The controversial $65 million Water Walk development along the shores of Lake Murray finally has a green light.

At the Sept. 17 meeting, the Irmo Town Council gave first reading approval to a revised development agreement ordinance, and the rezoning of 11 properties totaling 65.12 acres from General Commercial, General Residential and Fringe Agricultural to Mixed Use. The two ordinances will require a second reading for final approval.

The development would occupy land along Dreher Shoals Road, and include more than 300 single-family homes and town houses. Plans also call for 13 acres of commercial space that would include dining and retail options. Developers also hope to have a small boutique hotel with a rooftop patio to provide a venue for community events, weddings and celebrations.

The development plan underwent some revisions after originally being rejected by the council. The revised plan was approved by the Irmo Planning Commission and received a recommendation of approval from the town staff.

The plan continued to come under fire during a public hearing at the Sept. 17 meeting, with repeated concerns about the impact the new development would have on traffic in the area. Some citizens urged the council to put off any action until a traffic study is completed.

“Muskrat Run can’t handle the traffic,” said a resident who lives on the road near the development site.

Another resident said Salem Church Road would also have problems because it only has one entrance and one outlet.

Suggestions that the town was accepting the project because the developers agreed to make $1,000 per unit payments to the town to help provide for expanded services did not persuade the council to accept the project,  Mayor Bill Danielson said at the meeting.

Councilman Erik Sickinger said the choice to allow the new developments is better than allowing the properties to continue through the present process. He said the current plan allows the town to specify property requirements which would better control the new developments if they continued through normal processes.

Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman expressed concerns that the project may have too many rentals.

During a discussion before the vote, council members were informed that contract negotiations will address the major concerns about the new development. Town staff will be reviewing the development to make sure it complies with safety rules and regulations.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Assistant Town Administrator Doug Bolen said the town recommended approval of the plan after the developer agreed to some changes from the original proposal.

The changes made by developer Material Capital Partners did not affect the major scope of the project. Bolen said the developer agreed to requests by town staff to make changes in lot sizes, setbacks for housing and for the time frame for new business developments.

During the Sept. 17 meeting, Danielson said the town will allow the development to move forward, but noted that problems could occur as the undertaking continues. He said everything would be closely monitored.

“We will take all of your feedback,” he told citizens who raised concerns about the project.

The revised plan faced a legal challenge from Irmo resident Adam Raynor, who said the town can’t reject a development proposal, and then turn around and allow a revised proposal. He described the effort as a “procedural shortcut” that favors the developer.

But in response to Raynor’s request for a restraining order at an Aug. 30 hearing before Judge Daniel Coble, Irmo Attorney William Edwards argued that the town council has the authority to approve or reject the planning commission’s Aug. 12 recommendation, and nothing in the town ordinance or state law prohibits a developer from revising their plans before that process is complete.

Judge Coble sent out a notice Sept. 3 rejecting Raynor’s request. He said a temporary restraining order is a “drastic measure” and the plaintiff had not provided enough evidence that it is needed Raynor’s initial lawsuit is still pending.

When asked what his next step will be, Raynor said he is seeking a declaratory judgement to obtain the status of his legal actions.