Multifamily complex proposed for Mitchelville oceanfront. What to know
A 45-unit, oceanfront development has been proposed for Mitchelville Road on Hilton Head Island, promising luxury amenities and 270-degree views of the water.
Beaufort firm Architecture 101 is leading the effort to bring multifamily housing to the previously undeveloped tract of land in Mitchelville, the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in America. The property was sold by Charles Bertrand to Hilton Head Island Beachfront LLC for $1.36 million in 2019.
Architect Steve Stowers said he intends for the complex to be “a very high-end establishment that should really upscale the housing offerings on Hilton Head.”
He said he does not intend for them to be used for workforce housing — affordable housing for people who work on the island, including teachers, firefighters and hospitality workers. Many advocates have called on the town to prioritize the development of workforce housing on the island, given that many workers commute hours to and from work because they can’t find affordable housing on the island.
Stowers said he believes in workforce housing, but the oceanfront is not the right location for it.
“You are not going to find oceanfront workforce housing,” Stowers said. “You’ll find that hospitality and tourism money is always going to find its way to the water.”
He noted that he had been part of workforce housing projects on the island, including the One Park Lane apartments on the island’s south end.
Chris Christon, a Hilton Head Island resident and member of the business workforce coalition sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, noted that the town council has not passed specific solutions to the workforce housing crisis.
“It’s hard to oppose a luxury housing complex when the town has not put in place mechanisms to support workforce housing development,” Christon said. “It would be to everybody’s necessity and advantage that there is more workforce housing on the island.”
In early August, town manager Steve Riley announced that the town had mailed letters to 4,300 affected property owners notifying them that the town wanted to change its rules to allow workforce housing to be built in some zoning districts.
Last week, the Town Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend Town Council approve the changes and create a workforce housing program. A Town Council briefing on the workforce housing amendments will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 15.
The Mitchelville district, on the north end of the island, is one of the zones in which workforce housing would be allowed under the proposed changes. Areas around Mitchelville Road — including the lot where the multifamily complex is proposed to be built — have been highlighted as possible locations for workforce housing on a map released by town staff.
According to town zoning documents, the purpose of the Mitchelville district is to “recognize the historical and cultural significance of this area of the Island.” Multifamily housing complexes are allowed.
Stowers said he was aware of the Gullah history and tradition in Mitchelville and that his project would reflect it.
“We are respectful of history there,” he said.
In the initial design submitted to the Town’s Design Review Board for conceptual approval, developers envisioned the complex including three four-story buildings with parking on the ground level. The largest building would have the main amenities, and the small buildings would each hold four units facing the beach. Anchoring the complex from the center would be a pool. Whether the units would be apartments or condominiums had not been determined yet, Stowers said.
The Design Review Board provided Stowers with feedback Friday on the design, expressing concern with the large scale of the project, the tree removal plans and the height of the buildings. Chair Michael Gentemann recommended Architecture 101 withdraw its proposal and create a new one responsive to the board’s suggestions before coming back for approval. Stowers agreed to do so and said he expects to have the design revised for the Sept. 22 meeting.
