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Commission recommends approval of Chamberlain Road senior-living rezoning with fence condition
Summary
The commission voted to recommend rezoning two parcels on Chamberlain Road to S-1 (special) for a proposed senior-living community, subject to a condition requiring an eight-foot fence along the southern buffer.
The Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 4 voted to recommend approval of a rezoning (RZ25-0905) that would rezone two parcels on Chamberlain Road from M-1 and RA to S-1 (special) for a proposed senior-living community with independent living, assisted living and memory-care units.
Will (presenting staff) described the project as a campus with a roughly 9,000-square-foot main building containing assisted living and memory care, plus about 80 cottage units; the developer proposed 30-foot structural buffers around the site and staff recommended approval provided the southern buffer adjacent to Mill Branch include an upgraded eight-foot fence for better screening. “Again, from a future land use standpoint, it makes sense,” Will said, noting the site’s proximity to commercial uses and the county hospital.
Applicant Will Creekmore, representing Manor Lake Development, told commissioners the company is locally owned and has built similar communities across Georgia. Creekmore said the development would include raised garden beds, a clubhouse and on-site activities and that many residents do not drive; he described transportation and service plans including a community bus to reduce vehicle trips. “We opened our first facility. And now, today, we're a family owned operation, and we're locally owned and operated,” he said.
Several speakers supported the rezoning. Joanne Murdock said senior communities typically generate less traffic than conventional housing and urged approval. Resident Ben Waterlow (sp) told commissioners he lived nearby and raised traffic concerns but said the project would be useful once planned road improvements are completed; staff noted earth-moving on Branch Springs Parkway is expected to begin in early 2026.
The commission moved to recommend approval with the staff condition requiring an eight-foot fence on the southern buffer; that recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action on Sept. 16.
