The Charleston County Planning Commission has voted unanimously to disapprove a rezoning request for Storybook Farm, a property located at the intersection of Bees Ferry Road and Bear Swamp Road. The request, which would allow for the construction of a condo development, has sparked significant opposition from local residents and organizations concerned about the project’s impact on traffic, rural development, and the community.
Proposed Rezoning and Development Plans
The 10-acre property is currently zoned R-4, allowing for four homes per acre. The proposed rezoning would change the zoning to a planned development, permitting 14 homes per acre and totaling about 144 units. The development plan includes six four-story buildings designed to meet the growing demand for both workforce and market-rate housing, focusing on the “missing middle” price range.
Developers aim to sell the units, with prices starting around $300,000. Additionally, seven units will be designated as workforce housing, which means they will remain affordable even as market prices rise. The proposal also includes community gathering spaces and improved parking and access for the neighboring Light of Christ Ministries Church.
Local Opposition to the Rezoning
During the planning commission meeting, many residents and representatives from local organizations expressed their concerns about the proposed development. Emma Berry, the Communities and Transportation Project Manager for the Coastal Conservation League, argued that the development would violate the urban growth boundary, a designated line separating areas intended for urban development from rural areas.
Berry stated that approving such a change would increase density dramatically, from the current 40 units to over 140, potentially harming the rural character of the area.
Residents like LaDon Paige and Patricia Fair also raised concerns about the heavy traffic the development would bring, especially considering several other housing projects already underway in the area. Paige suggested that the property could be better used for a fire station, addressing the growing need for emergency services in the St. Andrews area.
Fair emphasized the already severe traffic congestion along Bees Ferry Road, which she believes would only worsen with the addition of the proposed development.
Concerns Over Historic and Cultural Impact
Other residents worried about the impact of the development on the nearby Red Top community, a historic African American settlement. While some expressed opposition to further development, Melody Dover, a representative of the Red Top community, stated that they were not entirely against the project.
She appreciated that the developers had included them in discussions and hoped that any negative effects, such as traffic or flooding, could be mitigated.
Developer’s Position
Bob Story, the property owner, supported the rezoning request, arguing that the development would offer more than just tract homes. He emphasized that the planned development would include greenspace and maintenance, ensuring a more attractive and sustainable project compared to standard housing.
Next Steps
Following the Planning Commission’s disapproval, the rezoning request will now move to a public hearing before the County Council committee on May 13. It will be discussed further by the Planning and Public Works Committee on May 22 before heading to the first reading by the County Council on May 27.
The decision on the rezoning request for Storybook Farm is still ongoing, with the final outcome to be decided in the coming weeks. The proposed condo development has sparked a strong debate between developers looking to meet housing demands and residents concerned about the effects of increased density, traffic, and cultural changes in the area.
