IRMO, S.C. — A controversial $65 million "Water Walk" development in Irmo along the shores of Lake Murray is again moving forward in the Irmo Town Council.
Council members said the plan is to build some single-family homes for sale or rent and others geared towards older generations on a 65-acre property near Dreher Shoals Road.
Irmo council members said they also want to include a commercial area and a walking village with plans to expand the roads. Mayor Bill Danielson believes it could bring much-needed economic development.
“We need the businesses here; we don’t have property tax; we’re not making any money on the residential properties," he said. "But we do want the businesses here and the core and the shopping centers and all of that, really kind of upscale shopping."
According to Danielson, this project was rejected in the past, with many residents saying they were against bringing the development to the town. However, he said that after the approval of the first reading on Sept. 17, the town and developers are in a better place to make this happen.
“We approved it at the first reading with a handful of significant items to be negotiated, so we are working with them now to negotiate those to get those," Danielson said. "These are all from citizens' feedback; all this is input from the citizens.”
The goal is to bring at least 500 to 550 homes once it all comes together.
The town will have a public hearing on Oct. 15 to approve the second reading before construction occurs.