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By David Walsh

By MATT BLOIS

At a work session Monday night, Spring Hill’s Planning Commission reviewed a plan that would bring more housing to the city as well as a new road connection with the potential to reduce traffic.

The proposed development in northern Spring Hill would add about 250 new homes to the city, and a new road connection. The plan for the Newport North Multi Family development would extend New Port Royal Road to Thompson’s Station Road.

Although this is not the first discussion of the plan– the commission already reviewed it last November– the commission will still not vote on it until their regular meeting.

New Port Royal Road currently hits a dead end. The development would add a new outlet to traffic heading north and south. Commissioner Matt Koss said that connecting those roads could help reduce traffic on Highway 31.

“I think we can all recognize that there’s a huge benefit to be gained with this connection, but only if it’s done correctly,” he said.

He had questions about the project’s traffic study. The new connection would draw in more drivers to the area trying to avoid traffic on Highway 31, and he wasn’t sure the traffic study addressed that issue.

City staff reviewed over a page of comments about the project at the meeting. Those comments included asking the developer, John Maher Builders, to provide bike lanes on New Port Royal Road and more dumpsters. It also asked for a plan laying out when the developer would have to finish certain road improvements.

Assistant City Manager Chuck Downham asked the developer to construct the extension of New Port Royal Road in the first phase of construction.

The same company is also proposing a 190 unit project called Newport Executive Condominiums. This development would sit just southwest of the Newport North Multi Family development. The two projects would share some amenities such as a pool, playground and dog park. The Planning Commission voted to approve an initial plan for that project on March 12.

The Planning Commission still has to vote on the plan at a regular meeting before it can be approved.