New plans with reduced density are expected to be submitted in early April
Developer Macauley Investments withdrew its application for a Special Use Permit from the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council on Feb. 9 for Cashiers Hillside, a proposed 57-acre multiuse development planned at the southeastern corner of the Crossroads.
This ends a months long series of meetings and quasi-judicial hearings between the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council, SUP applicant Macauley Investments, and a group of property owners and organizations with strong concerns over the impact a project of this size would have on the area and who are represented by Attorney John Noor.
Cashiers Hillside is a 57-acre proposed multiuse development set to be located at the southeastern corner of the Crossroads.
Macauley Investments Principal Stephen Macauley said they decided to withdraw their application after hearing concerns from the community.
“We are very aware of the community concerns regarding density and have offered a 20% reduction in density,” said Macauley. “We are going to revise the plan to address that as well as other concerns we have heard from the community. Because we are reducing the density and revising the plans, we had to withdraw to adhere to Jackson County’s zoning ordinances and will be reapplying with the reduced density plan.”
The applicant for the proposed Cashiers Hillside development, Macauley Investments, withdrew their application for a Special Use Permit on Feb. 9.
Jackson County Planning Director Mike Poston said applications are withdrawn from time to time.
“Since the developer has withdrawn their application, this hearing will be closed,” said Poston. “A new application will require a new hearing and process.”
Macauley said he expects to submit a reduced-density plan in early April and that working with the Planning Council throughout the application process has been extremely fair.
“I am appreciative of the world-class team that continues to be committed to bringing the vision for Cashiers Hillside to life,” he said. “Our goal is to find a common win for everyone through partnership with the community while bringing a high-quality development to Cashiers. We are in this for the long haul and look forward to not only introducing the new plan, but to sharing more exciting announcements in the coming months.”
The Crossroads is located in the heart of Cashiers at the intersection of Highways 64 and 107.
Poston said JC Planning Staff will evaluate any revised plans that are submitted and treat them as a new SUP application.
“Staff review the new plans and materials and prepare a new Staff Report for the new hearing,” said Poston.
Poston added that holding ongoing hearings during a pandemic is challenging and commended the efforts of those involved.
“I will say that holding a quasi-judicial hearing in the middle of a pandemic takes a great deal of time and effort from so many people,” he said. “The Planning Staff, County Attorney (Heather Baker), and Cashiers Planning Council did a great job in a challenging time. That was only possible due to the tremendous generosity of (TVG Executive Director) Ann Self and The Village Green for offering to host the hearings.”
The Cashiers Hillside project is still currently a line item on the Planning Council’s Feb. 22 meeting agenda, along with discussion to amend the Unified Development Ordinance.
Read more about the proposed Cashiers Hillside project HERE.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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