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What is the status of the neighborhood development on Mullikin Road?

 

As you may know, in June, Columbia County approved the concept plan for 51 luxury homes on 50 of the 100 acres of our land, in keeping with existing R-1 zoning and the County’s Vision 2035 policy document designating all this land for single-family homes on large lots.  Our engineers are now completing the final design work, and we plan to solicit infrastructure bids at year-end.  Ideally, we’ll begin selling lots at the beginning of 2023, depending on the economy and what the Fed does in November.

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How will this affect sewer, water, traffic, etc.?

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 This is a very important question.  Before approving the concept plans, Columbia County worked closely with the engineering team to ensure the existing sewer and water systems could indeed support the intended growth. Testing showed the lift station has adequate capacity for the additional flow. However, we will be upgrading a section of the gravity sewer system as a part of the development.

                               

As for traffic concerns on Mullikin Road, we are leaving 50% of this land undeveloped even though the County’s Vision 2035 policy document designates all 100+ acres for housing development. We are building our family home at the end of Mullikin Road, so this is a personal concern for us as well. 

 

Why is such a large portion of the land being left undeveloped and undisturbed?  

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Because we are homeowners and not developers, profit is not a driving concern. We’ve long dreamed of retiring to the mountains of north Georgia but actually prefer the CSRA, where we have deep family ties. We purchased the gorgeous woodlands along Mullikin Road, which are reminiscent of mountain forests, as a place to build our forever home. We love nature and are applying to place a federal conservation easement on 50 acres of the land, permanently safeguarding it against additional construction, traffic, and other disturbances. We are pleased that the river and wetlands side of the property will remain undeveloped as will most of the land along the Sumter Landing side. The part of the land that will be developed will become a premier neighborhood of million-dollar homes, which will increase the property values of the surrounding homes. 

 

What is this rezoning request for?

 

After receiving County approval for the neighborhood, we began finalizing the neighborhood amenities, including a clubhouse and pickleball courts.  Because there exists no zoning consideration for a neighborhood clubhouse, it was suggested in talks with the County planning department that a small piece of land be carved out and assigned a special S1 zoning to accommodate the neighborhood clubhouse. We like the S1 zoning suggestion as it allows the County to require the neighborhood HOA to follow predetermined rules, such as keeping all music inside of the building so as not to disturb the neighbors. As the closest neighbors to the clubhouse, our family highly approves of this rezoning suggestion.    

 

What will the neighborhood clubhouse amenity look like?

 

We are working with a local architect and engineer and have a few concept ideas, but none are finalized.  We intend to preserve the natural landscape as much as possible. Timber Creek will be developed as a conservation-focused neighborhood, and the clubhouse will be designed to blend in with the surrounding forested area.  Landscaping will highlight the native flora and be welcoming to the local fauna.