Planning panel approves Lakes at Black Creek sketch plat despite residents' flood, septic concerns

Planning and zoning commissioners on June 17 approved a sketch plat for a 144‑lot Phase 2 of the Lakes at Black Creek subdivision in northern Bryan County, with a staff condition that the developer complete a detailed flood study and address stormwater and floodplain issues before civil construction permits are issued.

The sketch plat, presented by county planning staff, would bring the development’s total from 353 lots originally approved in 2010 down to 263 lots across phases 1 and 2 after a previously planned Phase 3 was removed. Staff said the plan meets Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) standards for density and lot size and provides required recreation areas, open space and 50‑foot buffers where applicable.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment in which residents cited repeated flooding, septic problems, concerns about groundwater and wells, and the condition of Page Road, the unpaved access road serving parts of the project. “When we have any type of heavy rains, my entire property floods,” said Dawn Poe, who identified her…