A Columbus, Ga. developer is bringing back its proposed Grovetown-area subdivision before Columbia County for consideration.
Earlier this year, Hughston Homes had requested to rezone a 96-acre tract sandwiched between Wrightsboro and Hamilton roads from R-2 to R-1 Single-family Residential. At the time, the concept plan for the planned new neighborhood, called Hamilton Grove, included 36 home lots, as well as a new road extending south from Wrightsboro.
In 2020 the property was rezoned from Residential Agricultural (R-A), which restricts lot sizes to a minimum of 2.5 acres, to R-2, which has minimum lots of 10,000 square feet, under the condition that any development would be connected to public water and sewer within two years.
The Columbia County planning department’s staff report on Hughston’s February rezoning request acknowledges that “there is an argument to revert the zoning of the property to R-A,” as the parcel is still undeveloped.
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Hughston’s initial rezoning request sought the R-1 zoning in order to build lots would septic systems while still connected to public water. Under R-1, home lots without sewer access have a minimum of nearly an acre, while those connected to public sewers are allowed a minimum of 30,000 square feet.
The county health department requested a soil survey of the property after a soil test submitted with the rezoning application raised concerns about the land’s suitability for septic systems. Amid these concerns, Hughston Homes had withdrawn its application by the time it went before the planning commission.
In April the developer submitted a new application for the project, this time asking for a special exception from the requirement to install a left turn lane from Wrightsboro Road.
The new concept for Hamilton Grove, which would remain zoned R-2, shows 131 home lots, 17 of which would have direct frontage and access to Hamilton Road. It would also include a stormwater management system and a public sewer extension from Hamilton Road.
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According to the application’s letter of intent from Bolt Engineering, a roundabout proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation that would help provide street connection across from where Wrightsboro and Baker Place Roads intersect, the required left turn lane would no longer be necessary.
The Columbia County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the new request during its meeting on June 5.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
