MARTIN COUNTY — Country life in the western part of the county may last a little longer, but it may look a little different.
County commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to redefine “rural lifestyle” land, which can be used for housing and other development. But the density, or number of homes per acre, will be the same as agricultural land.
This change would allow designation of a rural lifestyle on at least 3,000 acres within 6,000 feet of a major metropolitan service district or independent metropolitan service district. Rural lifestyle was previously defined as at least 1,000 acres adjacent to a metropolitan service district, a boundary that limits some county services such as water and sewer.
The idea has drawn opposition, primarily because it could alter or impact pristine land.
Commissioner Sarah Hurd, who voted against the change, said, “This is a betrayal of Martin County's differences.”
Hurd warned that this change would establish a precedent from which Martin County cannot recover.
She asked what to do next. Does the county intend to extend the rural lifestyle designation up to eight miles from the urban service district? Other opponents expressed similar sentiments.
Changes set approval
Tuesday's changes pave the way for approval of the Ranch Project, which plans to build two golf courses and possibly 175 homes on about 3,900 acres surrounding the intersection of Bridge Road and Kanawha Highway. .
Housing would be concentrated on developed land of less than 200 acres. The project, which requires amendments to the definition of rural living and land use and zoning changes, also received approval from commissioners on a 4-1 vote.
“We're just excited to have the opportunity to protect and preserve this property,” said property owner Ken Bakst. “I think everyone appreciates the work we do for the environment.”
Bakst and his family said at the meeting that they plan to make this their home.
The project will also include more than 3,500 acres of open space, including 1,200 acres of farmland.
supporters and opponents
Still, not everyone was happy. Those who came to Tuesday's County Commission meeting to make public comments were almost evenly split between supporters and opponents.
Parents in Martin County, for example, oppose the plan and want on-site water quality monitoring, which could happen.
Other committee members who voted in favor of the lunch also liked it for various reasons.
Commissioner Stacey Hetherington said the project is the closest to Martin County she knows and where he grew up.
A proposal a few years ago called for 600 homes on the site, but this is 175, Commissioner Ed Ciampi noted. But still, he added, some people don't want anything here.
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Commissioners represent everyone in the county, and Ciampi suspects some residents will support the project.
The rural lifestyle designation is new to Martin County. Other developments have preceded the county since its inception, such as the Atlantic Fields and Three Lakes projects.
Keith Burbank is a TCPpalm watchdog reporter covering Martin County. Contact him at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and his 720-288-6882.