Rezoning Proposal Could Transform Martinez Suburb

Augusta-Richmond County planning staff have scheduled a July 15 hearing on a rezoning application that would shift 45 acres in Martinez from light industrial to mixed-use zoning allowing up to 320 apartments and 85,000 square feet of retail.

The request arrives as Augusta home prices rose 12 percent year-over-year through June, according to multiple listing service data, pushing the median sale price to $285,000. Developers cite strong demand from workers at nearby Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University Medical Center who want shorter commutes and walkable amenities.

The site sits just east of the Bobby Jones Expressway interchange and south of the Augusta Mall. It borders an existing stretch of single-family homes along Lake Forest Drive and lies two miles from the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area trailhead. If approved, the project would add a new entrance off Washington Road and include a required 2-acre public green space adjacent to the canal path.

Traffic and Infrastructure Concerns

County traffic engineers estimate the development would generate 2,400 additional daily vehicle trips. Planners have required the applicant to fund a left-turn lane and signal timing upgrades at the Washington Road and Lake Forest Drive intersection. Water and sewer capacity studies submitted with the application show the existing 12-inch main along Washington Road can handle the added load without immediate upgrades.

Current industrial zoning limits the parcels to warehouse and distribution uses. The new mixed-use category would permit buildings up to four stories and require 20 percent of units to be priced at or below 80 percent of area median income for 15 years.

Next Steps for Residents

The planning commission will accept public comments at its July 15 meeting in the Municipal Building at 535 Telfair Street. Written statements can be emailed to planning@augustaga.gov through July 12. If the commission recommends approval, the item advances to the Augusta Commission for a final vote on August 4.

Property owners within 300 feet of the site received mailed notices last week. Residents who want to review the full traffic study or site plan can request copies from the planning department office on the second floor of the Municipal Building.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.