Johns Island retail, homes planned
Development still needs County Council approval
By Prentiss Findlay
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Beach Co. plans to develop 1,427 acres on Johns Island in a 20-year project that could create hundreds of jobs and pump millions of dollars into the local economy.
As planned, it will include 1,285 dwelling units, including single- family homes, townhomes and 117 units for workforce/affordable housing. In addition, there will be a maximum of 450 guest rooms in the form of hotels and villas.
The development would have 80,000 square feet of retail and office space, as well as a golf course. A wastewater treatment plant is planned, according to an executive summary of the project.
Charleston County Council held a public hearing on the development Tuesday night. Richard Thomas, who lives near the project, said he was concerned about more traffic aggravating already dangerous driving conditions. “People are killed and injured because of the way drivers drive out there,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he also worried that the project could pose a hazard to the marsh, creeks and bald eagles. “I don’t know where all that wastewater is going to go,” he said.
Johns Island resident Bill Saunders said, “We are being crushed. I was under the illusion that government looked out for everybody.” He said that he felt that the council had already decided in favor of the developer.
Tammy Hoy, director of the Lowcountry Housing Trust, praised the developer for including affordable housing for local workers.
Heidi Ravenel of Charleston, whose family owns 115 acres nearby, said, “We believe this is going to be a tremendous economic boon to the area.” Equestrian events at Mullet Hall are a big draw, but there’s no place to stay nearby, she said.
Even with the necessary government approvals, shovels would not go into the ground in the near future to start Kiawah River Plantation, said Kevin O’Neill, project manager for The Beach Company.
“We would not launch it in a poor market like what exists today. We certainly want it to be on the upswing,” O’Neill said. He said beginning work on the infrastructure is at least one year away. In another six to nine months, the first lots could be for sale, he said.
The Beach Company commissioned a study to estimate the economic impact of the proposed development on Charleston County. It was done by the Regional Dynamics and Economic Modeling Laboratory of Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs at Clemson University.
See an overview of the plan
Kiawah River Plantation (PDF)
The study concluded that the project during its 20-year life would generate approximately 900 jobs in Charleston County and an additional 1,500 jobs statewide.
The estimated average annual net fiscal gain to the county is forecast to be more than $16 million at project buildout, when total annual disposable income of all county residents is expected to increase by $29 million to $33 million.
The developers propose creation of a tax-increment financing district to fund the wastewater treatment plant, roads, sewers, stormwater facilities, parks and workforce housing.
According to the executive summary, the project seeks to preserve the natural environment, respect and enhance cultural resources, implement sustainable growth and provide a series of public parks, including one on the waterfront along most of the edge of the development centerpiece, River Village.
The development is committed to enhancing the Mullet Hall Equestrian Center and County Park, the summary said.
The property includes 732 acres of salt marsh and saltwater ponds as well as 187 acres of freshwater ponds and wetlands. The project could result in up to 169 boat and crab docks, according to an executive summary.
At least 50 percent of highland, or 635 acres, will be open space.
River Village, which will occupy about 20 percent of the highland, will have shops, the hotel rooms and 55 percent of the homes.
A market analysis predicts that 20 percent of homeowners will be those who buy second homes, 40 percent will be those who vacation and eventually retire there and 30 percent will be a mix of permanent and seasonal retirees.
For about 10 percent of homeowners, it will be a permanent, year-round residence.
Kiawah River Plantation, also know as Mullet Hall, was acquired by the Beach Co. in 1994 from the Limehouse family of Johns Island. At about the same time, the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission acquired 738 acres adjacent to the property, also from the Limehouse family.
The Mullet Hall Equestrian Center and Charleston Park are located on the CCPRC property.
County Council will hold another public hearing on the development at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 3.
