McIntosh OKs houses for Union Island

Opponents had raised environmental worries about surrounding marsh

DARIEN -- The McIntosh County Commission approved a rezoning request Tuesday that will allow the construction of up to 18 houses on a marsh island.

Following the recommendation of the county zoning board, the commissioners voted to change the zoning of 9-acre Union Island, which is on the North River north of Darien, from conservation-preservation to residential so brothers Tim and Lee Garris of Tolamato Partners can build there.

Citing environmental concerns, a number of residents voiced their opposition just as they did to planning and zoning officials earlier in the month.

Paul Griffin urged the commissioners to not squander what he called "social and natural capital.''

"When I look at what we're doing on Union Island, we're being irresponsible,'' Griffin said.
Christi Lambert, who would see the proposed development from her neighborhood in The Ridge community, asked the commissioners to consider the damage to the environment.

The impervious surfaces in the development would cause lawn chemicals and other contaminants to flow into the marsh, Lambert said.

The marshes and rivers attract people to the community and support the local economy, she said.

"It's just not the place for us to be building,'' Lambert said.

Environmental educator and author Taylor Schoettle called Union Island a precious place and "the front page of McIntosh County.''

He asked the commissioners to leave such places alone until more suitable building sites on the uplands are developed.

Lee Garris presented a list with the signatures of hundreds of people who support the rezoning.

He noted that nearby Blue N' Hall landing is a commercial enterprise and that nearby Heard's Island already is developed.

"My kids go to school here. I live here. I pay taxes here,'' Garris said.

It is only recently that he has been able to make a living building in his home county, Garris said.

"I had to go to St. Simons [Island] for work,'' he said. "Now the opportunity is here.''
There were also a number of concerns addressed about the lack of parking at Blue N' Hall, which Union Island

residents would use to access their property. It is accessible only by boat.

Negotiations are under way to acquire property on the uplands to reduce some of the crowding at the landing, Garris said.

Although the commissioners approved the rezoning, the Garrises must still get permits from the state. Still unknown is whether the Georgia Marshlands Protection Committee will play a role in permitting the development.

As they did in the past, the commissioners rejected a motion by Commissioner Charles Jordan for a six-month moratorium on rezoning until a master plan is complete.

terry.dicksonjacksonville.com, (912) 264-0405

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• April 19, 2006
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• April 6, 2006
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  The marsh island would change to residential, allowing
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