Lancaster commission rejects multifamily plans

The Lancaster County Planning Commission voted 5-2 Tuesday to reject a developer’s preliminary plans to build 313 apartments on 39 acres east of Calvin Hall Road in Indian Land.

Commission members were concerned about the project’s proposed ingress and egress points from S.C. Highway 160, citing traffic concerns and safety issues, said Planner Alex Moore.

The developer, Two Capital Partners of Atlanta, has the option of appealing the commission’s decision or submitting new plans for the project, Moore said.

The County Council rezoned the property last year for multifamily use, which allows 8 units per acre. The developer proposed 7.97 units per acre.

The planning staff had recommended approval of the plans, saying the density was comparable to similar projects in the area.

The staff noted, however, that some local residents had expressed concerns over the project’s impact on local traffic and school overcrowding. But, the staff said, the developer had agreed to install a traffic signal at the highway’s intersection with Calvin Hall Road. In addition, the county’s recent passing of a school bond referendum is expected to help relieve overcrowding with the addition of new schools in the area.