The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a major planned unit development revision in its meeting Tuesday for an approximately 11-acre property located off Baker Place Road.
Tampa-based developer KLA Properties III requested the PUD revision for the purpose of a proposed development called Warrior’s Walk. The development is to include commercial and professional units along with 44 townhomes with frontages along Warriors Way, William Few Parkway and Baker Place Road.
Jeremy Pennington, a resident of the Grovetown subdivision Hidden Creek, expressed concerns before the board regarding traffic issues along William Few Parkway that could result from the new development. Pennington posited that widening William Few would be necessary in order to alleviate traffic before the construction of Warrior’s Walk.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
“It’s not an argument against the development,” said Pennington. “It’s just a plea to please let the infrastructure come first because it’s almost untenable right now as it is, and it’s only going to make it worse, I believe, with additional homes being done before the widening of the road.”
Commissioner Gary Richardson asked if there were any plans in place to widen William Few. Deputy County Manager Matt Schlachter told Richardson that there were currently no plans to widen William Few, which Schlachter also noted could cost up to about $40 million.
Schlachter also said that there is a widening project and a turn lane project for nearby Chamblin Road presently underway to alleviate the traffic issues Pennington addressed, and that securing funding for a William Few widening project could take up to 15 years due to funds already allotted for other projects.
MORE: Columbia County has yet to use CARES Act funds
The commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to approve the PUD revision along Baker Place Road.
The board voted against entering into an agreement between the county and New York-based production company Engel Entertainment. The agreement was for the filming of a documentary television series in Columbia County about 311, which is a 24-hour non-emergency call-in service for information and assistance.
County Manager Scott Johnson explained that, although county administration originally recommended approval to enter into the agreement, the county attorney and Engel’s attorneys were unable to negotiate satisfactory terms.
[adrotate banner=”20″]
A resolution to authorize the approval of issuing revenue refunding bonds died after the commissioners voted. The resolution was for the Columbia County Development Authority to issue revenue refunding bonds up to $13 million to the School of Arts-Infused Learning, a charter school in Evans. County attorney Chris Driver said that though the Development Authority required the consent of the Board of Commissioners to issue the bonds, the bonds are not based on the county’s financial backing, but rather are paid back under the backing the school.
Commissioner Connie Melear moved to disapprove the resolution, citing how difficult it would be to explain to her constituents how the signatures of the commissioners are required despite the county not holding any responsibility or liability for issuing the bonds.
“I don’t think I can explain to my constituents in a convincing way that we’re not on the hook to the Development Authority, that our government is not on the hook, for $13 million,” said Melear.
Melear and Richardson voted against the resolution, while Chairman Doug Duncan and Commissioner Dewey Galeas voted in favor. As Commissioner Don Skinner was not present for the meeting, the vote was not enough the carry the motion. The motion therefore died, effectively killing the resolution.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
