Residents push back against new developments in Buckwalter area. ‘We have no say.’
A large marketplace and outdoor music pavilion planned along Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton has many neighbors worried about noise, traffic and drainage as the development nears final approval.
Advertised as May River Marketplace (previously called Old Town Marketplace), the development is expected to rise in a part of Bluffton bustling with new growth: near the Woodbrige neighborhood and the condos at The Reserve at Woodbridge.
Last month, Bluffton’s Planning Commission approved the project’s preliminary development plan, but required two things of Loftin-Moore, the developer, for the follow-up meeting: a letter of community support and a sound impact study. Three days after the meeting, the president of the Woodbridge Property Owners Association wrote a scathing letter to the planning commission opposing the development.
The developer had told the planning commission that residents supported the project. The letter made it clear some don’t.
Now, the legality of the two requirements appears to be in doubt. The commission is expected to get legal advice on whether it had authority to require the developer to provide the letter of community support and a sound impact study, according to the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting. The agenda shows the commission could vote to remove the two requirements.
The marketplace, with a restaurant, shops, 250-spot parking lot and music pavilion (previously advertised as an amphitheater), has been in the works since last year. It will be less than a mile from Buckwalter Place and is planned across the street from the ongoing 35-acre Washington Square project and Lowcountry Fresh Market & Cafe.
The letter opposing the development, written by Woodbridge POA President Dave Smith, said the marketplace would be “detrimental” to the Woodbridge neighborhood — a community of “average, middle class people.”
Smith’s letter cited five reasons for his opposition:
▪ Noise created from the outdoor pavilion. “Any kind of open musical venue right outside the gate of a residential community does not makes sense,” the letter said.
▪ “Uncontrolled traffic” created by the development. The marketplace will increase the number of cars traveling by the 368-home Woodbridge neighborhood.
▪ Maintenance of the Woodbridge entrance. The Woodbridge POA would still be required to maintain the landscaping of the neighborhood’s entrance if the development is approved.
▪ Water run-off and drainage issues will increase with the new development.
▪ The large, commercial look of the marketplace will hurt property values.
Smith’s letter, first reported by Bluffton Today, said homeowners in Woodbridge have worked hard to maintain their property values, and the proposed marketplace is a big project right next to their homes.
“We believe that while the idea behind this project could be good for Bluffton, we do not believe that this is the proper location for it and strongly urge you to vote against it,” the letter said. “We do not think anyone would want this type of venue right outside the gate to their residential community.”
Kimberly Hart, a Woodbridge POA board member, said it would be “really sad” if the planning commission approves the marketplace as planned. She worries about the impact on traffic and noise emanating from the music pavilion.
“We have no say when it comes to Bluffton’s building,” she said. “What they’ve done to this part of Buckwalter is horrible with no regard to Woodbridge.”
Kelly Little of Loftin-Moore LLC did not respond to an email for comment Monday.
In a conference call with a reporter Monday, Bluffton spokesperson Debbie Szpanka said opposition to growth and development was a “recurring theme” in the town.
“Everyone’s entitled to a voice. Not everyone’s entitled to a vote,” she said. “The people that have the vote are the people that own the land and the regulators.”
Called Monday, Planning Commission Chair Amanda Jackson Denmark said she was advised by the town’s legal staff not to comment on the development or why the commission planned to amend its approval of the project.
Bluffton’s Planning Commission will consider the project at its next meeting on Wednesday.
This story was originally published April 27, 2021 at 4:30 AM.
