Growth is coming

NORTH AUGUSTA - Officials say two proposed developments could bring almost 1,000 new homes to the city in the next seven years.

The North Augusta City Council approved plans for two developments, Hamrick Farms and Wando Woodlands, by 6-0 votes on first and second reading at its Monday meeting. Councilwoman Pat Carpenter was absent.

Hamrick Farms, a 178-acre mixed-use development on the east side of West Martintown Road between Knobcone Avenue and Interstate 20, will include up to 284 single-family houses, 384 apartments and 285,900 square feet of commercial property.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

The 28 commercial-use acres could include retail centers or offices, said Robert Fuller, a Columbia attorney who represented the Tetra Cos., the Virginia-based company that is developing the property.

In addition, about 34 acres of land will be preserved as green space, which could be connected to the Greeneway, a multi-use trail in North Augusta, said Eric Vannier, the director of the company's South Carolina operations.

An analysis indicated that additional traffic resulting from the development could be alleviated by improvements to Knobcone Avenue and to Martintown, Five Notch and Pisgah roads.

Wando Woodlands is a 179-acre development north of Bergen Road between Martintown Road and Bergen Place West subdivision.

Three hundred seven single-family homes are planned for this development, which is scheduled to be finished by 2013.

"We've wanted growth, and it's coming," Mayor Lark Jones said.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.