North Augusta tentatively OKs Bluegrass Place project with apartments, senior housing – Yahoo News
The wooded area in North Augusta between East Martintown Road and East Buena Vista Avenue could soon see some major redevelopment.
On Monday, North Augusta City Council tentatively approved the Bluegrass Place project, which would turn the nearly-52-acre area into residential, commercial and recreational space.
According to the project description narrative, Bluegrass Place is expected to include approximately 300 multi-family units – “proposed to be market rate apartments with detached garages” – and 137 single-family units as well as a park, some commercial space and a senior-living facility with roughly 100 units.
A new road system will be installed between East Martintown and East Buena Vista, but the council made one important, divisive change to the design.
Part of the initial plan was to build out a road that connects the already-standing Goldman Street near North Augusta Elementary School to Bluegrass Place. However, several neighbors who live on Goldman and the adjoining Mealing Avenue expressed concerns.
The overarching argument was that the small, enclosed neighborhood of less than 40 households creates a quiet, close-knit community. Connecting the two neighborhoods would compromise that by increasing traffic and decreasing safety, they said.
As the city council weighed its options, development consultant Robert Wright with RealtyLink LLC reassured that altering the plan to not connect the two neighborhoods would not present any issues on their end.
Councilwomen Pat Carpenter and Jenafer McCauley argued strongly against the connection.
Said McCauley: “As one of the moms in carline, I also know how that goes over there, and I can honestly, possibly see moms or dads trying to cut through and find a faster way in, possibly, through that development.”
Councilmen David McGhee, Eric Presnell and Bob Brooks empathized with the neighbors, but voted for the connection. Part of the argument in favor was that the neighbors would benefit from the new park for their kids and a safer path to East Martintown Road.
Councilman Kevin Toole and Mayor Briton Williams were conflicted, but ultimately sided with Carpenter and McCauley to vote against the connection.
The final result was a 4-3 majority keeping the neighborhoods separate. Neighbors like Justin Pilcher were happy that city leaders had heard them.
“I’m actually glad to see somebody’s voice in all this,” Pilcher said. “I’m just glad to see just a few neighbors were able to come together.”
The plan was approved on first reading, and will be brought before the council again on second reading during the next meeting on Monday, March 7.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: North Augusta tentatively approves Bluegrass Place multi-use project
