Restaurant can keep its pier into Mackays Creek, state panel rules

The expanded dock at the Sea Trawler Restaurant in Buckingham Landing can stay, despite numerous objections from Beaufort County officials and nearby residents.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Board on Wednesday upheld an earlier decision that restaurant owner Wilbert Roller can keep the larger dock, which extends into Mackays Creek.

The state Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management in August granted Roller the right to increase the size of the pier to 20 feet by 20 feet, add a roof, increase the size of the floating dock to 20 feet and add a 14-by-16-foot boat lift.

County officials appealed, arguing in part that the larger dock would impede navigation and pose safety hazards. The county lost that appeal Wednesday.

Roller and the county have been involved in a series of legal disputes related to the Buckingham Landing property since the early 1990s. Roller's family bought the property about 40 years ago. He first announced plans for the restaurant in 1987.

Earlier this year, a court settlement with the county allowed Roller to build on the property as permitted, as long as the restaurant and traffic it attracts don't interfere with public use of the county-owned boat landing.

David Tedder, Roller's attorney, said Thursday his client was pleased with the outcome of the hearing.

"This settles the matter between us," he said of Roller and the county. "Now, we can go on living together."

County administrator Gary Kubic could not be reached for comment.

Marti Covington