from becoming low-income housing.

The county commission meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Evans Government Center Auditorium, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, and will be preceded by a presentation of next year's budget at 5:30 p.m.