WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro council chambers glowed with a soft yellow light on Tuesday night. The city council and planning commission came together to review a project that could change the local housing market.
“We’ve been learning, over the last year specifically, about the true deficit that exists in housing,” said Councilman Terry Short Jr. “The ability to have an array of different housing stock for folks to choose from and for is important and timely. At the same time, to relieve the city of long-term, future liabilities, and to act upon that now, makes a whole lot of sense.”
Where did the land come from?
The new development begins with Sheri Smith, trustee for the Sheri Legendre Smith Revocable Trust. According to a Waynesboro City Council agenda briefing, the city entered into an agreement with Smith in 2000 – the city would receive the 147 acres upon her death.
“Prior visions pegged Smith Farm’s 147 acres for donation to the city in ‘as-is’ condition – including abandoned structures and the Old District Home – and subject to deed restrictions that would limit the use of the property to passive recreational parkland and conservation lands,” reads the Tuesday planning commission agenda packet.