New commercial development could be coming to South Belair Rd.

MARTINEZ, Ga. (WJBF) – A new commercial development could be coming to South Belair Rd.

“It’s an ever-changing neighborhood, but Belair Road has built up quite a bit since I’ve been here,” said Ron Joiner, who lives on Colonial Rd.

A developer wants to rezone six adjacent parcels on South Belair and Colonial Roads from residential and professional, to community commercial for retail purposes.

They’re requesting variances for a bio-retention pond, a buffer reduction for a possible drive-thru lane, and conditional residential use for 5 years after rezoning.

“They were gonna do it eventually. How do you stop it? I wouldn’t stop it,” Joiner said.

Joiner has lived in the area for 24 years. Besides the traffic, he’s okay with the growth.

“I would like to see more mom and pop shops for sure,” he said. “I’d like to see a nice Mexican restaurant over here, a steak house, you know. But, all we have is fast food junk.”

In the application , the developer states if the variances are granted, they will put up a privacy fence, increase landscaping density, ensure rear lighting is away from homes, and use noise control for the drive-thru.

In a statement, the developer says, “Axis Real Estate is excited to work on a new retail development on S Belair Rd.  Enhancing this retail corridor and improving the access and walkability to goods and services for the local community is our goal.  We carefully select tenants and partners who will proudly serve the needs of the area’s residents and visitors alike.  We have and will continue to solicit feedback from our local friends and neighbors to ensure the development is one we can all be proud of.”

85-year-old Elli Ufret, who lives near S Belair Rd., said her home of 55 years doesn’t look the way it used to.

“Too much traffic out there and I guess one business after the other, for me, no more,” she said. “I come from a big city, I like big areas not for my time now, you know. For my age, I like to go somewhere quiet.”

She plans on moving soon, but thinks the growth is good for the younger crowd.

“For the younger people, I was glad when something came while I lived here you know. It’s just, I think I outlived it,” she said.

The proposal will go to the Columbia County Planning Commission on Thursday, September 5th.

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