Board approves Willow Furnace Estates preliminary plat; developer to meet lot and amenity conditions

The Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary plat for Willow Furnace Estates, a proposed 203‑lot single‑family subdivision on Bluejay Road, after staff confirmed the project meets R‑5 requirements and exceeds the district’s open‑space threshold.

Chelsea Furnall, planning manager, told the board the parcel had been rezoned at the February 18 meeting and that the developer proposes 203 single‑family detached units serviced by county water and sewer. Furnall said the development would provide 29.23% open space (above the R‑5 threshold presented in staff materials), two parking spaces per unit and additional amenity areas; GIS has approved the subdivision name Willow Furnace Estates. Furnall reviewed the developer’s minimum heated area commitments: 2,400 square feet for certain 75‑foot lots adjacent to Emerald Plantation, 2,000 square feet for the remaining 75‑foot lots, and 1,600 square feet for 55‑foot lots. She said staff recommended approval with stipulations including fence types adjacent to neighbors and that amenities must begin after 50% of certificates of occupancy are issued.

John Giordano of Thomas & Hutton, representing the applicant, addressed neighbors’ concerns about clearing and buffer disturbance. He said geotechnical field work used an existing haul road and that code enforcement had inspected; the team will avoid additional clearing in buffer areas and will not use haul roads once permanent construction access is established.

A motion to approve the preliminary plat carried with no recorded opposition.

Ending: The approval included staff conditions on lot sizes, fencing and timing of amenity construction; staff and the applicant said they will mark buffer lines and avoid further disturbance before formal construction access is in place.