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Proposed 40-plus-acre housing development would include 56 lots

 

COLUMBUS—The Town of Columbus Board of Planning and Adjustment recently held a special session at Town Hall to deliberate on the Feagan Property Development Project, a proposed 40-plus-acre housing development including 56 lots off Phillip Street. The session garnered significant public interest, with over fifty citizens attending.

The session included a presentation from Quartz Properties regarding the project, which would connect Holly Hill Drive and Weaver St. behind CVS. 

Board member Catherine Elliot emphasized that this was the first of several meetings to discuss the proposed development, and the Board had only been presented with the environmental report. No decisions or votes have been made regarding the development.

David Roover, Quartz’s Chief Growth Officer, expressed the company’s commitment to receiving input from the community. He said Quartz Properties wants to create a development that positively impacts the tax base without burdening the schools or infrastructure. 

In his presentation, project engineer Donald Penson outlined measures to protect Horse Creek and the area’s natural beauty. He also discussed potential amenities that would benefit the community and neighboring subdivisions, such as a dog park, playground, and trails connecting to the I-26 rest area.

Following the presentation, the meeting was opened for public input. Columbus resident Clint Blanton highlighted the need for more housing in the area. 

“After speaking with Mr. Roover, knowing what I know now, I’d favor the development,” Blanton said.

Robert Williamson of Columbus also expressed the need for more housing in the county but was concerned about additional traffic on the section of Highway 108 between the roundabout and the courthouse. Vanessa Garcia, also of Columbus, lives in Holly Hill and expressed concern for the children who play on the streets, saying there is no sidewalk in Holly Hill and no Home Owners Association, while the new development would have an HOA. 

“This is not an area setup for this type of development,” said Garcia. 

The Board allowed the developers to address community questions and thanked attendees for participating. It also requested additional studies from the developer, such as traffic and stormwater reports.

The Board of Planning and Adjustment is scheduled to convene on September 4.