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Restaurant owner Wilbert Roller Jr., however, wasn't there. He was at a public hearing listening to Beaufort County officials and those who live near the landing voice their opposition to his plans for a larger dock. The hearing was hosted by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Roller and the county have been involved in a series of legal disputes related to the restaurant, the parking lot and the dock since the early 1990s. Roller's family bought the property about 40 years ago. He first announced plans for the restaurant in 1987.
County officials said Wednesday they thought the legal issues were put to rest when a court settlement earlier this year allowed Roller to build the property as permitted, as long as the restaurant and accompanying traffic didn't interfere with public use of the county-owned boat landing.
In May, Roller submitted an application to the state to increase the size of the pier, add a roof, increase the size of the floating dock, and add a 14-foot-by-16-foot boatlift.
When the county learned of those proposed changes, Beaufort County Council chairman Weston Newton sent a letter to DHEC on May 29 detailing 11 objections to Roller's request.
Among them, Newton cited concerns the larger dock would impede navigation and pose safety hazards.
Newton asked the state to hold a public hearing on the requested changes. About 14 people attended the meeting Wednesday. Newton was not there due to a scheduling conflict, said county administrator Gary Kubic who spoke on his behalf.
"Now it is clear to us that Mr. Roller never intended to proceed as he originally indicated," Kubic said. "Instead, he chose to withhold his master plan for this site because he knew ... that we would strongly object to it."
Kubic asked the state to deny the requests.
Roller, who did not speak at the meeting, declined comment.
DHEC officials said they would review public input and issue a decision after July 23.
