The North Augusta city council Monday will deliberate on a controversial plan to develop a mixed-use community with apartments along the Savannah River.
Developers are seeking approval of Kingery Landing, a proposed 30-acre mixed-use community of up to 256 apartments and about 40 houses between the River North neighborhood and the U.S. Highway 1 bridge.
The development plan is tied to a rezoning request by the developer of River North, who seeks to develop about 10 additional acres.
The River North plans include up to 15 houses, commercial uses and a new road to connect River North Drive to the landlocked Kingery Landing tract.
The city's planning commission gave a positive recommendation to the development at its December meeting.
River North resident Baxley Syms says he doesn't see the sense in building a mixed-use community with apartments along the Savannah River.
"It's bad to say, but typically crime rates are higher around apartment complexes and all of us (in River North) have invested many hundreds of thousands of dollars in our property," he said. "It being riverfront, it's very expensive, and now they're going to throw an apartment complex right next to us. I'm opposed to that."
Syms and many other residents of River North have said they will be present at the council meeting to voice their objections.
Ben Graves, a representative of Johnson Development Associates Inc., the company that will build and manage the apartments, has said there is a market for "high-end" rental units for young professionals. He said the complex will feature luxurious amenities, a clubhouse and gym and public access trails to the city's Greeneway.
He has rejected claims by River North residents that the development will attract a criminal element or reduce property values.
Syms said he is not opposed to development, but would prefer to see the community be comprised solely of privately-owned homes.
"I'm all for development, I just think it needs the right kind of development," he said. "I just don't feel an apartment complex is suitable down there. But more houses or another type development, sure."
The development plan will come before the council for its first reading at 7 p.m. at the municipal center at 400 E. Buena Vista Ave. The approval of three readings of the development plan is required for final passage, according to city code.
Reach J. Scott Trubey at scott.trubey@northaugustatoday.com.
for the record, the concerned residents of the River North Subdivision do NOT oppose the apartments "because they will attract a criminal element." Two detailed letters of opposition have been given to the mayor and the city coucil detailing exactly why the residents oppose the apartments. I suggest Mr. Trubey get his "facts" from the source before reporting gossip.