West Columbia Residents Raise Safety Concerns Over Proposed Housing Development

West Columbia Residents Voice Concerns Over New Housing Development

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — It’s been a little over a month since the buzz about a new housing development began stirring discussions among residents in West Columbia. On Monday night, a crowded planning commission meeting provided a platform for concerns to be aired regarding the proposal to build 55 homes. Each home is expected to feature three to four parking spaces and is projected to be priced between $225,000 and $300,000.

As the meeting unfolded, the tension was palpable as resident after resident took to the podium to share their thoughts. One voice resonated with the crowd saying, “One word, safety.” This comment echoed the anxiety felt by many about potential traffic increases and safety hazards that might come with the new development.

Shift From Townhomes to Single-Family Homes

This proposal is a shift from an earlier plan that called for a 90-unit townhome complex. Now, the developers are seeking to rezone the area to accommodate a smaller community of 55 single-family homes while also retaining a small portion of land specifically for a future cell phone tower. Chad Rast, the vice president of O’Cain Construction Company, explained that the only way to maintain compliance with their land contract was through a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a concept that allows for several uses of land, aiming for flexibility and efficiency.

However, not everyone is on board with the idea. “When they just ask them why are you trying to bring this in, they had no rationale for it,” commented resident Diane Conner, expressing frustration over the lack of a density study or marketing assessment that typically accompanies such proposals.

Residents Weigh In

The planning commission meeting saw a stream of residents addressing their concerns about the new development off of Comanchee Trail. One resident pointed out that, while they aren’t opposed to reasonable development, it still doesn’t fully make sense to have another housing project when there are already at least three other developments in the vicinity.

Malinda Rutledge Carlisle, another resident, remained hopeful, stating, “I believe we were heard. I truly hopefully, there will be some good outcomes.” The collective sentiment reflects a desire for community input to genuinely influence decisions being made.

Balancing Development and Community Needs

Planning commission chair Gary Prince highlighted the options available, urging residents to consider the potential outcomes: “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 question struck a chord, suggesting that there could be some benefits in having the project structured under the PUD guidelines.

Mayor Tem Miles echoed these sentiments, advocating the PUD plan as a way for the city to have a greater say in the nature of the development. “I very much like the idea of doing it as a PUD if we’re going to do it 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,” he commented.

What’s Next?

The planning commission ultimately decided to recommend the development to the city council. While this step marks progress, two readings at the city council will be necessary for the proposal to be officially accepted.

The process may feel slow, but for West Columbia residents, it’s crucial to feel heard and be part of decisions that shape their community. As discussions continue, all eyes will be on the council’s decisions and how the community’s voice will influence the future of Comanchee Trail.