AIKEN --- It's the one Aiken County construction site Stephen Strohminger gets the most public inquiries about.

"I get multiple phone calls on it every week," said the official with Aiken County Planning and Development.

Although Mr. Strohminger said some have wondered if the site is for a major retailer, specifically a Sam's, he quickly informs callers that's not the case.

The nearly 45 acres off Jefferson Davis Highway in Burnettown will be a town- home development called The Vista, with a few small frontage commercial lots, he said.

"All they (the public) want to know is 'What's going on there?' " he said. "We've had lots of interest in it."

Grading work began recently at the site, which fronts Jefferson Davis near Sudlow Lake Road, and Mr. Strohminger said that road work for the development should begin soon.

The property is being developed by Horsecreek Realty LLC and will have two phases, ultimately consisting of 116 townhome lots and three commercial out-parcels fronting Jefferson Davis Highway at sizes of 1.67 acres, 7.49 acres and 1.61 acres, Mr. Strohminger said.

He said he's not sure what might go on the commercial lots, but he said it wouldn't be a Sam's, which would require far more acreage than what's planned there for commercial.

He also isn't sure when construction is to be completed, but he said the developer has permit approval to continue work through September 2011.

Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.