Future Shem Creek development divides Mount Pleasant

By Stacy Jacobson sjacobson@abcnews4.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) -- A proposed office building and parking garage at Mount Pleasant's Shem Creek has presented Lowcountry residents with another battle between history and dealing with growth and development. A zoning ordinance change might prohibit the construction of the garage, but officials believed the office building would still be built.

Many are worried Shem Creek's picturesque views could be obstructed.

What this parking garage would do is become the predominant structure. You could see it from the creek, Mount Pleasant resident Joanna Ghegan said.

Mount Pleasant officials said a developer came to them with a plan for an office building and parking garage on a lot near Reds in Shem Creek in 2013. Current zoning allowed for the new building and garage. It came as a relief to some.

"The parking condition is obviously rough. Its a little bit of a pain in the butt," Matt Theders said.

But others said it would stain the skyline of the Shem Creek historic area.

It would be an eyesore. It would be atrocious. But I obviously see the necessity for more parking, Mount Pleasant resident Davis Crosby said.

The parking garage design Ive seen is a brick structure with tall awnings. They are not in keeping with the Lowcountry feel, Ghegan said.

Mayor Linda Page said she hadnt seen any designs or a finalized plan. She also said the town had studied parking and decided it was not financially savvy for Mount Pleasant to build its own public parking. Instead, officials planned to work with the developer.

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Future Shem Creek development divides Mount Pleasant