City of Beaufort moves forward with apartment moratorium proposal

by Aaron Dixon

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - Beaufort city leaders are moving forward with a temporary moratorium on apartment units.

City officials say the pause will give them time to assess the impacts of more apartments on the city and prepare for future growth.

What the proposal entails

The city’s planning commission has approved more than 1,000 apartment units, scheduled to be built over the next several years.

Under the proposal, those projects can move forward.

However, a majority of future projects would have to wait.

Some of those exceptions include plans by Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust and Beaufort Memorial to build affordable housing and workforce housing options.

City growing by the year

Beaufort County and cities like Beaufort are growing by the year.

“Well, the secret’s out. We’ve been found,” Beaufort city manager Scott Marshall said. “People like to come here for several reasons: We have great weather, we have great scenery, and we have low taxes.”

In Beaufort, more than 3,000 apartment units have been developed over the last three years, compared with just over 5,000 that were standing when the last census was taken.

Marshall said the increase was a little faster than expected.

“There’s a general concern right now that the infrastructure is not keeping up with the development,” Marshall said.

Residents, council respond

Some residents agree.

“Our roadways are stressed, our workforce is stressed, our schools are stressed, and fire and police departments are needing to continually hire more support,” a resident said.

City leaders say the moratorium will give the city time to prepare for any future growth and look at the impact more apartment units could bring to the city.

Originally, officials proposed a six-month pause but have since extended that.

“I would like to extend the moratorium from six months to nine months,” Beaufort city councilman Josh Scallate said.

During the pause, city leaders say it will also allow them to review their comprehensive plan and consider potential changes to their development regulations having to do with apartment units.