Kingsland, Georgia, Plots Major Residential Expansion with Sheffield Island Development

A significant residential development is on the horizon for Sheffield Island, as Drapac Investments LLC/St. Bourke, acting as agent for owners Earl L. Carter and Schifanella Properties, LLC, has submitted a proposal for a Planned Development (PD) encompassing 750 single-family lots across approximately 571 to 572 acres. The rezoning application, filed by Richard Stevenson, seeks to transform parcels 119 002, 119 003, and 119 004E from their current Camden County R-1 (Single Family Residential) and LIC (Little Cumberland Island) zoning to the City of Kingsland Sheffield Island Planned Development district.

The project, strategically located approximately 1.5 miles east of the intersection of Harrietta Bluff Road (Exit 7) and Sheffield Island Road, aims to establish a predominantly single-family residential community. This move reflects a broader trend of expanding suburban and exurban markets, catering to demand for new housing stock.

Key aspects of the proposed Sheffield Island Planned Development include:

• Extensive Residential Offering: The development's core is the creation of 750 single-family residential lots, designed to accommodate a diverse range of housing needs.
• Varied Lot Sizes: To appeal to a wider demographic, the plan incorporates various lot sizes, including 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80-foot lots.
• Phased Implementation: The project is envisioned as a phased development, unfolding over a period of ten or more years. This allows for the systematic construction of residential lots, community open spaces, common areas, and amenities in response to market conditions and environmental considerations.
• Open Space Commitment: The development emphasizes a commitment to green infrastructure, mandating a minimum of 20% of the land dedicated to open space, with the actual percentage not falling below 15%. This includes common areas, recreational facilities, and natural buffers.
• Municipal Infrastructure Integration: The City of Kingsland will assume responsibility for the water and wastewater systems, which will be constructed and subsequently owned by the City. Roads within the development are also slated for dedication to the City, and storm drainage facilities will be constructed in phases.
• Buffering Requirements: A 25-foot buffer strip, featuring plant cover, trees, or an attractive fence, will be required along property boundaries adjoining other upland areas, unless deemed compatible with the adjacent use.
• Density Framework: The plan outlines maximum residential densities, for instance, 7 Dwelling Units per acre (DU/Acre) for 6,000 SF/DU lots, and 5 DU/Acre for 8,000 SF/DU lots.

The rezoning application, submitted in August 2025, has progressed through initial reviews. The Kingsland Planning Commission will hold a meeting on September 2, 2025, with the Kingsland City Council Meeting scheduled for September 8, 2025. Planning staff have already reviewed and approved the PD, recommending approval contingent upon annexation and the zoning designation being approved. The proposal has been deemed consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan.

The overall intent behind the Sheffield Island Planned Development is to establish a flexible framework capable of adapting to environmental considerations, physical constraints, evolving market conditions, and refined design parameters, signaling a significant expansion of residential capacity for Kingsland.