Despite RiverNorth residents attempt to delay a second reading of the Gardner's Landing development, the ordinance passed 5-2 at city council Monday.
In opposition of the ordinance were councilman Ken McDowell and councilwoman Carolyn Baggott.
Both McDowell and Baggott agreed that changes needed to be made to the ordinance prior to passing it on second reading to make sure the entrance to the neighborhood is of appropriate width.
RiverNorth residents and representatives of Cranston Engineering Group, P.C., who are in charge of the project, argued through the first and second reading about using RiverNorth Drive as the only entrance into Gardner's Landing.
"I'm disappointed this (ordinance) has come to us at all in this condition," Baggott said. "Everything is supposed to be worked out beforehand with the planning commission and developers all agreeing and getting their ducks in a row."
Mayor Lark Jones asked council to consider the project proposal itself and not to worry about whether the proposed entrance to Gardner's Landing can handle the extra traffic flow. He said the entrance problem would have to be resolved at a later point when site development plans have to be approved prior to construction.
Developers stated in their plans that they expect traffic volume to increase by 2,160 two-way trips daily.
Gardner's Landing is set to be built on about 29.46 acres along the Savannah River to the side of the RiverNorth subdivision off Highway 1. It will be able to accommodate 48 to 65 single-family units and 246 apartments as designed. The riverfront will have walking trails open to the public.
Developers say they would like to have the apartments completed and operating by fall 2011, followed by construction of the single-family units.
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
