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Commission recommends rezoning for 75‑lot PRD off Baker Place after heated public comment on traffic and wetlands
Summary
By a 3–1 vote the Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning to create a 75‑lot planned residential development off Baker Place Road; residents testified about traffic, wetlands, blind curves and loss of tree buffers while the applicant and staff said the plan meets the future land‑use intent with connectivity benefits.
The Columbia County Planning Commission on May 7 recommended approval of RZ26‑05‑04, a rezoning from residential agricultural to planned residential development (PRD) for approximately 54.8 acres accessed off Baker Place Road. The recommendation passed by voice vote, recorded as 3–1 in favor.
Staff member Will presented the proposal as an extension of surrounding medium‑density residential development and said the plan would create about 75 single‑family lots with lot sizes roughly 8,400 square feet and typical PRD setbacks. Staff noted topographic constraints on portions of the site and said engineering will address traffic and access matters; staff revised an earlier condition so engineering services will pursue required turn‑lane work rather than placing the condition on the developer alone.
Developer Bert Pollard said the new section is intended to match existing nearby neighborhoods and emphasized that many lots will be larger than adjacent phases.
More than a dozen residents testified during public comment, focused primarily on traffic safety and environmental concerns. Speakers said the proposed new access would route substantial construction and daily traffic through narrow, hilly Dublin Loop and Killari streets, raising safety concerns for children and a nearby school bus stop. Ashley Keller, who presented a petition she said had 234 signatures, asked the commission to deny the rezoning as proposed and require the developer to identify an alternative access that would not route traffic through established residential streets.
“Adding these large vehicles will cause serious safety concerns for our community,” Keller said. Amanda Canfield said she was promised the land behind her home would not be developed and described wetlands and wildlife on the site; David Norwood and others emphasized potential noise and loss of tree buffers. Several residents urged additional environmental study and traffic analysis.
A few commenters and one commissioner suggested alternative development approaches such as a mixed‑use town center or different access points to reduce impacts; speaker Mike Mills urged exploring a town‑center model to add services and reduce long‑term traffic impacts.
After discussion about traffic mitigation, connectivity and prior commitments to turn‑lane work, a motion to recommend approval of RZ26‑05‑04 passed 3–1. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.
Next steps: The Board of Commissioners will consider the rezoning at its scheduled hearing; staff and engineering services will continue work on traffic and access conditions.
