Irmo Housing Development Lawsuit Comes to a Close
The town of Irmo just got some clarity on its housing plans, as a lawsuit challenging the approval of the Water Walk development has been dismissed by Judge Mark Hayes. For those of you who have been tracking this situation, you’ll know that it has stirred up quite a bit of conversation around town.
The Lawsuit Story
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in August, an Irmo resident named Adam Raynor got the ball rolling by filing a lawsuit against the town. He raised concerns about whether the town followed its own guidelines in giving the green light to the construction of this major residential project near Lake Murray.
Raynor was particularly passionate about his stance, arguing that the town should have waited a full year after initially turning down the proposal for its reconsideration. His initial suit aimed to block the Irmo Planning Commission from even taking a second look at the 65-acre site that plans to host 550 homes, spread out across several different types of residences.
Approval and Revisions
After Raynor’s original challenge, the town council decided to approve a revised plan for Water Walk, while a Richland County court tossed out Raynor’s attempts to stop the council from reconsidering. But even this did not deter Raynor, who continued to argue that the approval process was not above board.
On the town’s side, attorney Will Edwards contended that the approval procedures were followed correctly, stating the review process doesn’t wrap up until the town council weighs in on the planning commission’s recommendation. In simpler terms, they believed that the rules allow developers to make adjustments as they go along.
Judge Hayes’ Ruling
After carefully considering the arguments, Judge Hayes put a definitive end to Raynor’s challenge. He highlighted two major reasons for his decision. First, the lawsuit was filed against the town but failed to include mentions of the actual Water Walk developer, known as Material Capital Partners based in Charleston, or the property owners involved in the project, who hadn’t been given a chance to defend their interests.
Secondly, he pointed out that Raynor didn’t fully engage in the town’s zoning appeals process before jumping into litigation. Without exhaustively navigating the town’s own rules, he wouldn’t be able to claim a strong position in court.
What’s Next for Water Walk?
With the lawsuit out of the way, this clears the path for developers to push forward with creating the Water Walk neighborhood — although it’s not without its critics. Nearby residents have raised eyebrows over potential increases in traffic congestion and concerns about how this new development will affect the beautiful Lake Murray area.
The ambitious project includes plans for about 280 single-family homes and townhomes along with 220 living units specifically designed for seniors. And that’s not all — the proposal also includes commercial space for dining and retail as well as a charming boutique hotel featuring up to 75 rooms. Sounds like a lovely addition to the community!
Future Developments
Irmo officials are optimistic about this project, arguing that it’s a much better alternative than allowing another developer to build up to 700 apartments in the same space without needing further approval. Feels like sometimes you need to choose the lesser of two evils, right?
As local folks continue to weigh in on the developments, one thing is clear: Irmo is in for some exciting changes ahead!
