North Augusta council annexes 67.45-acre Hammond Pond Road parcel over residents' tree and traffic concerns

North Augusta, S.C. — The North Augusta City Council on Nov. 17 approved the second-reading annexation of about 67.45 acres along Hammond Pond Road, moving the property into city jurisdiction despite public concerns about tree clearing and traffic.

The council voted 4–2 to adopt Ordinance 2025-28, which accepts a petition from the landowner, William F. Hammond, to bring the acreage into the city. Mayor Britton S. Williams said annexation gives the city greater control over building standards and tax collection while detailed development decisions will be decided later through the planning department’s major site-plan review and the planning commission.

“The annexation only determines whether that land comes into the city as R‑14,” Williams said. “All the traffic analysis, stormwater, engineering and specific site details come through our planning department and planning commission.”

Developer representative Will Caicus, identifying himself as representing the property owner, told council the plan calls for 75‑foot‑wide lots (roughly 15,000 square feet) under R‑14 zoning, about 22 acres of green space (more than 30 percent of the site), and local builders’ initial estimates of home footprints around 3,500 square feet with starting prices he described in the “mid‑$550,000s.”

“I think it’ll be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods,” Caicus said, adding that several local builders had expressed interest.

Several residents urged caution. Sharon Melton, who lives near the parcel, said she was not opposed to development in principle but demanded clearer, enforceable assurances regarding tree preservation, protection of Pretty Run Creek, and infrastructure readiness.

“We need an overview document that can be submitted to all the people in North Augusta and be abided by the developer,” Melton said, calling for timelines and commitments on infrastructure before approvals.

Dylan Miller, a neighborhood resident, said annexation made practical sense because city services are likely to respond to incidents in the area even if the land remained in the county; he also said some trees on the parcel had already been downed by storm damage.

Council discussion split along familiar lines. Councilwoman Pat Carpenter and other members who supported annexation emphasized the city’s ability to set higher standards than county rules and to collect tax revenue for services. Councilman David Buck said he would vote no, citing existing traffic difficulties at Hammond Pond Road and uncertainty about connectivity and long‑term impacts. Another council member urged a comprehensive review of remaining green space and recommended stronger restrictions on clear‑cutting for future developments.

Mayor Williams told residents that wastewater capacity was not an issue for this specific project and reiterated that site‑specific issues such as road connections and traffic calming measures would be addressed during the major site‑plan and traffic‑study process.

With the annexation approved, the developer must submit a major site plan to the city’s planning department. That plan will be reviewed by staff in stormwater, engineering and other departments, and ultimately considered by the planning commission, which the mayor said is the body that approves the major site plan.