North Charleston City Council hears community input on Sea Fox Boating proposal

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — On Thursday evening, the City of North Charleston council members did not vote on the proposal but allowed the community to speak on the plan.

The vacant property sits on 46 acres near Union Heights and Chicora Cherokee neighborhoods.

The proposed plan by the Sea Fox Boating Company would create a waterfront park and a boat manufacturing plant that will take up about 11 acres.

Some community members spoke about the negative impact the proposal would have, but others favored the benefits it would bring to the city of North Charleston.

“We heard from some good speakers and some people from the community who support COC and moving into the North Charleston area with his partnership with Charleston County Parks and Rec and the community,” said Harlan Reken, a representative for Sea Fox Life.

The land is currently not zoned for industrial use and must be if Sea Fox wants to build a manufacturing plant on the land.

In March, the North Charleston Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 against rezoning the area.

One community leader who opposes the proposal said he agrees to add more recreational space for a park, but he says North Charleston does not need another industrial building.

“Charleston County Recs and Park’s job is to develop and maintain parks, not to develop industrial sites. They’ve lost sight of the mission. Their mission is not to create an industrial site. The mission is to develop recreational sites,” said Skip Mikell, the president of Union Heights.

However, one resident told me more jobs are needed in the area, and this facility could offer a solution.

“They make they pay good money at the place. They have good benefits, so why not have a place like that come over on the old Baker hospital,” said Clifford Brown, a resident of North Charleston.

The next meeting about the proposed development will be open for public comment on Thursday, April 18, at North Charleston City Hall.