Will businesses be allowed along the Spanish Moss Trail?

Nick Gregoire wants to take back his backyard, which is currently overrun by bicycles.

He might have his way if Beaufort moves forward with a proposal to allow certain businesses to operate along the next phase of the Spanish Moss Trail.

Gregoire runs his bike-rental business, Slowcountry Rentals, from his Burroughs Avenue home and recently asked the city about opening a space along the trail. The city is now considering allowing certain uses such as bike rentals and cafes in the Depot area of the trail.

"I see the amount of traffic on that trail is just getting better and better, and more people are using it," Gregoire said. "But it's blazing hot. They've got a water fountain out there, but how nice would it be to have a place you can stop in and get a cold bottle of water?"

The Beaufort County-owned trail will eventually stretch 13.6 miles and connect Port Royal to Whale Branch. The wide, concrete path on trail's finished portions draws cyclists, runners, walkers and families and includes expansive views of the water and marsh.

The Depot area is currently zoned limited industrial and would require amending the unified development code to allow conditional uses.

"You could open a jellyball plant, but couldn't rent a bike," city planning director Libby Anderson said at a public hearing about the proposal last week. "You could mix asphalt, but not sip a latte."

There would be conditions to the potential businesses such as limited operating hours, no alcohol or drive-thrus and lighting standards.

During the public hearing, two residents of the nearby neighborhood said the area should remain as it is, that they didn't want additional activity and that they have had problems with people entering the neighborhood from the trail.

Supporters noted that few have complaints about the trail and that more eyes on the area couldn't hurt.

"I see it benefiting people who use the trail, not drawing a lot more traffic," Gregoire said.

Gregoire delivers bikes to customers, rented by the hour, day or month. They can also pick up a bike from him for a short ride to the Spanish Moss Trail or downtown.

"It's been a good system so far, but I've got 30 bikes in my backyard," he said. They're hidden, but I'd like to have my backyard back."

At least one other trail has found success with small business.

In Travelers Rest, cyclists, runners and walkers can step off the Swamp Rabbit Trail and right up to the door of Sunrift Adventures, an outdoor shop that is one of many businesses along the trail.

The trail spans 20 miles of an old railway corridor, much like the Spanish Moss Trail, starting south of Greenville and running through downtown and to the other side of Travelers Rest. A recent impact study showed the trail draws a half million users each year.

The trail has been a boon for the area, but especially Travelers Rest, a small Upstate town that blossomed when the trail came through. A number of businesses popped up along the trail, including a brewery.

Sunrift rents bicycles and sells snacks and drinks.

"It's nonstop," Sunrift projects manager Guy Thorsby said.

As for litter concerns, Thorsby said a truck comes through to empty a can once a day. Signage on the trail encourages users not to litter and the typical trail user knows to keep the area clean, Thorsby said.

Greenville faced some of the same public concerns raised here, said J.J. Ellenburg, an employee at TTR Bikes in Greenville that has a location a couple hundred yards from the trail.

"For the most part, the increase in traffic and the trash problem and the increase in crime -- it just didn't happen," said Ellenburg, who noted that Greenville County Sheriff's Office employs three full-time patrolmen on the trail.

Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.

Related content:

• Boundary Street, Spanish Moss Trail plans moving ahead after delays , April 29, 2015
• Spanish Moss Trail addition hits snag , March 18, 2015
• Missing Spanish Moss Trail section to be completed this year , Feb. 17, 2015

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 7:18 AM with the headline "Will businesses be allowed along the Spanish Moss Trail?."