(Correction note: a previous version of this article included a mistake in which a property, owned by the City of Grovetown and the subject of a rezoning request, was referred to as being approximately 7,500 acres. This figure was incorrect, as the property is approximately 7.5 acres. The error has been corrected.)
The Columbia County Planning commission is set to address two requests by local municipalities next month.
The City of Grovetown submitted a request June 2 to rezone an approximately 7.5-acre property at 5221 Parham Rd. from residential agricultural to special. The city aims to build a 100-foot tall, 750,000-gallon water tower, part of a $5 million planned upgrade to the water system of southeastern portion of the city, according to the narrative document included with the rezoning application.
“This project is designed to increase capacity to better serve the current residents as well as prepare for future growth,” according to the document.
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The City of Grovetown acquired the parcel in February for $230,000. Further plans for the parcel include demolishing one of the stick-built homes on the property, and renovating a 2,128-square foot mobile home for use as an office building for water department employees. The narrative indicated that, if the rezoning is approved, construction on the water tower is scheduled to begin in July 2023. The Planning Commission is scheduled to address it in its July 7 meeting.
Columbia County put in a request for a major revision of a planned unit development Petersburg Square. The plan revision is for the sake of three lots at 208, 210 and 212 New Petersburg Dr., which had been developed as quadplexes in a subdivision built for commercial and professional development.
The staff report for the county-initiated revision notes that the narrative for the property was revised 1987 for professional development, but not for quadplexes, which had been permitted “through and error at the time of development of the three parcels.” The building at 212 New Petersburg was completed in in 2009, while the other two were constructed in 2019.
“In order to remedy the issue, a county initiated major planned urban development revision of the three parcels to revert them to the quadplex use they have been developed as was initiated by the Columbia County Planning Commission” on June 2, said the staff report. The report also notes that “per Section 90-180 Zoning changes; ordinance amendments” that the Planning Commission may, by majority vote, initiate a zoning change. The Planning Commission is scheduled to address the matter on July 7.
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Pollard Land Company and CSRA Development is petitioning the Planning Commission to rezone a parcel 2576 Old Pearce Pl. from residential agricultural to planned residential development for the sake of a proposed subdivision off Clanton Road in Evans. The project is a senior living community called “The Laurels.” The development would include some 197 residential lots with about four acres of park space and nearly 60 acres of open space.
The rezoning request regarding “The Laurels” development is also scheduled on the agenda for the Columbia County Planning Commission on July 7.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
