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The Beach Co. begins Scotts Creek land annexation
By Rachel Pleasant
Staff Writer
The Beach Co. cleared the first hurdle to annex 40 acres of land into the town of Mount Pleasant, making way for its latest residential project.
Scotts Creek, a neighborhood that will include 71 homes, received a recommendation for approval from the town’s planning commission late last month.
The Scotts Creek site, currently unincorporated land, is off Rifle Range Road near Ben Sawyer Boulevard.
The Beach Co. has been through similar annexation processes on several occasions. The most important thing in achieving approval is making sure your development fits in with the municipality’s master plan, says Kent Johnson, vice president of development and acquisitions for The Beach Co.
That is the case with Scotts Creek.
“The town has a comprehensive master plan for all the property in the urban-planning area,” Johnson says. “They had a predetermined use for this property. When you file an application to annex, you have to look at your proposed use and see how it fits in with the master plan. They had planned low-density residential, and we’re coming in with low-density residential. It’s well in keeping with their intentions.”
The reason for seeking annexation into Mount Pleasant, says Johnson, boils down to receiving public utilities.
As part of the annexation process, The Beach Co. conducted a study of Scotts Creek’s potential impact on the area. The study, submitted to the town, showed it would not have any significant impact on traffic, schools and public services in the area, including police and fire services.
With the annexation process underway, Johnson says all his company can do now is wait for the annexation to become final.
“It can take six months to get annexation done,” he says. “It’s a fairly extensive review by the town before they annex you.”
Christiane Farrell, Mount Pleasant’s planning and engineering chief, says Scotts Creek could receive approval by October.
“The first step is the planning commission, and they make a recommendation for approval. Then it goes to the planning committee. Because this one has an impact assessment, there’s a 30-day delay to give them a chance to read it,” Farrell says.
The planning committee will most likely make a recommendation to the town council in September, and in October the council will have a final reading on the project.
Should construction begin later this year, it would mostly entail infrastructure within the neighborhood. Home sites won’t be released until spring, says Kristen Reeves, director of marketing for the company.
The 71 homes will be built on lots ranging in size from one-third acre to one acre.
“Our marketing strategy is to create a higher-end, larger lot luxury subdivision,” Johnson says. The Beach Co. could not provide a price range estimate for Scotts Creek homes.
Johnson would not compare Scotts Creek to any other developments in The Beach Co.’s portfolio and stressed it will not compete with other neighborhoods in the area.
“It’s going to be more expensive housing,” he says.
Rachel Pleasant is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail her at rpleasant@charlestonbusiness.com.
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