Port Royal weighs six-month moratorium on new multi-family developments to manage growth

PORT ROYAL, S.C. (WTOC) - Town leaders in Port Royal are looking to hit the pause button on new multi-family housing developments as they work to map out the community’s future growth.

The Port Royal Town Council is considering a six-month moratorium on future multi-family projects.

The proposal, discussed during a town council workshop, is designed to give town staff and elected leaders more time to plan for rapid development.

Currently, approximately 1,000 housing units are either planned, under construction, or nearing completion within the town limits.

Under the proposed moratorium, those active projects would be allowed to proceed, but any future plans for multi-family developments would have to wait.

Planning for the Future

The proposed freeze comes as Port Royal reviews its comprehensive plan, which guides the town’s development and growth over the next five years. Like many other Lowcountry communities, Port Royal has experienced a massive influx of new residents.

Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips said that while he loves seeing the town grow, he wants to ensure that growth is handled responsibly.

Key concerns include ensuring the town’s infrastructure can support the expansion and preserving the quality of life for current residents.

“The last thing we would want is for something to get submitted during that process and then, at the end of this process, what was submitted is in complete opposition to and contradiction of what comes out [of it],” Mayor Phillips said of the comprehensive plan review.

Paris Avenue Renovation Update

In addition to growth management, council members received an update on the first phase of the Paris Avenue Renovation Project.

Work began in March to bring wider sidewalks, new landscaping, streetlights, and critical infrastructure improvements to one of Port Royal’s primary thoroughfares.

Officials told the council that work is scheduled to continue Thursday, with a projected completion date of Nov. 5.

What’s Next

The Port Royal Town Council will hold the first reading of the proposed moratorium at its meeting next week.

Also on next week’s agenda is a proposed ordinance to implement a town-wide heavy user fee.

If it passes two readings by council, the new fee is intended to help the town recoup more than $300,000 in lost revenue after a local apartment complex became exempt from paying property taxes.