Planning commission gives approval for developments

After hearing opposition from several area residents, Columbia County Planning Commission unanimously passed two rezoning requests May 5 for property along William Few Parkway.

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About 218 acres west of the Berkley Hills subdivision was rezoned from residential-agricultural to planned unit development. A 110-acre cemetery, zoned special district, will be incorporated into the development.

Two sections, called the Hills at Berkley Hills, are planned as part of Berkley Hills. The first phase will consist of 92 lots on nearly 30 acres, and the second phase will include 66 lots on about 21 acres, in addition to 37 lots on about 24 acres to be named Magnolia Valley.

Berkley Hills Pass remains the main entrance into the neighborhood, and that concerns some residents.

David Agee, who lives in the Berkley Hills subdivision, said the increase in traffic will cause safety issues for joggers and children.

A road will connect Berkley Hills to neighboring Summerlin subdivision, creating another point of access, said Aaron Sullivan Jr., who owns and is developing the land.

A funeral home, day care center and church are planned near the cemetery site during the third phase of construction, which will require site plans and other documentation before building permits are issued, according to the planning and zoning staff. The entire property is on 497 acres, which is to be developed at a later time.

Also at the meeting, residents disagreed with the planning commission's decision to rezone about eight acres at 2503 William Few Parkway from residential-agricultural to single-family residential.

The decision will allow for three one-acre lots fronting William Few Parkway and about a four-acre lot in the rear of the property.

"I think it's going to bring down the property value of the homes in that area if you do that," said Steven Powell, who lives across the street from the rezoned property.

The planning and zoning board also approved a final plat for Pennington Place on General Wood Parkway and a final plat revision for Bedford at Riverwood West on General Wood Parkway. Preliminary plats for High Meadows Section H and Lancaster II at Canterbury Farms also were passed.

Also, site plan revisions were approved for planned unit developments at 4040 Old Evans Road and Lancaster II and III.