Proposed Port Wentworth development draws concerns related to neighboring church, traffic
A proposed commercial development in Port Wentworth is drawing concerns over traffic, what it could mean for the neighboring church and the potential of disturbing unmarked graves.
The development of the 14,000-square-foot retail space at 1005 Highway 30 is in early phases, with a public hearing for the property's rezoning at Port Wentworth's recent city council meeting.
During the meeting, four people came up to speak about the possibility of unmarked graves in the area. The members of North Salem Baptist Church in Port Wentworth have met in the same spot since it was established in 1823. Lifelong resident Georgia Benton noted that in the 1800s, much of the area was plantation land, with North Salem being one of the only churches in the area. The Keller Family Cemetery, located behind the church, is full of the slaves who worked for the family, according to Malcolm Smith, the chairman of deacons for North Salem.
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The Kellers, according to the Georgia Historical Society, owned the Drakies and Coldbrook Plantations. George Adam Keller served as the clerk of North Salem Baptist Church for almost 50 years.
Councilmember Gabrielle Nelson requested that the developer, Milan Patel, look into what the cost would be for them to ensure there were no graves on the site. However, Patel indicated the cost of a grave survey may be too high for the project's budget.
The property's rezoning passed the planning and zoning commission on March 11, with the recommendation from staff that it not be rezoned until it can prove access to water and sewer.
Public concern at planning and zoning was related to the lack of buffer from the church and potential future alcohol sale. The developer came to council and proposed a 20-foot buffer of their choosing and guaranteed no alcohol sale.
"I want you to think how many slaves were involved," Benton said. "20-foot [buffer] from that church is not enough. There were very few markers for slave graves, so you don't know where they are."
Smith said the church would appreciate if the city didn't approve the rezoning, if possible, out of concerns for the increase in traffic and the buffer.
"Maybe consider at least a wall be built in between if we can do that," Smith said. "And right now we have services on Sunday morning, Sunday night and on Wednesday. How is that going to affect our services? Traffic is going to be bad regardless, but would they be allowing businesses to be on open on Sundays? Or close at a certain time?"
The rezoning will be up for a vote at the next city council meeting on April 18.
Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Port Wentworth development draws concerns over traffic, church disturbances
