CAMDEN, S.C. — A decision on a proposed large-scale housing development in Camden was put on hold after a public meeting on Tuesday evening.
Residents voiced their concerns and the Camden Planning Commission opted to table the issue.
The development would bring 379 homes to approximately 360 of the 745 acres along Highway 1 at Hermitage Pond.
A developer has submitted plans to build 379 single-family homes on 369 acres.
“We’re a growing community. The state of South Carolina is a growing state, and we’re trying to do the right thing and not rubber-stamp a lot of things,” said Johnny Deal, chairman of the Camden Planning Commission.
The development team stated in their proposal they had been working with city staff to put a plan together for over three years, but ultimately the Planning Commission decided to table the issue.
“Just like anything, we want to welcome growth, but we don't need to rush into a decision like this that will bring hundreds of people into the community,” said Hunter Ives, who lives feet away from the proposed development.
Chairman Deal acknowledged that Camden is currently exploring ways to control the pace of development, including a potential moratorium on new developments, leading to the decision to table the issue.
“Camden City Council is considering a moratorium on development here in the city limits of Camden, and to you know be on the same team, we just tabled it, we didn't vote it down, we just tabled the motion to approve the sketch plan,” Deal explained.
Ives believes that these measures are crucial in preparing for future proposals. “We know we’re going to have more developers, and we know that we need to be prepared for those conversations, and Camden is very desirable, it's a great small town, and people find this a very attractive town to live in," he added.
The Camden Planning Commission is scheduled to revisit this issue at its next meeting on September 17th, unless the city adopts the moratorium beforehand.