South Augusta homeowners gathered in opposition to two proposed developments along Windsor Spring Road during Augusta Planning Commission’s meeting Monday, and their protests swayed the recommendations of the Planning Staff.
Jim Trotter of Trotter Jones law firm spoke on behalf of LDG Development regarding its request to rezone some 12 acres at 2306, 2308 and 2330 Windsor Spring Rd. from One-family Residential to Multiple-family Residential.
Planning staff had originally recommended approving the petition with conditions, making way for the developer to build its proposed three-story apartment complex of 144 units. Trotter noted the current plans for the complex to include two entrances, one on Richmond Hill Road and another on Silverdale Road to be used as emergency ingress egress easement.
Trotter also underscored LDG’s $100 million investment in other apartment buildings throughout the area, and the increasing demand for housing in south Augusta amid growth.
“We’ve got a tremendous number of industries moving into here,” said Trotter. “The medical community is growing, and that doesn’t even begin to talk about what the cyber development has done for our area. But all of those people who are coming need places to live.”
Neighbors of the area disagreed, as 37 residents of nearby homes attended the meeting to oppose the rezoning. Increased traffic, the potential for crime and adverse effects on property values were among the residents’ key concerns.
Lee Meyers, acting as a spokesperson for most of the opposing citizens, said that the proposed entrances to the development were problematic.
“These are not entrances and exits that are on main roads,” said Meyers. “These are in a residential neighborhood. Both of them are in a residential neighborhood.”
Juanita Burney, president of the Rollins Area Neighborhood Association, noted before the planning commissioners that one apartment complex abuts the neighborhood already, leading to problems ranging from traffic accidents to accumulating trash to trespassing.
“When people do not purchase real estate for ownership, they’re not as invested in it as when they are renting,” said Burney. “This neighborhood is not opposed to growth, but we want smart growth, not just any growth. And, unfortunately, south Augusta has been the victim—no matter what anyone says—of it not being smart growth.”
The same residents also stood against a request from Jay Jay Bajrangbali, LLC to rezone four acres at 2311 Windsor Spring Rd. and 3221 Richmond Hill Rd. from Neighborhood Business to General Business, in order to build a convenience store and gas station.
Opposition cited the danger of increased traffic at an already busy intersection of Richmond Hill and Windsor Spring, and the fact that several gas stations already exist nearby.
Planning staff had recommended denial of Bajrangbali’s request. In the case of LDG’s rezoning request, the staff altered their recommendation to denial in response to the community’s objections.
The Planning Commission, in turn, voted in both cases to recommend denial of the petitions,
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
