A mixed-used development planned for a site along the Savannah River near U.S. Highway 1 cleared the North Augusta Planning Commission recently and will go before the city council for approval next month.
Despite the efforts of many disgruntled residents of River North, planning commissioners unanimously approved plans by L.H. Simkins Jr., to develop 30 acres near the Fifth Street bridge. Simkins and his partners plan to build as many as 256 apartment units and about 40 single-family homes on property bordering River North.
The matter will go before the city council for consideration Feb. 4.
The proposed development, called Kingery Landing, is tied to a rezoning request by River North developer Carl Sanders. Planning commissioners approved Sanders' plans to develop 10 acres that would become part of that neighborhood.
Those plans call for about 15 additional single-family houses and some commercial uses in River North. The planned commercial and residential development will front River North Drive at U.S. 1, according to development plans filed with the city.
If approved by the city council, a proposed road through the River North neighborhood will connect Kingery Landing to River North Drive.
The Kingery Landing development stretches for about 2,000 feet along the riverfront and will include two parks and public connector trails to the city's Greeneway.
At least a dozen River North residents spoke in opposition to the development plans, though many more filled the municipal center auditorium.
Many argued that the proposed development would detract from the riverfront, increase traffic, lower property values, invite crime and potentially disturb wildlife.
River North resident Tonya Jeffers asked planning commissioners why North Augusta would permit apartments on its waterfront when Richmond and Columbia counties haven't. She said the development would detract from the look of the river and depreciate the value of the $400,000 to $1 million homes in River North.
"We bought into a lifestyle and we would like you guys to help us protect it," she said.
Baxley Syms, a fellow River North resident, said apartments would be an inappropriate use along the riverfront.
"To me it makes no sense. Why would North Augusta want to do this?" he said.
Planning commissioner Richard Fletcher said he sympathized with River North residents but felt a mixed-use community with apartments, shops and single-family residences was suited to the area.
"I believe a neighborhood is a mix of uses," he said.
Reach J. Scott Trubey at or scott.trubey@northaugustatoday.com.
