Glynn County panel approves rezoning for Taylors Drive residential concept amid neighbor flooding concerns

The Glynn County Planning Commission voted 4–0 on Aug. 27 to approve ZM2416, a rezoning that will allow a proposed residential development on parcels along Taylors Drive previously zoned highway commercial and conservation preservation. Planning Manager Stephanie Leaf said the General Residential (GR) district allows up to 10 units per acre, but the applicant’s conceptual plan shows 28 units—about 1 unit per acre—with roughly nine acres of marshland to remain preserved.

The decision follows a staff presentation by Stephanie Leaf and engineering testimony from Pete Schoenauer of Tidewater Engineering, who said the project shifted from a previously approved RV-park concept because "we can't get the sewer is too far away. It's not cost effective." Schoenauer told commissioners the lower density is driven by on-site septic constraints and that he is coordinating with Glynn County Environmental Health on system design.

Neighbors used the public hearing to raise drainage and septic concerns. Stacy Levodusky, who said she lives at 152 Taylors Drive, told the commission her yard is "ankle deep in water" and asked whether added impervious surface and construction runoff could make neighboring properties unusable. Robert Gamble, a resident of 134 Taylors Drive, said his neighborhood is already saturated and asked how close the proposed entrance would be to Highway 303 and what housing types would be built.

Schoenauer responded that the site’s wastewater challenges make on-site septic the practical route because connecting to sewer would require crossing railroad tracks and installing roughly 2,000 feet of infrastructure. He described the intent to route onsite runoff toward the adjacent marsh and South Brunswick River and said, "when I get to the nuts and bolts of the design" he would use drainage features (pipes, retention) so the development does not increase runoff to neighboring lots. He also said current soil studies show upland areas suitable for conventional systems and that the concept limits units to two-bedroom homes consistent with septic capacity (he described using about one tank per two units at this stage of design).

Commissioners discussed site elevation, proximity to I‑95 and marsh delineations; one commissioner noted that recent wetland delineations changed an on-site wetland finger and that any wetland impacts would be minimized and were estimated to be less than one-tenth of an acre. After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval "as presented," another seconded, the chair closed the public hearing, and the motion passed 4–0.

Next steps include continued environmental-health review of septic design, any necessary wetlands permitting and final site-plan review and permitting before construction. The rezoning approval allows the land to be developed under the GR zoning standards but does not itself authorize building permits, septic permits or wetland impacts.