Council approves annexation, master‑plan zoning for Park Point Village expansion with conditions on Leach Road access

Council voted May 27 to accept the Planning Commission recommendation and approved first readings of ordinances to annex and rezone approximately 108.9 acres at 1108 Leach Road for an expansion of the Park Point Village retirement community (petitioner: ACTS Retirement Life Communities, Inc.).

Planning staff described the master plan: the expansion (referred to as Park Point Village Phase 2) envisions 41 duplex cottage units (82 dwellings), 147 independent‑living apartment units across up to five buildings and a 17,500‑square‑foot clubhouse, delivered in two phases (Phase 2A includes 41 duplex cottages, one independent‑living building with 51 units and clubhouse; Phase 2B would add up to four independent‑living buildings). Staff said the expansion will provide amenity areas, walking trails, pickleball/tennis courts and will meet required buffers; the site will be served by Wildcat Creek pump station, which is scheduled for upgrades.

Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval with a condition that the Leach Road access be revised to function similarly to the existing York Highway gated/policed entrance (i.e., a manned full access). Traffic review raised several issues: neighbors and Park Point residents expressed concern about traffic on York Highway and requested a traffic signal at the main entrance; SCDOT stated current traffic counts did not warrant a new signal but staff said opening the Leach Road access as a full access would likely reduce demand at the main entrance and could change signal need. A TIA and signal‑warrant analysis are expected as the project advances.

The council motion accepting the Planning Commission recommendation also included direction to add ordinance language allowing the Leach Road access to be implemented or delayed based on the TIA and the timing of road widenings; the council motion carried. Staff added a caveat in the terms that civil construction plan approval for the project will not be issued until the city is reasonably sure required Wildcat Creek pump station upgrades are completed and the city issues willingness/capability to serve.

Staff noted a parking deficit of 37 spaces in the plan (driven by a reduced parking assumption of 1.2 spaces per independent‑living unit versus the ordinance requirement of 1.5 spaces per unit); the duplex cottages meet the two‑spaces‑per‑unit requirement. A TIA recommended an eastbound left‑turn lane into the site with about 100 feet of storage will be required before certificates of occupancy are issued for cottage and independent‑living units.

What’s next: Council approved first readings of the annexation and MPR (master planned residential) zoning ordinance; the project must complete TIA revisions, provide required traffic and access mitigation, demonstrate the city’s willingness and capability to serve tied to pump‑station upgrades, and complete major site/civil plan review before construction and occupancy.