WINNSBORO, S.C. — A large-scale development in Fairfield County is moving closer to reality following a recent decision by the Town of Winnsboro to annex a significant piece of property.
The move comes months after Fairfield County rejected a rezoning request for the same site, which could now see the construction of over 1,000 homes.
In September 2023, Fairfield County officials turned down a rezoning request for a property on Gumsprings Road, which is along S.C. Highway 34.
The proposed project, initially estimated to include up to 800 homes, was denied by the county’s planning commission. However, the development plans have been revived after the Town of Winnsboro approved the annexation of the 390-acre property on Tuesday.
Latoya Howard, a resident across the street from the site, expressed concern over the potential impact on her rural lifestyle.
“All of the loudness, all of the confusion, fast pace—trying to find someplace to pretty much plant my roots so that my children and I could start a farm,” Howard said. “We really came here to be at peace.”
Winnsboro Town Manager Chris Clauson said the annexation was approved as a Planned Development District (PDD).
“It can be more creative; you aren't locked into specific lot dimensions and lot sizes that you can have an overarching density and everything," Clauson said. "But it can sort of work with the land; usually, they may incorporate a commercial component as well."
Mike Satterfield, CEO of Haven Homes, said they are under contract to purchase the property, and they will develop a masterplan community. He said they expect to bring more than 1,000 homes and some form of commercial space.
"Ranges with where we are right now, obviously, we're in preliminary planning but would be somewhere between 1,000 to 1,200," Satterfield said. "There will be a small commercial component to the PDD, it appears right now.”
Howard was taken aback when informed of the potential scale of the development.
“Oh my gosh, I’d have to move," Howard said. "I'd have to move; I'd probably move. I wouldn’t be able to the traffic; it would be outrageous.”
While specific plans have not been submitted to the town, Satterfield expects development to begin in a year.