Irmo could get 300 apartments on former clay mining site. Here's what to know

A developer wants to transform a former Midlands clay mining site into a 300-unit apartment complex, but neighbors say the area can’t handle the added traffic. Irmo’s planning commission unanimously recommended rezoning the 22-acre property Monday, sending the proposal to town council.

FULL STORY: Former Midlands mining site could become 300 apartments. Here’s what we know

Here are key takeaways:

• Long Key Development is proposing about 300 market-rate apartments on roughly 22 acres off Columbiana Drive near Woodspring Suites, on land previously zoned for manufacturing and used for clay mining until about 2023.
• The complex would include a swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, coworking spaces and 641 parking spaces, with the main entrance on Columbiana Drive and a secondary access on Battery Drive.
• Up to 50% of units may participate in Richland County’s Commercial Development Program, an affordable housing program for those earning between 80% and 120% of the area’s median income.
• A town traffic study of Lake Murray Boulevard, College Street, Columbiana Drive and Broad River Road found no major changes were needed, though traffic signal timing modifications were recommended.
• Residents raised concerns about density and infrastructure, particularly the condition of Battery Road. Irmo town council is expected to discuss the project June 16.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.