Commission grants three‑year extension for Fort Evans townhome preliminary plan

The Berkeley County Planning Commission voted to grant a three‑year extension to the preliminary plan for Fort Evans, a proposed 32‑lot townhome development along Winchester Avenue.

Staff told the commission the developer, Doctor Acquisitions LLC (engineer Fox & Associates), requested the extension for file 2601‑026 and recommended approval with the condition that the developer begin construction before the new expiration or submit a new concept plan. Staff said the original approval dated 02/06/2023 would, if approved, be extended to 02/06/2029.

Developer representatives Steve Sionovich of Fox & Associates and Matt Monahan of DRB Group explained the request. Monahan said the extension was driven by market conditions and was intended to preserve the approved plan while the developer secures bids and initiates construction. “It’s really just to make sure we have time to get bids in and get the project up and running,” Monahan said.

Commissioners pressed whether a shorter extension could be granted. Monahan replied that partial starts could occur but that the three‑year window provides flexibility if market conditions slow and allows the plan to remain vested if a final plat is recorded. Staff clarified that recording a final plat is the most common means of vesting a project.

After discussion, Commissioner Sean Hardy moved to accept staff’s recommendation to grant the three‑year extension; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The approval includes the staff‑recommended contingency that if construction does not begin before the preliminary plan expires, the developer must submit a new concept plan. The commission did not change the approved layout or design during the extension vote.

The planning commission will monitor whether a final plat is recorded to vest the approval; no additional timeline was set at the meeting.