Mount Pleasant Town Council Denies Rezoning Request for Towne Centre
Mount Pleasant, SC – In a recent decision, town leaders have chosen to deny a proposal for rezoning the Towne Centre, a popular retail space in the heart of Mount Pleasant. The discussions around the future of the area have been ongoing for several months, particularly after the closure of Bed, Bath & Beyond, which spurred concerns regarding the potential for large buildings to remain vacant.
Michele Reed, the town’s director of planning, shared that the town wanted to proactively explore various redevelopment options to ensure the area remains vibrant and usable. “There were real concerns about some of those large buildings could someday be vacant, so they wanted to kind of think ahead and plan for different redevelopment scenarios,” she explained.
A Bold Proposal by Continental Realty Corp.
The proposal, submitted by Continental Realty Corp., included ambitious plans to add new apartments, a hotel, and additional retail space to the Towne Centre. The heights of the proposed buildings were quite striking, standing at a significant 75 feet. This raised eyebrows among residents, leading to lively discussions about whether such developments were in line with the community’s desires.
One local business employee, Benjamin Marhefka, who works at TCBY in the Towne Centre, voiced his concerns about the proposal, especially regarding the addition of large structures in an already bustling area. “I think that maybe a hotel might be a bit too much because we already have that big hotel over there and I know around the slow seasons now it’s pretty much useless,” he mentioned, indicating that the local market might not be able to support yet another hotel.
Community Input and Ongoing Concerns
Throughout the decision-making process, the Town Council held a series of ten meetings and public hearings to gather input from residents. While some adjustments were made to the original proposition, including lowering the building height and introducing more greenspace, many community members still expressed apprehension about the pitfalls of new development in Mount Pleasant.
Marhefka pointed out a potential problem, stating, “If they completely erase all the parking spots for like other businesses, I think that’s going to be a big problem because I’ll see the parking lot like jam-packed on Saturdays.” This reflection captures a common worry amongst locals: that increasing development might lead to parking shortages, especially during peak shopping times.
Remaining Cautious
Despite the planned adjustments, most council members, along with Mayor Will Haynie, conveyed their reluctance about moving forward with the rezoning request in its current form. They emphasized the importance of having a solid plan that clearly outlines what the community can expect. Reed reiterated their stance, stating, “Council really wants to see a solid plan that they know exactly what they’re getting so that the people of the town know what they’re getting, and they can really make a sound vote on this proposal.”
Looking Ahead
So while the current request has been denied, the door isn’t completely closed. It’s possible that a new version of the proposal could appear before the Town Council in the coming months. Residents will likely continue to express their views, making it clear that they care deeply about the future of their community.
Mount Pleasant remains a sought-after area with a rich blend of commercial and residential activity, and how its spaces evolve will undoubtedly influence its character for years to come. The community and town leaders are listening and working together to find the best path forward.
