Cottage Hill residents urge limits on McKenzie Estates subdivision over traffic and flood concerns

Multiple Cottage Hill residents told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 6 that the proposed McKenzie Estates subdivision would markedly increase traffic and could create public‑safety problems for the enclave, which has limited road access.

Georgia Brazil said the development could add as many as 800 cars across three phases and that Cottage Hill is largely surrounded by railroad tracks, leaving Highway 95A as the primary exit. She said the railroad frequently stops traffic for five to 20 minutes, and that school‑time congestion already causes backups in front of Jim Allen School. Linda Bain and Gary Beadle described repeated flooding at Mackenzie Road, standing water around retention ponds, wildlife encroachment and an existing bridge that floods during routine rains.

Beadle presented a contour map and photographs showing a drop from the road to a county retention pond and described standing water in the area for decades. Concerned residents asked the county and the developer to lower the planned home count, ensure positive stormwater outfalls, and add traffic controls to preserve emergency access and safe evacuation routes.

Commissioners listened to the testimony; the meeting record contains no formal zoning decision on McKenzie Estates at the Feb. 6 session. Residents asked staff to carefully review stormwater, drainage and emergency‑access plans as part of any development approval process.

No vote on McKenzie Estates occurred at the meeting; the item remains in the growth‑management and permitting process.