Bluffton residents have expressed mixed but significant concerns about proposed zoning changes, reflecting issues of community impact, safety, and growth management.
Community Opposition to Apartment Developments
At a Bluffton Planning Commission meeting in July 2025, residents opposed plans to build a large apartment complex (360 units) on land previously used for a golf course driving range. The main concerns were traffic congestion on key roads like Bluffton Parkway and Buckwalter Parkway, risks to safety near schools and daycares, and the negative impact on the character of an established single-family home community. Residents submitted petitions and voiced strong opposition to allowing apartments in their neighborhood, fearing safety and quality-of-life declines.​
Concerns Over Infrastructure and Growth
Public discussions about zoning changes also highlight the challenge of balancing growth with infrastructure capacity. Bluffton plans to accommodate more housing due to projections of population growth by 2050, with strategies like more high-density housing and mixed-use zoning to maximize land use. However, infrastructure concerns such as roads, public services, and walkability are key issues raised in community input, alongside efforts to maintain Bluffton’s historic character. Public participation has emphasized the need for careful infrastructure planning alongside zoning updates.​
Public Engagement and Transparency
Zoning proposals often undergo formal public hearings where residents can ask questions and provide feedback. Comments, emails, and petitions from property owners and nearby residents inform decisions by the Planning Commission and Town Council. The level of community involvement in Bluffton zoning discussions indicates a high degree of civic engagement, with residents actively participating in shaping the town’s development patterns.​​
Bluffton residents largely express concern about increased density, traffic, and infrastructure stress from zoning changes, particularly those allowing large apartment complexes in single-family neighborhoods. Community feedback favors controlled, well-planned growth with attention to safety and maintaining local character.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqf9HdEVzCE)
[2](https://www.blufftonicon.com/news/2024/08/20/bluffton-beyond-tomorrow-part-4-infrastructure)
[3](https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=BLUFFTONSC&me=11233a4ef350498d92a1ff5d05cec94b&ip=True)
[4](https://engage.cityoffortwayne.org/bluffton-lower-huntington-rd-rezoning)
[5](https://beaufortcountysc.new.swagit.com/videos/341028)
