Do You Like This New Signage?

Town council has tentatively approved plans for a new type of signage at the massive Carolina Park development.

The northern Highway 17 development, which will include residential, commercial and retail tracts, has received approval for four groupings of roofed, lattice-like structures that could be up to 25 feet tall and 35 feet wide at their largest points.

"The signs are intended to be a tasteful and unique way to identify the retailers and businesses located within Carolina Park," the developer wrote in its application.

Two sign groupings will be located on Hwy. 17 at the northern and southern borders of the development. The second is planned at Hwy. 17 and Carolina Park Boulevard at the entrance to Wando High School. The fourth is located at Hwy. 17 and Faison Road.

The developer plans to locate up to four of the structures at its four so-called "monument parks" and the council committee tentatively green-lighted commercial signage for retailers and restaurants, at all the groupings, sans the Wando High entrance. The developer did not ask for commercial signage at that location.

"This structure's dimensions will not exceed a 20 foot by 35 foot footprint and a 25 foot ridge height," the developer wrote in its application. "Each of the commercial signage structures will be allowed to have signs on two of the four sides, with up to four retailers allowed on the long facade and up to three retailers on the short facade."

The structures stand in place of the typical stone, brick or stucco markers that advertise business names or entries to neighborhoods that are commonly found all over Mount Pleasant.

"It looks a little like a barn, and I like that rural feel for that part of town," said Councilwoman Linda Page, referring to the northern Highway 17 location of Carolina Park.

But the committee stressed they are not giving permission for billboards, and that prior to actual construction, the developer will need to present actual plans and schematics for review by the town.

The four-member council committee approved the request Monday. The full town council votes on the proposal on February 14.