The Augusta Planning commission approved a proposed mixed-use, build-to-rent development in south Augusta, Monday afternoon.
Planning staff noted that the two subject parcels at 2384 and 2836 Gordon Hwy., totaling roughly 25 acres, had been rezoned in June of 2021 from Manufactured Home Residential (R-MH) to its current zoning, to One-family Residential (R-1E) for a proposed townhome development.
Among the conditions for the approval of that rezoning were that the subdivision include no more than 117 townhome lots, that the side and rear boundaries of the site have a minimum 10-foot buffer, that 25% of the development be open space and that amenities include grill areas near the pond, a clubhouse and a pool or splash pad.
Southeastern is seeking to rezone the property again to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to make way for Miller’s Crossing, a neighborhood still comprised of 117 dwellings, to include townhomes, duplexes, triplexes and single-family houses.
Matt Mills of Southeastern Development told planning commissioners that the current plan for the property is a revamp of the original townhome development to acclimate to market trends.
“It’s always been our intention from day one to rent 117 townhomes, but we’ve come up with a better product,” said Mills. “This enables us to rent single-family houses and townhomes that have a lot more curb appeal than your average townhome. So it’s really the decision of whether you want the same old town home, which we’ve got all over Augusta, or if you want something new and creative.”
Mills also noted that Southeastern has investors with stake in the area, and that some portion of the overall development project must be built and rented soon to fulfill obligations to the IRS.
“We will build townhomes to rent, because that’s what our investors lined up to do,” he said. “But I think this is a better this for the county, it’s a better looking project, one we can be more proud of, and Richmond County can as well.”
Mills also responded to a question by west Augusta resident Patricia Jeeter about whether the homes will be Section 8 or HUD housing, although Commission Chair Jeffery Pooser advised Jeeter such questions are restricted from Planning Commission hearings. Mills referenced another Southeastern rental development, Cottages at Ansley on Augusta West Parkway, noting its rent starts at about $2,200 a month.
Planning Commissioner George McKnight expressed support of the project, saying that townhome subdivisions “of solely townhomes, can be a problem for Augusta,” and that the mixed-use neighborhood of the kind Southeastern is proposing would prove better for the city.
The Planning Commissioners would follow the staff’s recommendations and vote unanimously to approve the rezoning. The rezoning request is scheduled to be heard by the Augusta Commission on Oct. 21.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering general reporting for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com
