The North Augusta Planning Commission has issued a recommendation to City Council for a major modification to the Hammond's Ferry general development plan.
After a 5-1 vote, the commission accepted the modification with the condition that the buildings not exceed 90 feet in height rather than 120. The modification is to an adopted ordinance in 2010 and will include, among other things, a sports stadium to be the future home of the Augusta GreenJackets.
Commissioner Larry Watts was the only vote against the modification, and Commissioner Richard Fletcher had to recuse himself from the meeting.
Out of the 11 residents who spoke during the public hearing, only the final two voiced support for the project.
This was only the first of five steps for the modification, which will be the home of Project Jackson.
North Augusta City Council now has 30 days to accept, modify or deny the recommendation. From there, the Planning Commission will review the major subdivision phase concept; the next step will be for the City's planning department staff to review the final plat. Then the final site plan must be approved by either the Planning Commission or staff.
Among the residents to voice opposition was Wade Gassman.
Gassman, along with many others, voiced concerns about how the project would encroach on Brick Pond Park.
"We are so fortunate to visit these creatures in their home," he said. "It's almost like a reverse zoo. I think we should reconsider, and Brick Pond Park should be the centerpiece of riverfront development."
North Augusta City Administrator Todd Glover, along with Howard Kaufman, Hammond's Ferry's developer, said there are no plans to infringe on Brick Pond Park in any way.
"We poured our heart, soul and assets into creating those brick ponds," Kaufman said. "We appreciate and know how valuable they are to the community. Nothing we would ever do would harm those brick ponds. All proper precautions will be taken so that nothing going forward does harm to those brick ponds."
The City of North Augusta is waiting on the S.C. Supreme Court's decision in the case of Steve Donohue v. the City of North Augusta, North Augusta Mayor Lark Jones and the North Augusta City Council. The court heard oral arguments earlier this month and will make its decision in the coming months.
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