Irmo Resident Files Lawsuit against Town over Controversial Water Walk Development
In the Town of Irmo, a controversial development known as Water Walk has prompted a resident to file a lawsuit. The developers, Material Capital Partners, had earlier this month met with the Irmo Planning Commission to discuss a vote on rezoning for the project. This request was denied, and a “revised plan” is now scheduled to be presented again to the commission, spurring controversy and legal action.
Resident Challenges Re-Presentation of Rejected Proposal
The resident involved in the lawsuit, Adam Raynor, has claimed that the decision to allow the developers to present their plan again is in violation of local ordinances and due process. The proposed development, which would be situated at the intersection of Dreher Shoals Road, Salem Church Road, and Muskrat Run, could potentially bring up to 550 single-family homes, townhomes, and various amenities to the area.
In order for the Water Walk project to move forward, the lands in question need to be rezoned. The developers’ proposal includes a request to change the zoning from general residential, general commercial, and fringe agriculture to mixed-use development.
Lawsuit Alleging Procedural Violation
Mr. Raynor has stated to the press that the town is breaking the law by allowing the developers to re-present the request, going against the town’s set procedure for a denied proposal, which is either to appeal the decision or bring it before the town’s council.
Raising concerns about the process, Raynor stated: “They are trying to make up their own process, when the process is already in the ordinances of state law. Clear as day. I’m kind of confused why they think they can make up their own process, and that’s what’s kind of feeding this whole lawsuit.”
Meeting to Review Revised Plan
The Irmo Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on September 9 to review the revised plan from the developers. As part of his legal action, Raynor has filed for a restraining order to block the commission from hearing the revised plan during the upcoming meeting.
Raynor further added, “It just comes down to them doing the right thing, I really shouldn’t be in this situation, where I’m determining the laws the way they are supposed to be. You have a lawyer and town administrator that’s doing their own thing.”
The intended goal, as stated by Raynor, is to halt the rezoning process until the court case is settled. He is pushing for a scenario with minimal waste of time and taxpayers’ money by not rehearing a case that has previously been denied.
The town of Irmo, when contacted for a comment regarding the lawsuit, declined to make a statement due to the ongoing litigation.
