Another 390-plus homes likely at Lake Wylie

More than 350 new homes are coming to Bonum Road.

York County Planning Commission on July 13 approved two new subdivisions in Lake Wylie. The larger sits on almost 155 acres along Bonum Road. Cypress Point will have 358 new homes. The property sits between Bonum and the Village at Lake Wylie apartments.

Development Solutions Group is creating the new subdivision. Developer Kent Olson is a Lake Wylie resident, with experience building homes in Lake Wylie since 1985. He’s worked in River Hills, The Landing, Harpers Green, Tullamore and RiverPointe, among others in the region.

“Development Solutions Group is a local company,” Olson said. “I’ve got ties to the local area. I’m very sympathetic to the area’s concerns.”

Bonum Road was a contentious area last year when Mattamy Homes purchased 85 acres with plans to build 175 homes for Lake Crest. Residents pleaded with York County Council to rezone or restrict property in the area and allow for fewer homes per acre, if any. Councilman Bruce Henderson proposed a moratorium, but didn’t gain traction with other Council members. The development was approved.

Allison Love, a vocal resident opposing new development close to the lake on Bonum, said she feels the same way about the incoming subdivision. Love says a local developer “should be more aware” of how residents feel.

“I am very disappointed in the developer, the planning commission and York County Council for allowing what will be a detriment to our community,” she said July 16.

Ellen Goff, an opponent then and now, said county planners know zoning laws and traffic counts on local roads.

“With this knowledge, it is unconscionable that they continue to approve residential developments with complete disregard for the immediate as well as long-term impact on the community's limited infrastructure,” Goff said.

Combined with other approvals on Bonum Road, Goff is concerned too many homes are coming.

“It should be blindingly apparent to even the least interested planner, or County Council representative, that dropping more than 700 new homes on the Bonum Road neighborhood will have negative consequences,” she said.

Olson said the zoning prior to his plan allowed for multifamily housing, but he chose not to do that. The site would have allowed for 1,200 residences. The plan also includes a 75-foot buffer to adjoining neighbors, a connection of Robinwood Road to the CVS and improvements to Bonum.

The developer is donating $100,000 to the county for road improvements as part of the project, Olson said. Homes will be phased in over three years, and likely will start at $300,000. Olson said he understands people are concerned with growth, but sees the new development as a fit between not allowing use for landowners and maxing out development potential.

“It’s a good compromise,” he said. “It’s not fair to close the door behind you just because you got in.”

Another decision

The smaller subdivision approved by the planning commission will add 32 homes on as many acres to the north side of S.C. 557, between Oakridge and Davis Mill roads. Evergreen Land Partners will develop Camburn there, west of Oakridge Middle School.

The property was rezoned in winter to allow for Camburn. John Maxwell with Evergreen told York County Council in November his company worked closely with county staff to preserve natural features.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” he said. “It’s got a lot of open space, and yet still it’s good to go with what we think will be an attractive neighborhood in this location.”

The planning commission also recommended approval for rezoning almost 24 acres at 5752 S.C. 55 E. The site sits on the north side of the highway, about halfway between the Charlotte Highway intersection and Bethel School Road.

Owners Judy Falls and Leslee Falls Lengyel want to zone the property to a rural development district, allowing one home per acre. The planning commission decision precedes a public hearing and three needed readings by Council for approval. The public hearing is expected Aug. 17.

Another rezoning to rural development district is further through the process. Council scheduled the public hearing and first reading of a 51-acre rezoning for July 20. May Green Properties is developing the property at 954 S.C. 274, north of Mill Creek Falls. As with the other rural development district, new homes would be limited to one per acre.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Another 390-plus homes likely at Lake Wylie."