Irmo Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial 550-Home Development

Irmo Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial 550-Home Development

In the picturesque town of Irmo, nestled in the heart of Richland County, the anticipation surrounding a new housing development named Water Walk has turned into a bit of a showdown. Though the town’s leaders have given the green light for a plan to build 550 homes, not everyone is on board. Local resident Adam Raynor has stepped up to challenge this decision with a lawsuit, claiming that the town has violated both state law and its own regulations.

The Background

It all started back in August when the Irmo Planning Commission initially denied approval for the Water Walk project during a meeting on August 12. Fast forward just a month later, and the developers from Material Capital Partners were back at the drawing board with a revised plan that would ultimately receive initial approval from the Irmo Town Council on September 17. This rapid turnaround is at the heart of Raynor’s concerns.

Raynor argues that under the town’s ordinances, when a proposal is denied, the appropriate next steps should involve either an appeal to the Circuit Court or a complete review by the Town Council. In his view, the Planning Commission should not have reconsidered the project without restarting the entire application process. He believes that a mandatory waiting period of 12 months applies, allowing for ample time for public input and thoughtful review.

Legal Maneuvers

Raynor’s lawsuit seeks an official ruling from a judge in Richland County that the town has mishandled procedural aspects of zoning applications. He’s not just raising concerns; he’s asking the court to hold Irmo responsible for any claims or legal actions that the developers might bring against him.

In Raynor’s eyes, the quick pivot back to the Planning Commission undermines the purpose of due process. “Rushing the process by returning the proposal to the Planning Commission less than one month after the denial,” he said, “undermines this purpose and the procedural safeguards set forth in the ordinance.”

The Town’s Defense

However, the town of Irmo is pushing back. Town officials have requested that the court dismiss Raynor’s lawsuit, arguing that he lacks standing to bring the suit because he does not own property near the development site. They also claim that Raynor filed the lawsuit without proper legal representation and failed to serve the town properly before an earlier court hearing.

Moreover, the town is advocating for the development, asserting that it’s crucial for managing growth in the community. Irmo officials have pointed out that with the current zoning laws, the land could be developed into as many as 700 apartments without any oversight from local planning. By moving forward with the Water Walk project, they believe they are setting limits and maintaining some control over the scale of the development.

Next Steps

The legal showdown is far from over, as a virtual hearing has been scheduled for December 5 in front of Judge Mark Hayes. With both sides preparing to lay out their cases, it’s a wait-and-see moment for the residents of Irmo, who are keenly watching how this situation unfolds.

As Irmo navigates these turbulent waters, residents are left pondering what the future holds for their beloved town. Will the Water Walk development proceed as planned, or will Raynor’s concerns lead to a major shift in the project’s trajectory? Only time will tell, but for now, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Stay tuned as this story develops, and we’ll make sure to keep you updated on all the important happenings in Irmo!