The North Augusta Planning Commission will have its turn Thursday to look at Project Jackson.
Set as the only application on the agenda, the commission will take a request for a major modification to the general development plan for Hammond's Ferry. A recommendation to City Council is required of the commission.
"The modification affects the entire development, although much of the application does revolve around Phase B," Director of Planning Scott Sterling said, noting that Phase B includes the Riverfront Center, Project Jackson, Ballpark at the Village and more.
"This is the first step in the planning process laid out in the Hammond's Ferry Planned Development Ordinance. Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing and listen to public input on the request. A recommendation is expected from the Commission to be forwarded to City Council. Adoption of the major modification to the general development plan will be done by ordinance after three readings by City Council. No development approvals will be granted Thursday, nor will any individual use be approved for construction as a result of the action by City Council."
According to the meeting's agenda, Riverfront Park is located adjacent to the Riverfront Plaza/Ballpark Village consisting of an area of approximately 1.5 acres. The park will be a part of the Greeneway's network and will be used in conjunction with the Riverfront Plaza and Ballpark Village to hold public events such as musical entertainment, movies in the park and other recreational activities. The location also can play host to larger City events such as the Jack-o-Lantern Jubilee. Amenities will include an entertainment pavilion, a boathouse to facilitate needs of rowers and small crafts and docking facilities for boaters during the day.
Project Jackson is a proposed 25-acre development consisting of a hotel, stores and a baseball stadium for the Augusta GreenJackets that would be located between The River Club and Hammond's Ferry neighborhoods.
The Supreme Court of South Carolina heard oral arguments in Steve Donohue v. the City of North Augusta, Mayor Lark Jones and the North Augusta City Council. The justices focused heavily on whether the City violated the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. A ruling is expected to be reached some time this summer.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chamber of the North Augusta Municipal Building on the third floor.
Scott Rodgers is the news editor at The North Augusta Star and has been with the paper since 2013. Follow him on Twitter @TheScottRodgers.