Proposed subdivision would add more than 28,000 daily traffic trips in Pembroke
A hotel, a drive-in bank, fast food joints and a whopping 2,000 homes are part of a massive, proposed development that could one day become reality in the historic railroad town of Pembroke in Bryan County.
Located on Highway 67 and Sims Road, the Warnell Tract would see 2,000 homes in a mix of single-family detached houses, townhomes and apartments. According to the site plan, 53 acres are dedicated for commercial use. The entire tract is more than 500 acres.
The developer is Warnell-GSL Cattle Company LLC. The project will go before Pembroke's Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:30 p.m., May 16, at Pembroke City Hall, 353 N. Main St.
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The trip generation on the planned unit development application predicts more than 28,000 daily trips, including 16,636 from non-residential and 11,888 from residential. The development would need two new entrances on Highway 67. The document also states that "75% of outbound traffic would travel southbound on Highway 67 every day."
The land use application says the development would accommodate the area’s growing workforce. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is an 8-mile drive from Pembroke.
Pemrboke City Administrator Chris Benson said the location of the suggested residential and commercial properties is “ideal for this type of proposed development.”
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“The way we build housing today is going to have an impact on everyone’s way of living whether you live in a city, suburb or rural area over the next several decades,” said Benson. “And unless something changes, we will continue to see the traditional subdivisions continue to expand. This development incorporates appropriate mixtures of housing types, along with needed commercial space.”
When asked what sticks out about the project, Benson said, “This proposed development integrates street design with pedestrian-friendly corridors throughout the development. It provides for a village-type feel with connectivity to the various housing types to the commercial components.”
Benson predicted full build out could take between seven to 10 or more years.
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: Developer proposes to build thousands of residential units in Pembroke
