Concerns Rise Over Proposed Housing Development in West Columbia

Concerns Rise Over Proposed Housing Development in West Columbia

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Just a little over a month ago, residents in West Columbia started voicing their unease about a potential housing development in their neighborhood. On Monday night, the planning commission meeting saw a packed room as community members gathered to discuss the proposal, feeling the weight of the issue at hand.

The plans on the table bring forth a proposal for 55 single-family homes, with developers promising three to four parking spaces on each lot. The projected prices for these homes range from $225,000 to $300,000. While some residents see the potential for improving their community, others are expressing worries about safety, traffic, and the overall impact on the area.

Voices of the Community

At the meeting, numerous residents took turns at the podium to share their opinions. One resident candidly stated, “One word, safety.” Another added a suggestion, saying, “Couldn’t we also just zone it to be a park? Does that just kind of throw it away?” The sentiments were quite similar among neighbors who stood up one after another to express their concerns regarding this new development located off Comanchee Trail.

A resident chimed in with a practical perspective, noting, “I don’t think anyone here is opposed to development. It’s reasonable development.” However, the meeting brought back memories of an earlier plan that proposed a 90-unit townhome complex. Now, with this revised concept featuring just 55 homes, the sellers of the land have proposed a request for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), indicating a desire for commercial use as well.

Understanding Planned Unit Developments

Chad Rast, vice president of O’Cain Construction Company, explained the reasoning behind a PUD, which is a community designed for flexibility and efficiency. He mentioned how, “They wanted to retain a 7,500 square foot space for the possibility of putting a future cell phone tower on this property.” He further elaborated that compliance with their land contract needed this move towards a PUD.

Community Concerns Persist

Despite the rationale, several residents still couldn’t grasp why a new development is being pushed when at least three other housing developments exist nearby. One concerned resident, Diane Conner, stated, “When they just ask ’em why are you trying to bring this in, they had no rationale for it. They haven’t proposed any kind of density study or marketing assessment.”

Optimistically, another resident, Malinda Rutledge Carlisle, expressed, “I believe we were heard. I truly hopefully, there will be some good outcomes.” Certainly, the desire for a constructive dialogue is evident among the neighbors passionate about maintaining their quality of life.

Planning Commission Weighs In

Planning commission chair Gary Prince urged residents to consider the alternative. He asked, “He’s got the ability to build 55 homes no matter what. Would you rather him just come build homes or would you rather him build homes and have some restrictions that we control?” This perspective seemed to engage more thought among the crowd.

Moreover, Mayor Tem Miles shared his view on the proposal, stating, “I very much like the idea of doing it as a PUD because we can get those upgrades to what the development is going to be and give the community some assurances that it will be a good addition to it as opposed to y’all just going down and building it under the current entitlements.” This indication felt reassuring to many attendees.

Next Steps

As the night concluded, the planning commission made the significant decision to recommend the development to the city council. It’s important to note that there are still two more required readings before any final decision regarding the proposal on Comanchee Trail is reached.

With community voices echoing their thoughts on safety, development, and the changing landscape of their neighborhoods, it’s clear that West Columbia is at a crossroad. The discussions that have started now may shape the future of the community for years to come.