High St. housing development moving forward after Augusta supervisor vote
The property is owned by EJ'S LLC. The current project documents show that 20 homes are being developed on the land in two cul-de-sacs. The development raised questions with the supervisors. Supervisor Carolyn Bragg said she's individually spoken to many of the project's neighbors and heard concerns from everyone she's spoken to.
The property is zoned single-family residential, allowing for development. The project was not up for approval by the board, but instead up for a proffer consideration. Previously, the project's minimum square foot requirement for a single-family dwelling was 1,800. On July 23, the board was considering a reduction to 1,400 square feet per dwelling.
'This property was rezoned 22 years ago,' said Bragg. 'So, by right, it can be built on.'
Several supervisors noted the by-right development could bring 26 homes to the property, rather than the currently expected 20.
At the public hearing last month, several residents of the area raised concerns over an increase in traffic and having less land available to absorb water when it rains. The increased potential for flooding was a common complaint with the project. Bragg attempted to address the complaint, but the item up for a vote on July 23 was solely the minimum dwelling size.
'Everyone is concerned about the water and the runoff,' Bragg said. 'When you're building in Stuarts Draft and you say, Stuarts Draft construction, your third word will always be water because we have to do something with it. Everyone, to a person, is concerned about that. Then lastly, everyone is concerned about traffic, to a person. Are there going to be changes? Absolutely. Are you going to see more traffic? Absolutely, going down High Street to try to get to 608, where, in the evenings, they park on both sides, that's an issue. But that's going to be the same issue, whether it's 1,400 square feet or 1,800 square feet.'
Both Augusta County staff and the Augusta County Planning Commission recommended approval of the project.
'Staff does not find any concerns with the request but do note that there are significant drainage issues occurring along Wayne Avenue to the south of the property,' reads the staff report. 'Therefore, any development of the property should utilize stormwater management practices that mitigate the furtherance of localized flooding.'
Despite the concerns, the project moved forward on July 23 as the supervisors approved the proffer amendment in a 6-1 vote, with Supervisor Michael Shull voting against.
'There are times that decisions are brought before this board that are just simply not black and white,' Bragg said. 'Sometimes there's a lot more involved in it than meets the eye. This is one of those.'
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Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: High St. housing development moving forward after Augusta supervisor vote
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