FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SPRINGFIELD, GA – June 15, 2026
The City Council of the City of Springfield has approved the first residential development with a “PUD” Zoning. The property is located on Hwy 119, approximately one mile west of Highway 21, and consists of seven parcels of approximately 116 acres in total. The property entrance is at Wilder Road and is referred to as the Wilder Road Project. The property will be developed by Coastal Cornerstone Development primarily as detached residential homes, with varied lot sizes, home sizes, and road widths.
The Wilder Road properties petitioned for annexation into Springfield and rezoning to “PUD” Planned Unit Development in April of this year. The public hearing to receive comments about the request was held on May 26th, 2026. As required by state and local ordinance, notice of the public hearing was posted on the property, at City Hall, in the Effingham Herald, on the City website, and on the City’s social media. Individual letters were also mailed to all property owners within 200 feet of the property boundary. The City Council voted on the annexation and rezoning request at their meeting on June 9, 2026. The motion to approve the Annexation of the property into the City of Springfield and to rezone the property to “PUD” was passed by a majority vote of 4 to 2.
“PUD’s” or Planned Unit Developments, are a unique zoning method that allows developers to create their own zoning and development standards for a piece of property. Each property within the City has a zoning designation and any development or construction on that property must follow the rules of that zoning district. Erin Phillips, the Planning and Development Director of the City of Springfield stated, “The PUD process lets the developer create their own zoning rules. Items like road widths, density, lot minimums, landscaping, and housing design can be chosen to create a unique property development that you would not be able to achieve with standard zoning.”
While many PUD developments may mix uses, the Wilder Road Project will be only residential homes. The property developers, Coastal Cornerstone, requested multiple workshops with the City throughout 2025 and 2026 to receive feedback from the council members and staff, and to better understand the future needs of the community. “We are excited to finally see this project come to life. From the very beginning, our team at Coastal Cornerstone Development has been committed to listening to the City of Springfield and building something the entire community can be proud of. Our goal has been that this wouldn’t be just another residential development — but that it would be a neighborhood designed to feel like it has always belonged here.” said Coastal Cornerstone Co-founder Bryant Ligon.
According to the approved PUD document, the property will offer detached single-family homes with a variety of lot sizes, ranging in size from 40 to 80-feet wide. There is also the option of creating duplex homes on the larger 80-foot lots. The regulations include architectural design standards that are more strict than any current zoning district. In addition, the roadways will require street trees, streetlights, and sidewalks. Restrictive Covenants are also required.
Residents of the area expressed concerns at the public hearing held on May 26th. Comments regarding increased traffic congestion, loss of woodland areas, and buffering were the most common. Mayor Ricky Eilerman presided over the public hearing. “I understand and respect the concerns many residents have regarding growth, especially when that growth is close to home. I also understand the very real impact new development can have on traffic, schools, and the overall character of our community.” states Eilerman.
Coastal Cornerstone stated a traffic study would be required by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to assess the development’s impact on the current roadway and determine any necessary improvements. The development intends to provide a 50-foot undisturbed buffer around the perimeter and preserved, or improved, green space will be a part of the design.
“The recent growth in Springfield, and Effingham County in general, is more than anyone could have anticipated”, says Phillips. The Mayor, Council, and staff have invested much of their recent time and energy into planning Springfield’s future. The rise in land prices and the lack of affordable housing are issues that are difficult to solve without thinking outside of the box and considering new ideas. The City of Springfield looks forward to continuing to work with Coastal Cornerstone on their development concept in hopes of creating a neighborhood that meets the housing needs of the community and still retains the charm of living in Springfield.
“This is about taking the best step toward responsible growth while protecting the community we all call home. I believe this approach gives the City the opportunity to guide development thoughtfully, rather than allow unchecked building that could have a far greater impact on our landscape, roads, and quality of life.” says Eilerman.
For more information about the Wilder Road Project and current PUD guidelines, please reach out to the planning department at Springfield City Hall.