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Council approves first reading to annex 4.7-acre Bacon's Bridge Road parcel despite resident traffic concerns
Summary
The council approved reading of a petition to annex roughly 4.7 acres on Bacon's Bridge Road and Crestwood Drive and move toward multifamily zoning after public comment raised traffic and safety worries.
The Town Council approved the first reading of a petition to annex approximately 4.7 acres located at Bacon's Bridge Road and Crestwood Drive and to zone the property for multifamily residential use following annexation.
Why it matters: the parcel, proposed for multifamily development by Treat and Woodman LLC, sits adjacent to the Sawmill Branch Trail and a heavily traveled section of Bacon's Bridge Road. Neighbors said multifamily units would increase traffic and affect safety for existing residents.
Public comment: Bert Fershner, who lives in the nearby Bear and Engrace subdivision, said he supports annexation in principle but opposed rezoning to multifamily. "But the rezoning is my concern," Fershner said, noting an earlier proposal for 30 townhomes on less than 5 acres. A councilwoman representing the area said constituents reported accidents and difficulty exiting onto Bacon's Bridge and that she would vote against the petition as presented.
Council discussion and votes: Councilman Waring and other members supported the reading, citing housing affordability and limited developable land. Waring said the town has strong guidelines for floodplain and lot-size issues and argued that proposed unit counts would be constrained by lot size. Members noted access and permitting issues — developers would need approval from the county and SCDOT to gain access from the highway — which could shape the final project.
The council voted to approve the petition reading by voice vote; one council member recorded a "nay." The planning commission had recommended annexation with GR2 (general residential, lower density) zoning at its May 19 meeting; the applicant requested MFR (multifamily residential). The planning and development committee provided no recommendation on June 9.
Next steps: the annexation will advance in the council's review process; staff and the developer must address access, floodplain and permitting with county and state agencies before final zoning and development approvals.
