CSRA Development’s planned subdivision on undeveloped land along Louisville Road is moving to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners’ next agenda with the Planning Commission’s stamp of approval.
Other Columbia County development projects scheduled for hearings during the Planning Commission’s Thursday meeting included a rezoning request submitted by Mill Branch Investments, LLLP.
The petition to rezone 337 acres on Horizon South Parkway from Residential Agricultural to Planned Unit Development had already been postponed from December. The aim of the request was to make way for Southeastern Development’s proposed major mixed-use project that would have included commercial, industrial and residential developments.
The plan for the development, called “Branch Springs,” entails a connecting roadway from the northeastern corner of the site on Horizon South Parkway to the western property line, tentatively referred to tin the conceptual land plan as “County Parkway.” Mill Branch Investments intended to work with the county to provide right of way along this connection, tying it to Gateway Boulevard.
“A large part of this development is predicated around this road connection, which is a county project,” said planner Danielle Montgomery to the commissioners. “This final layout and location of that road is not determined at this time. That does greatly impact the ability to develop a plan for this site.”
Shortly before the meeting, Mill Branch requested that its rezoning application be withdrawn without prejudice, and the commissioners voted to allow the withdrawal.
A major PUD revision submitted by Euchee Creek Investments also got a vote of approval, however. The developers plan to build a residential subdivision for seniors on 17 acres along Laurel Drive, consisting of some 47 detached homes.
While no one actively opposed the development, nearby residents did speak during the hearing to express concerns, such as effects on traffic along nearby Blue Springs Trace, or the extent of trees cleared from the area, and urged the developers to confer with homeowners.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
