Fewer homes in proposed 180-acre Indian Land development plan

A smaller Avondale development could be coming to Indian Land.

Sinacori Homes wants to develop almost 180 acres between Calvin Hall and Harrisburg roads in Indian Land. Previous proposals for more homes received little support, though an updated plan came to county planners last week.

In July, Lancaster County planners heard an Avondale proposal for 820 new homes. Lancaster County Council approved a moratorium on new rezoning requests in Indian Land that same month. The nine-month moratorium didn’t apply to Avondale, planning director Penelope G. Karagounis said at the time.

“The Avondale project was submitted before the pending ordinance doctrine was approved for the moratorium,” she said.

But the plan didn’t receive a favorable recommendation from county planning staff. There was concern about both the overall community impact and the planned development rezoning itself. The current plan still involves a rezoning to a planned development. Planning staff recommends in favor of the new plan.

At the Nov. 17 meeting of the county planning commission, staff recommendation noted that the developer and planners “worked diligently to produce a just a fair-minded plan.” It still recognizes challenges with the project.

“Any development on this scale will cause infrastructure and resources to be stretched,” it read.

An early master plan for Avondale showed 1,010 residences. The 820-unit plan this summer included 400 single-family homes, 220 senior residences and 200 townhomes. The latest plan has 730 units. Included are 365 single-family, 200 senior living and 165 townhomes.

Also included is up to $175,000 from the developer for a roundabout at Calvin Hall and Harrisburg.

Avondale comes at a time when Indian Land residents continue to face growth challenges, and big decisions as a result. On Nov. 12, a group called Voters for a Town of Indian Land began the petition phase of a campaign to incorporate the area. The South Carolina Secretary of State approved petition forms, and the group began looking for volunteers to circulate them.

“We are looking for those willing to take these to community events, HOA meetings, school activities, social events, church functions, youth sporting competitions and around your own neighborhood,” read a group email blast.

The group will need to gather signatures from 15 percent of registered voters in the area considered for incorporation, which has about 25,000 residents. If successful, a final public vote will be held on whether to form a new town.

Along with incorporation and the moratorium, community issues include discussion of development impact fees and another signature drive for a petition, this one for a special law enforcement tax district.

On Oct. 26, Lancaster County Council voted unanimously to provide up to $26,080 for an impact fee study. Council is looking at fees that would be charged on new development, and help offset growth costs for libraries, recreation and government services, mainly law enforcement. A transportation fee isn’t part of the plan.

Signatures haven’t come in yet for the law enforcement tax district. Sheriff Barry Faile met with residents in Indian Land earlier in the year with the proposal. Residents would need to submit a petition with at least 15 percent of voters in the Indian Land and Pleasant Valley fire districts, the same area that would be used for the tax district.

Indian Land would see enhanced service if they pass a vote to charge themselves an annual tax.

“I haven’t heard much on it lately,” said Doug Barfield with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Fewer homes in proposed 180-acre Indian Land development plan."