Augusta planning panel postpones proposed off‑campus student housing to resolve parking and design concerns

The Augusta Planning Commission on December heard a petition (Z‑25‑41) to rezone four properties in the Sandhills/Old Augusta area for off‑campus student housing and voted to postpone the item for 60 days to allow the applicant and staff to resolve concerns over parking, stormwater and exterior materials.

Ashley Caterton, development services administrator, told the commission the proposal would convert four vacant parcels to R3B multifamily to develop student housing intended to serve about 130 students with on‑site amenities. Staff noted the applicant’s plan currently provides roughly 0.5 parking spaces per bedroom, while the zoning ordinance’s dormitory guidance would suggest a higher ratio and thus substantially more impervious surface if met.

Wayne Miller, speaking for the applicant, said the project is designed to emphasize walkability and discourage student car ownership, and that he has met with Augusta University and neighborhood representatives. Miller acknowledged tradeoffs between adding parking and increasing impervious surface, and said the project team is open to using higher‑quality exterior materials and to working with staff on parking and stormwater solutions.

Commissioner McKnight urged the applicant to return with options to increase parking and add green space and durable materials; staff advised that a one‑space‑per‑bedroom standard would require roughly double the current parking. Commissioner Cook moved to postpone the petition so the applicant and staff could “massage” the plan; the motion passed on a voice vote and the item will return after the 60‑day period.

The postponement is procedural and does not constitute approval; the full Augusta Commission will receive the revised staff recommendation when the item is resubmitted.