At the March 1 Liberty County commissioners’ meeting, the board approved the rezoning of 230 acres east of I-95 off Islands Highway and Dorchester Village Road from agricultural to business and industrial commercial use.
The petitioner, the Foram Group, wants to develop the land for warehouse and industrial use similar to Tradeport East and also some small businesses facing Islands Highway. This is the same parcel of land recently in the headlines as a proposed casino site in Midway.
Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission Director Jeff Ricketson said portions of Dorchester Village Road would be relocated for the project. The development would have 2 million square feet of industrial space. During the public hearing, those opposed to the development spoke to the board.
Ashley Mosier was one of two people who addressed the board on behalf of several homeowners in the Dorchester Village area. She asked why an industrial complex was needed in that area when Tradeport East is right across the road and still has space to grow.
“It’s not all been utilized,” she said about Tradeport East. “There is still a wealth of property and space over there that can be utilized for more building and warehousing.”
Mosier added that the development would affect the traffic for everyone living in the east end of the county. She said the area would be subject to more water run-off and said they’ve already started to see that after the development of the Hooker Furniture Company, which recently opened.
“We have more flooding that occurred last spring that was not potentially seen before,” she said. “So, there is standing water in the ditches now on both sides of Islands Highway and also on Dorchester Village Road.”
She also stated the county would be infringing on land that they promised to protect in their five-year comprehensive plan. “You’ve also said that you would promote sustainable and efficient commercial development that reuses existing buildings. I am only talking about Tradeport East. I am not talking about the Midway Industrial Complex and what is used there and what has been used there or facilitated.”
She said instead of approving the rezoning, companies should explore options in the current industrial complexes and develop projects there.
Scott Belford also addressed the board, saying he had concerns about the displaced water that would run directly into property he owns as well as affect everyone in the Trade Hill community. He asked if the proposed 9-acre retention pond would be sufficient.
“When your retention ponds overflow, that water races downhill through our property, backing up all the residents at Trade Hill,” he said. “We have expended in excess of six figures to do the work of the county after requesting the services of the county engineer to alleviate the flooding not only off Trade Hill Road but also along Dorchester Village Road. We are suffering, despite the statement from the LCPC appraisal, real property damages that we are quantifying from the runoff not being managed from the industrial warehouses.”
He said the county should incentivize an agriculturally based business for that area instead of developing more warehouses.
Commissioner Justin Frasier said he didn’t think the proposed industrial development was the best fit for the land, especially next to the I-95 corridor. Commissioner Marion Stevens said they need to slow down and look at the current infrastructure. He said growth is outrunning infrastructure.
The vote was 4-3 with Frasier, Stevens and Maxie Jones opposing the measure.
The board also approved a rezoning petition for property on the west side of the I-95 corridor near the current gas station, McDonald’s and the Smoking Pig Restaurant. The proposed use will be a truck terminal.
The board approved the low-income household water assistance program agreement so county residents will be eligible for the assistance if they qualify.
The board approved the memorandum of understanding agreement between Savannah Technical College and the County EMS. The agreement allows for potential EMT and paramedic training at Savannah Tech while also obtaining field training via the county’s EMS station.
Mr. Jared Harriman and Ms. Daisy Clay were recognized by the board for their work cleaning up the Cay Creek Bridge as part of a 4-H project. Harriman and Clay sandblasted the graffiti areas of the bridge, in addition to giving it some fresh paint.