Recent rezoning and variance applications indicate plans to build a new pregnancy care center in Evans off of N. Belair Road.
Jimmy Rhodes, former CEO of TaxSlayer, has submitted variance requests to Columbia County Planning, regarding 903 Ponder Place Court and 601 Ponder Place Drive, two tracts comprising one parcel totaling 3.82 acres.
The narrative document notes that the property was rezoned from Planned Development District (PDD) to P-1 Professional in December of 2013, and granted variances in February and September of 2014, to merge three parcels into one, making way for a proposed office development for company Janus Research Group.
MORE: Locals can make their own figurines with new photo booth service
The project never materialized, as the land is still vacant, though Janus Research Group still operates from its offices at nearby 600 Ponder Place Drive, according to a Sherman & Hemstreet Real Estate Co. spokesman who manages the property . Rhodes acquired the property in 2023, according to property records.
The variance requests seek to revise the maximum setback from the centerline of Ponder Place Court from 100 to 55 feet, from the centerline of North Belair Road from 160 to 125 feet, and Ponder Place Drive from 55 to 125 feet. These would all be reversals of variances granted on the property in 2014.
MORE: Retail development proposed for neighborhood in Martinez
The applicant is also requesting to separate the tract into three parcels again for development. The concept plans included show a proposed Pregnant Choices facility on one of what would be three tracts. In 2017, Rhodes and his wife founded Pregnant Choices, a free medical clinic for women, which currently has offices on 4325 Washington Road.
The Columbia County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the item in its meeting on Sept. 5.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
