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Planning board denies Magnolia Hill amendment after residents cite repeated flooding and traffic concerns
Summary
The Bryan County Planning & Zoning Commission voted to deny a request to change a 5-acre Magnolia Hill parcel from 12 single-family lots to 32 townhomes after residents and staff raised concerns about stormwater, traffic and neighborhood compatibility. The denial will be forwarded to county commissioners for final action in June.
The Bryan County Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday denied an amendment to the Magnolia Hill plan development that would have replaced 12 single-family lots with 32 townhomes on a 5-acre parcel along Belfast River Road.
Staff told the commission the amendment met density and design standards and that the developer’s traffic design analysis estimated 212 vehicle trips per day. But dozens of nearby residents urged the commission to reject the change, citing chronic flooding, inadequate stormwater infrastructure and safety concerns from adding another access onto Belfast River Road.
“Adding another neighborhood with 32 homes would create another entrance and exit off Belfast River Road where there are already several in a short span,” said resident Stephen Burton, who described previous roadway crashes and a retention pond failure last August that flooded his neighborhood and blocked access. Resident Scott Huber said his community polled homeowners and found roughly 90% opposed.
Engineer William Cunningham, representing the applicant, said the traffic design analysis was approved by county engineering and that the proposed town homes would meet current county standards. He also said the project would include on-site stormwater measures and recreational amenities required by the unified development ordinance.
Commissioners weighed staff recommendations that would have required larger buffers and on-site active recreation space, but ultimately voted to deny the amendment. The commission noted the project’s potential to worsen localized flooding and the community’s persistent stormwater-management concerns. The denial is advisory; the amendment will be transmitted to the Bryan County Board of Commissioners, with a second-reading and final consideration scheduled for June 9.
Residents were advised to watch county notices and mailed hearing notices for the commissioners’ meeting. The commission said it would preserve the record of resident testimony for the county decision-makers.
