CAMDEN, S.C. (WIS) – It’s been a back-and-forth battle in Camden when it comes to a housing development on a historic equine training center.
On Monday night, the planning commission approved rezoning some of the land to help scale back housing developments. The Camden Training Center property owner has been trying to bring a major housing project to the land for years, but neighbors remain concerned.
The city of Camden initiated this new rezoning request to change 61 acres of the Camden training center from R-15 to R-E. That change would lower the maximum number of houses that could be built on the property from 152 to 45.
The property owner, Stuart Grant, initially planned to build around 800 homes but reduced it to 153 lots after several neighbors opposed the project. Last year, that plan was denied by the planning commission.
Joseph Berry, Grant’s attorney, said his client was not consulted about the new rezoning request that the city initiated.
“Here we are now, once again, the city is taking action that is vindictive, and it targets and it seeks to punish my client,” he said.
Grant has filed federal and state lawsuits stating several claims, including that leaders unlawfully denied his project.
Director of Planning and Zoning Shawn Putnam said it is unknown what effect the rezoning request will have on the pending lawsuit.
“If the city wants to control the future of this property so badly, then it needs to do the right thing and pay and pay fair market value for it, and don’t use the power of zoning to appropriate property for public use,” Berry said.
The rezoning request comes at a time when the city and county are updating their comprehensive plans to address rapid residential growth. Planning Commission Chairman Johnny Deal says the rezoning decision was made with neighbors in mind.
“What we’re trying to do is appease our public; our citizens are saying they want larger lot sizes with less housing,” he said.
It’s a decision some residents support.
“Restricting the density of development is critical in maintaining the unique ambiance of Camden,” one resident said during the meeting.
Another neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous said she would rather see no building in the area. She said she’s concerned that the current infrastructure can’t sustain another major subdivision.
“I’m not opposed to growth. I think growth is necessary in all communities, but there is such a thing as overgrowth,” she said. “I find that sad that people want to destroy beautiful land just to stick a bunch of houses on there.”
The city council will now make the final decision on the rezoning request on Sept. 30. Grant said if the rezoning passes, he plans to add it to his pending lawsuits.
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