More than 200 homes, townhomes and apartments pitched in latest Rock Hill wave
More than 200 new residences are proposed in Rock Hill, in four projects set for decisions this week.
The city planning commission will hear the cases Tuesday night. Combined, the projects would include homes, townhomes, duplexes and apartments. Not all the projects got glowing approvals from city planners.
Here’s a look at what is proposed, and where, in Rock Hill:
▪ Almost 40 acres on Old York Road in the Newport area could be developed for residential and commercial uses. Rise Partners in Charlotte applied to rezone the southwest corner of Old York and Miller Pond Road. A Rock Hill family owns the site.
A small, vacant house is the only existing construction on the property. The Walmart shopping center, a grocery store, homes and other retails sites surround the site.
The property proposal shows 110 new residences. Two-thirds would be townhomes, the rest typical detached homes. Several new streets and alleyways would be part of the project. The applicant proposes no more than 25,000 square feet of commercial space and no commercial building at more than 8,000 square feet. Existing zoning at the site would allow for full commercial use, with a property that size able to support big box retailers in line with the Walmart beside it.
Despite positives that include support from most surrounding property owners, city staff doesn’t recommend the zoning change. The city planning staff will make its recommendation, and City Council will have the final call. Planning staff isn’t in favor due to the added residential uses that would add commuter traffic on Celanese Road, already an area of concern.
▪ Dreamkey Partners of Charlotte applied to rezone property on Rauch and Wilson streets to allow affordable apartments. A Fort Mill company owns the 12-acre site that surrounds Wilhurst Street. City planning staff in Rock Hill recommends against the plan as submitted, which would need a planning commission recommendation and a City Council decision to complete the zoning change.
Dreamkey proposes a 93-apartment development. The Wilhurst property would have 84 apartments in four buildings, each at three stories. Nine more two-story townhome units also would be rentals.
The developer proposes a smaller exposed foundation than is typically required. The reason is, according to city documents, the change would make all units more accessible for people with disabilities. The city allows the smaller exposed foundations for senior-specific projects, but not developments marketed to a wider range of residents. Without the foundation change request, city planners would be in favor of the plan.
The property has been mostly vacant since the 2011 demolition of the Midtown Apartments. A 2016 zoning change allowed 72 apartments in nine buildings, but that project was never developed.
The property is surrounded by homes, a Rock Hill Housing Authority apartment complex, a car wash and Arcade Victoria Park.
▪ Almost three acres behind Cherry Park Centre could become new townhomes. The 1106 Ebinport Road property is behind the large shopping center that fronts Cherry Road, across from the Rock Hill Tennis Center and Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion.
Plans for the undeveloped property show 16 townhomes. Plans show a new street and open space for amenity areas. All the townhomes would face away from the large commercial property on Cherry, onto the new street that connects with a private alley in back of the townhomes in a loop.
▪ Rock Hill-based Nelson Property Group asked to annex and rezone almost 2 acres at Main Street and Heckle Boulevard to create duplexes. The full plan, which combines four land parcels, would put three units at the intersection. Access would come from Heckle, while parking would front Main. Submitted plans show two-story units, with all three bedrooms in each on the upper level.
This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 1:45 PM.
