Panel Approves Oyster Point Development

The controversial 593-home Oyster Point development planned for 200 acres at the end of Rifle Range Road is one step closer to town approval.

On Monday, the town council's planning committee voted unanimously to approve the project. Now it heads to the full council for a vote at an Aug. 14 meeting.

That vote is just a formality, since six of the council's eight members have already voted in favor of Oyster Point, either on the town's planning or annexation committee.

The proposal has generated criticism from some residents who say the large-scale development would strain traffic along Rifle Range Road, a corridor already congested.

"It took me 40 minutes (recently) to get from the Isle of Palms Connector to Ravens Run," said Peter Bernard, who lives in the upscale development bordering the Oyster Point project. "We're essentially under community arrest... It's a nighmare right now."

Residents also raised questions about potential environmental harm from the development and social impacts on the neighboring Gullah-Geechee community.

Though two of the councilmen expressed concerns about the project on Monday, they said their hands were tied. Oyster Point's developers were seeking annexation into the town and zoning for the project.

"There was a thought (in the community) that if this committee turned this project down, that would stop the property from getting water and sewer," said Councilman John Burn. "If this council were to refuse to annex, Waterworks is obligated to provide water and sewer."

Projects not currently annexed into the town that want water and sewer service must petition for annexation, according to town rules. The town can opt to reject the project, but if the property is adjacent to town lands and it fits into the town's comprehensive plan, Waterworks may still offer water and sewer service.

"I have some heartburn here, but I think we have the best option here for the town of Mount Pleasant," said Burn, who lives off Rifle Range Road. "If we let this one go, we lose all control."

Oyster Point already has approval to build roughly the same number of homes from Charleston County. Regardless of annexation, it could move forward with construction and the town of Mount Pleasant would gain no tax revenue.

The town would also lose the ability to force Oyster Point to mitigate traffic impacts. Already, the developer has agreed to pay for a turn lane at Six Mile and Rifle Range Road.

The developer has plans to start work on the project before the end of 2012, according to its town application. It has a three-year timetable for a complete build-out. D.R. Horton Homes, the largest home builder in the U.S., will develop the project.