The long road home: Why Columbia County developers at Thurmond Lake want bigger cul-de-sac

A proposed subdivision on Thurmond Lake's Columbia County side is asking for a bigger road so the development can fit.

Sustainable Property Management LLC has requested a zoning variance from the county to permit a cul-de-sac longer than the county's 700-foot limit.

The development, Abundance Point, is planned for an irregularly shaped 23-acre peninsula extending into the lake's Little River section and bordering Mistletoe State Park.

Olin Corp. bought the property in 1998 as an outdoor getaway for its employees, but it fell into disuse about a decade ago as the company sharply reduced employees at its Augusta plant that manufactures bleach.

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In detailing their request, the applicants told county planners that "steep topography and existing ridge line dictates where the proposed road needs to be constructed," according to the application.

Gaining access to more land means extending the cul-de-sac to 2,000 feet. The still-evolving project can acommodate between nine and 11 large lots.

The Columbia County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the request at its meeting Aug. 1.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: The long road home: Why Columbia County developers at Thurmond Lake want bigger cul-de-sac