COASTAL OBSERVER

While sweeping changes are underway along former industrial sites on the Georgetown waterfront, a plan to redevelop one of the city’s oldest commercial sites has drawn opposition from residents who say it will change the character of the community.

The city Planning Commission last week voted to recommend that City Council deny a zoning change that would allow residential development around the former Independent Seafood docks at the end of Cannon Street.

The rezoning request would create a “master planned residential district” from seven parcels on 3.4 acres that have three different owners. It would allow the creation of five single-family lots around the former seafood market, including two on property which is currently zoned for commercial use. It would allow up to seven multi-family units. That property is owned by a limited liability company whose principal is Buddy Hucks.

Property owned by Margaret Tarbox, which contains a historic home, would be used for multi-family units. The house will be preserved.

A waterfront commercial tract owned by the LCC is proposed for a marina office and commercial or multi-family development.

A commercial tract that is owned by the Post and  Courier newspaper through a subsidiary is proposed for a hotel or multi-family development with some retail and restaurant uses.

The city has an agreement with the LLC for public access to the waterfront on Cannon Street and public dock space at a future marina.

The development will provide a transition between commercial activity on Front Street and the homes in the historic district, said Dan Stacy, the attorney representing the property owners.

“The creep of commercial development on Front Street will stop” at the newspaper’s property, which is now the site of the Harborwalk Marina, he said.

Stacy pointed out that one of the commercial tracts is mostly vacant and could be used for up to 49 residential units and a dry stack marina.

“We don’t want that to happen,” he said.

The owners have worked for three years to come up with a proposal that would meet the concerns of residents, Stacy said.

Residents told the commission they still have those concerns. Chief among them is that the plan lacks details about future uses outside the proposed single-family homes. Some questioned whether it meets the standard for a planned development.

Kim Shell said there is an immediate benefit to the developer of the single-family lots, but no obligation for owners of the other parcels to follow through with the development.

Stacy acknowledged that the lots would be created quickly, but said the Post and Courier needed more time to come up with a defined project.

Jean Rothrock said there is no multi-family development in the area now. The development will “change the fabric” of the historic district, she said.

She also pointed out that the purpose of commercial uses in a residential planned development is to serve the residents themselves.

Connie Bull said she was concerned that there is no maximum number for the proposed multi-family units.

And she told the commission, “I am offended by this threat of using a portion of the property for a dry stack.”

Jay Doyle, a candidate for mayor, said the city needed to see a plan.

“If the city does not know what will be built, how can they assess the infrastructure?” he asked.

He also raised concerns about drainage, running over his four-minute comment period to show photos of recent flooding.

Raad Joseph, who chairs the commission, asked him to wrap up.

When Doyle continued, Joseph asked staff to contact the police.

“You’ve been kicked out of meetings before,” Joseph told him. “Please respect the meeting.”

Doyle sat down and the meeting resumed after a short break.

The rezoning also drew opposition from the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, which has a visitors center in an antebellum house that it moved to the Post and Courier property in 2002.

The chamber has a 50 year lease that will expire in another 27 years.

“Whatever plans are being made must include the preservation of the building,” said Mark Stevens, the director of tourism development for the chamber.

Stevens, a former editor of the Georgetown Times, which is owned by the Post and Courier, said it was a former Times publisher who proposed moving the historic home.

Hamlin O’Kelley, the chamber’s attorney, said they met with the landlord about the development. “It did not go well,” he said. The rezoning “is basically going to get rid of the chamber.”

Stacy told the commission the chamber’s lease isn’t affected by the rezoning. It’s an issue between the chamber and the newspaper.

He said the development plan is long-term and can’t include specific uses that are driven by market conditions.

Joseph moved to approve the rezoning. It failed 4-2.

Cary Farrow moved to recommend denial. It passed 4-2.

The issue now goes to City Council.

Correction: This article was corrected from the print version to reflect the votes were 4-2, not 5-2. Commission Member Graham Osteen recused him.