The Augusta Planned Commission voted to recommend approval for a planned use development (PUD) near Turpin Hill, in its first 2024 meeting, Monday afternoon.
Augusta real estate developer Realty One Group Visionaries is petitioning to rezone five parcels spanning 22 acres on Steiner Avenue and Mill Street, where it plans to build an expansive mixed-use development.
The PUD’s concept plan includes nearly 50 townhomes, 51 detached single-family units, 90 apartment units and more than 5,000 square feet of commercial space.
Planning staff noted in its report on the item that soil at the site is contaminated with hazardous materials, as a mill operated there for many years. During Monday’s meeting, staff told the commissioners that an environmental study commissioned by the developers found “numerous contaminants” in the soil, but that “none were above levels requiring notification of the state.”
“With overall site development, the team will be working closely with our engineering department to ensure that it meets local guidelines,” and as well with the other departments in satisfying minimal standards,” said city planner Kevin Boyd to the commissioners.
Burt Fine with Cranston Engineering Group approached the board alongside Ernest Jones of Realty One, noting one major change from the concept plan submitted to the planning department.
The apartments, Fine said, would be built on the southern portion of the site, where most of the contaminants were found in the soil along the existing nearby railroad.
“This will allow the developer to develop the single-family portion of the site first, and then … the multifamily and commercial side, which will give them time to develop a remediation plan,” said Fine.
Commissioner Donnie Smith expressed concern about what counts as an acceptable level of contamination in the area, even if is below the level required to report to the state.
“We don’t know what an acceptable level of lead, barium, chromium or any of those things that you talked about being there needing a remediation plan,” Smith said, “There has been case histories of projects being built in minority neighborhoods that suffer from lead poisoning, and I don’t want us to be the ones that are responsible for allowing that to go forward.”
Fine assured the commissioners that the developers would be engaged with an environmentalist throughout the project, and would complete a remediation plan “when the time comes.”
With no one attending to oppose the petition, the Planning Commission members all voted in favor, with the exceptions of Commissioners Smith and Robert Cooks, who both abstained.
The commissioners also unanimously voted to reelect Chairman Sonny Pittman and Vice Chair Jeffery Pouser to their current seats. This will be Pittman’s eighth year serving in the Planning Commission.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
