Commission advances Sand Hill planned‑development text amendment tied to county water and sewer

The Effingham County board voted Nov. 4 to approve a text amendment to a planned‑development (PDR) for the Hindley/Sand Hill tract that explicitly incorporates options for public water and sewer service.

Josh Yellen, representing Greenland Development, and project team members told the board the change is meant to preserve two development tracks: one that relies on private wells and septic and a second that allows the development to connect to county water and sewer if the county extends service. Yellen said the revised PDR text and accompanying site plans are substantially similar to previously approved plans but updated to reflect the county’s desire to extend utilities to the site.

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the value of public utilities. “I would much rather service it with county water and sewer,” one commissioner said, citing prior outages on private wells during storms. Supporters argued the public‑service option improves reliability and environmental performance; staff noted cost‑recovery mechanisms will cover pipe extension costs and the developer is expected to cover much of the initial pipe extension.

Opponents and some commissioners raised concerns about added density. One commissioner said the utility option could add roughly 80 houses to the original plan; the applicant and staff explained that cost‑recovery fees from development would defray the extension expense and that turnaround rules on green‑space credits could mean the revised plan still meets or exceeds the county’s open‑space standards.

The board approved the upgraded PD text amendment by motion; commissioners said a development agreement and final site plans will return to the board for formal authorization. The board also tabled preliminary plats tied to the PDR to the Nov. 18 meeting so the developer can provide revised plats and a development agreement.

What’s next: The developer indicated it will return with a development agreement and revised plats; the board asked that final plats and the development agreement be ready for the next meeting. Staff listed conditions tied to buffer standards, stormwater compliance and minimum home sizes under the proposed PDR text.

Authorities and conditions cited during discussion included the Effingham County water‑resource and stormwater ordinances and the county’s PDR standards; staff said cost‑recovery fees will be applied to pipe‑extension work.