Laurens planning commission hears of potential 221N development

Laurens, South Carolina – The City of Laurens Planning Commission held a public hearing last week to allow Scott Gillespie of Deep River South Development to explain about a 44-acre area he’d like to develop on Highway 221 N.
The wooded property outside the city limits is below Vern Cora Road and near the city’s Hunter Industrial Park.
“Even without market studies, it makes sense,” Gillespie said. “You don’t get manufacturers and job growth without a place for people who work there to live.”
If he can close on the property and follow through with approval by the planning commission and annexation by the city, Gillespie said the development would potentially allow for up to 140 single-family homes in two phases. A third phase could include multi-family apartments.
Gillespie said he keeps as many large trees as possible to go beyond required buffers between the development and neighbors, and it will include 10 acres of open common area.
He said eventually his plan could include a small retail area as well and possibly a manufacturing building.
Development of the commercial phase will be determined by demand, he said.
Planning commission chair Robbie Templeton said neighbors along Arvil Lane, which is adjacent to the property, might be concerned and would want to know about the plans.
The planning commission didn’t have a quorum to be able to vote but agreed to take it up with a larger group later, and then present its recommendations to Laurens City Council.

This story first ran on page 3 of the June 15, 2022 issue of The Laurens County Advertiser.