Jul

07

2017

From The Blog

Resort Submits Applications to Town to Enable Future Improvements

At its June meeting, the Town of Kiawah Planning Commission received nine applications for either a Zoning Ordinance text amendment, Zoning map amendment, or a Comprehensive Plan amendment from the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. These applications are the first step in obtaining Town Council approval, which will enable significant investment in additional and much improved resort amenities.

In this meeting, John Taylor from the Charleston County Planning Department first reviewed in detail each of the applications. Then Mark Permar, planning consultant for the resort, reviewed the purpose and intent of each application. The first amendment will enable a chapel to be built at the Sanctuary hotel just north of the conference center. This was recommended for approval.

The next three amendments concerned the addition of six cottages close to the Ocean Course clubhouse. In an existing 2010Development Agreement, 20 residential cottages in the vicinity are already allowed. After lengthy discussion, the commission tabled these applications pending further deliberations at a meeting scheduled for June 14. The concern was that the applications would unintentionally allow for cottages in other locations on the course at the termination of the Development Agreement. At the June 14 meeting, the resort outlined a process that would result in a new plat that would concentrate future residential development near the clubhouse.

The last five applications involved a total revitalization of West Beach Village. The amenities will include a new Cougar Point Golf Course clubhouse overlooking the 18th green (conceptualart pictured above). There will be a new inn on the former Kiawah Island Inn site and a new conference center where the West Beach Tennis Center is today. Tennis will be moved to an expanded East Beach Center. All of these applications were approved. These recommendations will be consider by the Town Council in a first reading at its July 11 meeting. For more information on upcoming town meetings, visit kiawahisland.org.

Article contributed by Digest Member Volunteer Bill Hindman.