RINCON, Ga. () — Tuesday, people who live on Magnolia Drive in Rincon shared their concerns with News 3 about a construction site across the street.

According to the official Rincon City Council minutes from February 24, 2024, the 1.18 acres is located at 0 Magnolia Drive. At their following meeting, council approved the parcel be rezoned from R2 (single-family and duplex residential) to B-2 (general commercial). The land is owned by Keith & Joy Woods with BKB Properties LLC, according to council minutes.

previously reported that residents have been trying to prevent commercial development in the neighborhood for years. The property and what to do with it has been the cause of controversy for years. Residents voiced their concerns for this rezoning in February but it was still approved.

Residents like Jason and Nikki Carangelo are mainly worried about water coming from the construction site, which appears to be flowing into their pond behind the site. Their pond then flows into Dasher Creek.

According to Jason, they pulled several dead fish from their pond just a few weeks after tree clearing at 0 Magnolia Drive began. “We’ve lived here ten years. We’ve used the pond the whole time. The kids love it. They fish in it. They boat on it. They use the water for gardening. We also just like looking at the pond. We don’t even do that anymore. It’s just ruined.”

Courtney Monroe is a friend of the Carangelo family. She said there are dozens of other residents who are just as concerned. “It doesn’t just become a neighborhood problem. It’s like long term for the entire community. There’s enough money in Effingham County, that all this rapid development, they can give us transparency. They can give us good planning, not poor planning. They can give us the accountability that we deserve, because we pay that much here.”

Some people are also concerned that you can walk right up to the construction zone. According to one resident, there is no fence or tarp blocking the 16 children and several animals in the neighborhood from entering. However, there is black lining separating the site from other businesses.

There are rumors about what is being built on the property but the city hasn’t confirmed what the project is. A spokesperson said will have a response from the city on this matter this Thursday.

News 3 also reached out to the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) about residents’ concerns. Stay with for updates.