Cardinal Point Section 7 advanced to final plat; commissioners raise school bus routing questions

The Berkeley County Planning Commission voted to advance Cardinal Point Section 7 to the final plat stage after a staff presentation and questions about school bus routing.

Staff presented the preliminary plan as file number 2503-064. The developer is Panhandle Homes and the engineer is Fox and Associates. The project is located on the east side of Otero Lane within the Bridal Point development on the north side of Hammonds Mill Road in the Falling Waters District (map 10 parcel 104). The plan proposes 80 single-family attached villa lots on approximately 40 acres to be served by public water and sewer. Staff said no waivers or exceptions were requested and that County Engineer Doug Smith deemed the project compliant with the Subdivision Ordinance (02/2009) on May 13, 2025; staff recommended advancement to the final plat stage.

Mister Sianovich represented the project at the meeting. Commissioners asked about school bus pickup locations and whether buses would enter the community or pick up on U.S. 901; one commissioner said that if students must walk from remote lots to 901 the distance could be substantial for children. The project representative and staff said they would follow up: the representative said he would “speak with Alan tomorrow” and ask whether bus routes would use internal stops. There was no binding change to the plan or a condition recorded on bus routing; the transcript shows the commission requested follow-up rather than imposing a requirement.

A motion to advance the preliminary plan to the final plat stage was made by Mr. Bush and seconded by Mr. Goff; the presiding officer called for the ayes and the motion carried. Staff noted the developer will proceed under subdivision rules and return with final plat documents when ready.