Columbia Council approves items for 765-home development near Ridley Park

Just as the project was approaching its two-year mark in seeking approval by the city, Columbia City Council approved items to bring 760 homes just off Trotwood Avenue near Ridley Park.

The controversial vote included multiple ordinances, which included rezoning the 400-acre property to allow a planned unit development (PUD), as well as annexation and various roadway improvements, which include additional stoplights and safer access for drivers.

No design or construction plans were approved and will appear at a later time. This will include further review by the planning commission, as well as additional studies prior to any construction, which is projected to be a 10-year buildout.

Since its initial proposal, which included plans to build nearly 1,000 homes on the 400-acre property, the PUD has drawn many concerns from residents, as well as city department leaders, such as Columbia Fire Chief Ty Cobb, whose recent comments regarding safety vehicle access led to the project's most recent deferral in June.

More: 765-home Old Zion PUD at Trotwood deferred due to public safety concerns

"If a vehicle is broken down, they'll be in the way of traffic, and that is a safety issue to me," Cobb said during the council's June 8 meeting. "I think that needs to be addressed, and that public safety is a top priority."

Cobb was not present during last Thursday's council meeting, and therefore could not provide comment, but did provide his input earlier that week during the council's study session, where he recommended the city consider widening a portion of Trotwood to three lanes.

Thursday's regular council meeting brought a full crowd of concerned citizens hoping for one last push to advise council members to deny the proposed PUD. This included comments from several Maury County commissioners as well, mostly voicing concerns regarding traffic safety.

"The issues that I've had with all of this have had to do with safety, transportation and emergency access if there is a problem," Maury County Commission Chair Eric Previti, who is also a nearby resident, said. "Chief Cobb recommended the road be three lanes from Cayce Lane to the Mt. Pleasant area, and I agree with that. I hope that's a requirement that gets put in, and that before anything vertical happens, make sure the infrastructure is done."

Another concern throughout the process has been access into the neighborhood, which for a time included connecting the PUD with nearby Yeatman Lane that has been heavily opposed by residents.

More: Ridley-Trotwood PUD passes first reading despite continued pushback from citizens

In addition to the proposed 765 residential units attached to the project, developers are also dedicating more than half of the property to park and green space, which will include multiple miles of walking trails, as well as space donated to the city for the adjacent Ridley Park.

There are also plans to install multiple stoplights along Trotwood Avenue leading to Mt. Pleasant, as well as redesigning access lanes into Ridley Park, which developers say would help alleviate the anticipated increase in traffic, as well as provide additional safety for drivers. There have also been talks of possibly lowering the 55 MPH speed limit.

"We are interested and committed in working with the city's engineering staff in doing that," Brandon Baxter, representing the applicant, said. "The Mt. Pleasant stoplight at Polk Place and Trotwood, we are committed to doing that in our first phase of development."

While the council ultimately approved all items associated with the proposed Old Zion PUD, the vote was not unanimous, with Councilmen Tony Greene and Kenny Marshall opposing each item.

Mayor Chaz Molder commented on the years-long process it has taken to reach the final vote, which he described as, if anything, "educational" in the way such a request is processed, which although took much longer than anticipated initially, was conducted in a way where every voice could be heard, considered and implemented in the decision making.

"I want to thank city staff, particularly our Development Services and city engineer for their good work over the last year, or years at this point," Molder said.

"When we have opportunities to work with staff on these complex developments, I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to have a professional and sophisticated department in Development Services. I'm just overall proud of our city staff as a whole."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Council approves items for 765-home development near Ridley Park