Lake Wylie resident wants one more look at development site

The issue of possible historic grave sites at a construction site hasn’t been entirely laid to rest.

Despite past archaeologist findings that no graves are on the Lake Crest subdivision near Bonum road, resident Allison Love believes more investigation is needed.

“If I didn’t feel that there 100 percent are graves, I wouldn’t be doing this,” she said.

Love and neighbors started asking questions almost two years ago believing graves exist on the 85-acre property off Bonum Road. They called in law enforcement and elected officials in York County saying small headstones and periwinkle were typical of old slave graves.

The residents researched property records and found a farm had existed. A York County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed faded and broken markers along with what appeared to be a path through the woods “caused by some sort of tractor or bulldozer.”

Interest intensified as Mattamy Homes, after purchasing the site in summer 2014, planned to build 175 homes there. Residents asked the state archaeologist to investigate. Mattamy hired an archaeologist who had formerly worked with the state archaeologist Jonathan Leader at the University of South Carolina.

Ground penetrating radar didn’t locate graves. After county approval, Mattamy began construction on Lake Crest.

Residents had hoped discovering graves would delay or disrupt now-approved plans for the subdivision. But Love can’t let it go.

“If they are graves, I feel like I’ve done the right thing,” she said. “And if they aren’t graves, I still feel like I’ve done the right thing.”

Mattamy is putting in temporary access roads, which Love says head straight toward the areas. She has reached out to the NAACP and Leader.

Leader has seen pictures, letters between elected representatives and the companyand the ground penetrating radar report.

While Leader doesn’t doubt the results, he would prefer a more detailed report and said, “I would have hoped to have seen a greater area of coverage.”

Residents, including Love, say the report lacked specific coordinates and other data.

Leader cautioned against the idea Mattamy would knowingly hide the discovery of graves, a felony. Mattamy officials repeatedly said they would take steps to preserve graves, but none were found.

Leader made plans Jan. 28 to reach out to Mattamy. The best solution moving forward, he said, is if he and the company can agree to have an archaeological professional on site as clearing continues.

“That is a standard operating procedure throughout the state,” Leader said. “The normal response is to hire a monitor.”

Mattamy doesn’t have teams on site with construction workers.

“There is no archaeological team on site – it’s not necessary, as a detailed survey of the site showed no evidence of unrecorded cemeteries or burials on the site,” said Brent Carey, company spokesman.

Leader said having a professional on site would alleviate residents’ concerns.

“Once it’s been raised,” Leader said, “the issue lingers on.”

During clearing an archaeologist would be able to observe any “late discovery or chance discovery.” Ground radar or other methods aren’t as precise as the actual moving of earth with construction.

“There is always the possibility that you’ve simply missed it,” Leader said.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Lake Wylie resident wants one more look at development site."