Planning Commission approves Timber's Edge master site plan amid resident concerns over traffic, wildlife and HOA responsibilities

The Simpsonville Planning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 1 to conditionally approve the Timber's Edge master site plan, forwarding the recommendation to city council with the condition that the applicant address staff's technical review comments.

Staff noted the plan shows a maximum of 50 units and reflects council-approved elements including rear-alley layouts and lifted age restrictions. Developer representative Chris Laney said tweaks to the concept plan maintain the approved intent and described the intended streetscape as “front porches” with a walkable design and, he said, "Again, no direct garages on the front." Public commenters pressed the commission on traffic, wildlife habitat and the capacity of local infrastructure. Kimberly Dix, a nearby resident, warned that adding 50 homes would damage local wildlife habitat and increase vehicle collisions: "If you build these 50 homes, you will be flipping their world upside down."

Commissioners asked for clarifications on maintenance, public vs. private street acceptance, trash truck turnaround and stormwater. The applicant said sidewalks proposed to connect with Plain Elementary would be built to DOT specifications and taken into DOT inventory if accepted; roadways are planned as private streets managed by the HOA. On stormwater, the engineer explained design standards and county oversight: "So the way that we we look at and design these stormwater ponds is we look at the 5, 10, 25, 50, and where we're moving now, hundred year storm events," and said the on-site pond was sized to handle the commercial pieces and the development's runoff. After discussion, commissioners moved and seconded conditional approval; the motion passed unanimously.