UPDATE: The developers have revised their proposal to eliminate all of the commercial uses and seek an ALL RESIDENTIAL PDD, consisting of up to 187 units, 7.5 per acre, including single family and multi family housing, on the two tracts of land, consisting of approximately 26.63 acres, together, located along Highway 170 and Old Baileys Road, in rural Jasper County, South Carolina.  

Previously: (Developers are proposing to build up to 233 units along with 65,820 square feet of community and mixed-use commercial on the two tracts of land consisting of approximately 26.63 acres, together, located along Highway 170 and Old Baileys Road, in rural Jasper County, South Carolina) 

We the undersigned do petition Jasper County Council to deny the rezoning of the 26.63 acres, located at tax map numbers 081-00-04-007 and 081-00-04-008, located along Highway 170 and Old Baileys Road, in rural Jasper County, South Carolina, from Rural Residential and Community Commercial to a Residential Planned Development District (PDD) for the following reasons:

1. The current zoning is for residential and would only allow for the 20 acres of the said property, that is located  along Old Baileys Road, to be divided in up to 1/2 acre lots for single family residential housing. This would allow for, only, up to around 40 homes, creating a small subdivision. The other 6 acres, located along Highway 170, is currently zoned as community commercial which would only allow for small office buildings. This current zoning would be fitting into our community since it was a part of the original comprehensive plan. The new zoning would allow for single-family residential and multi-family residential housing, which includes apartments and townhomes, 7.5 units per acre, up to 187 units.

2. According to the Jasper County Comprehensive Plan, the future  land use maps designate the Bailey Park land tract as Resource Conservation Land. By definition, Resource Conservation is a careful preservation and protection of a natural resource to prevent exploitation. 

3. This development will effect the quality of life for the Old Baileys Road Community's residents in the following ways: 

      A.  The calm and tranquil lifestyle that we have all enjoyed will be taken away by a large development that is not "fitting" into the existing rural atmosphere of Old Baileys Road. It will impact our wildlife habitat, wetlands and cultural resources.

      B.  Old Baileys Road is already a narrow, two-lane road. A heavy increase in traffic would become dangerous for residents.  Old Baileys Road is an existing rural community. Children and adults alike commute by walking, bicycling or riding a golf cart. The proposed PDD and the associated traffic would disrupt this way of life. 

      C. The Okatee River is one of the last remaining pristine bodies of water in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The proposed PDD is located less than 500 feet from the Okatee River. The runoff created from this PDD will pollute the waters currently used for recreation, shellfish harvesting and marine life conservation. 

      D. A large development will cause a financial strain on area residents as taxpayers, to provide more  EMS, fire and law enforcement.

      E. The population density of the proposed PDD is of grave concern. It would contribute to increased crime and safety issues for our families. 

4. The Altamaha Town Heritage Preserve is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. It is located less than a half mile from this proposed development. This Preserve includes a Civil War Era graveyard and was the original settlement of the Yemassee Indians. 

The neighboring landowners and residents have expressed their desire to see the proposed property on Old Baileys Road conserved. The time to act is now: Rezoning and development of the proposed "Bailey Park" will lower the quality of life for the residents in our community.