The Town of Bluffton filed a lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas, 14th Judicial Circuit, against the developers of the Willow Run Tract for clear-cutting 98 percent of the trees on approximately 107.5 acres of the tract.
The lawsuits alleges the developers of the Willow Run Tract, Indian Hill Associates, LLC and their contractor, Broad River Timber, LLC, removed trees, in quantity and quality, which violated the Development Agreement entered into between the Town of Bluffton and Indian Hill Associates, LLC. In addition, the town alleges timber was unlawfully removed from a portion of property owned by the Town located adjacent to the Willow Run Tract. The tract is located at the south side of U.S. 278, across from Indian Hill Baptist Church in Bluffton (380 Fording Island Road). The property is proposed to be a mixed-use development with residential, retail, restaurants and possibly two hotels. The developer donated approximately 19.8 acres of the 163-acre parcel to the Town of Bluffton for municipal use, including affordable housing initiatives. The town is seeking actual and punitive damages, including the profits derived from the willful and wanton breach of the development agreement.
