Housing subdivision approval in Effingham County raises conflict-of-interest concerns
Residents in Effingham County expressed concern that County Commissioner Wesley Corbitt may have a conflict of interest when it comes to a new housing subdivision that is proposed for 29 acres of land sold by a church he helped found and still attends.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioner’s approved an application for the subdivision Tuesday night during its monthly meeting, despite the county's planning and zoning department recommending its denial. Corbitt is listed as “agent” for Grace Community Church in Rincon. Corbitt said he helped start Grace Community Church 30 years ago but said he has had no dealings at the leadership level of GCC for 14 years.
“I have conferred in abundance of caution with our attorney to make sure there is no conflict of interest just because I go to church at Grace Community Church,” said Corbitt, who did not recuse himself from the vote. “I have no financial interest, no receipt from the property sale and no authority related to that board whatsoever.”
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“The recusal process exists for a reason,” said Effingham County resident Nikki Carangelo. “This is when it's supposed to be used. This entire decision is biased since Chairman Wesley Corbitt founded the church and refused to recuse himself, therefore the decision needs to be tossed out.”
The proposed subdivision would include 78 homes, a grass playing field, walking trail, passive recreation spaces throughout and a 30-foot buffer along the Paddleford subdivision. Alec Metzger of EMC Engineering said the project would begin construction in early 2025 but the homes would not be for sale until 2027 or 2028 as time is needed to get infrastructure in place. The homes would be 1,400 square feet and would sell for around $300,000.
According to Mark Lastinger, public information coordinator for the Board of Commissioners, the planning and zoning department gave the green light for the sketch plan but recommended the project be denied due to the "net density of 12 units per acre," Lastinger said.
During the meeting's discussion, Commissioner Forrest Floyd said, “The church has made the decision to monetize that asset and they are trying to work with the people. They are doing it within our ordinance. Every individual has the right to control their property. They are trying to do it in a way not to impact you but moving all the houses to the far side of the railroad tracks. I don’t know what else could be put back there that everyone would agree with.”
One resident spoke against the development, saying he has livestock and fears residents will run him out due to the smell.
“It’s getting too crowded,” said the resident. “This is going to create more traffic. The [Effingham] Parkway ain’t but a two-lane road. I don’t even know why we are having this discussion. The planning board already denied it, so why are we even having this discussion?”
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The Paddleford subdivision, however, is not the only one proposed to bring new rooftops to Effingham County in the coming years.
James Dasher, the developer who withdrew his application for a development that would have featured hundreds of homes in Pembroke, has his eye on Effingham County. Dasher's sketch plan for a subdivision called West Gate was approved by commissioners. The proposed development would involve the construction of 172 homes for phase one on Earl Lain Road.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Residents in Rincon worry about proposed housing development
