Cane Bay Plan Clears First Hurdle

Aug 15, 2006 - Berkeley County Council gave initial consideration Monday to rezoning requests that could allow another 5,000 homes to be built in the Cane Bay subdivision.

The preliminary approval came from a council committee made up of all members of council. The requests are expected to get first reading at council's Aug. 28 meeting.

Charleston developer Ben Gramling III has plans to build up to 10,000 homes in two phases on about 4,500 acres in the planned community along U.S. Highway 176. Cane Bay is planned for a mix of single- and multi-family homes along with parks, schools and businesses.

Berkeley County Supervisor Jim Rozier said the county has known of Gramling's intentions to develop the entire property from the start of discussions. He said the county has made sewer and road plans to accommodate both phases of the project.

Gramling is asking council to rezone about 2,300 acres in three parcels from agricultural to planned development mixed use. Cane Bay is situated within the county's targeted growth area.

Council also is negotiating a development agreement for the project that will lock in construction plans and require the developer to help fund future roads.

The agreement, which is not yet available to the public, is expected to take three months or longer to approve.