Port Royal Town Council Takes Steps to Limit Personal Storage Units
In a unanimous decision this Wednesday, the Port Royal Town Council made headlines by voting to ban personal storage units in several high-profile locations throughout the town. This move, which aims to preserve the unique character and charm of Port Royal, was met with wide approval from many community members. However, it did spark some disagreements, notably from one landowner who felt the decision overlooked the needs of residents.
What’s Changed?
Under the new ordinance, personal storage units are no longer a permitted use in a zoning district referred to as “T4 Neighborhood Center-Open.” This particular subzone allows for a variety of office and service uses and encompasses approximately 20 properties along some of the town’s busiest roads, including Highway 170, Parris Island Gateway, Robert Smalls Parkway, and the Savannah Highway. While these changes will restrict the growth of storage units in high-profile areas, they will still remain permitted in other zones around the town.
Community Voices
Rebecca Bass, a local real estate agent and a driving force behind the initiative, expressed her satisfaction with the council’s decision. “I’m delighted by the council’s action,” she remarked. “What we have here is very special, and if we’re not careful, we will end up as ‘anywhere USA,’ which is what the comprehensive plan says they don’t want to become.” Her comments reflect a larger sentiment shared by many residents who were vocal during the planning process.
In stark contrast stood Bennett McNeil, a landowner with a family-owned seven-acre parcel located at the intersection of Highway 21 and Wrights Point Lane. This area falls within the newly designated zone impacted by the council’s vote. McNeil argued that a small, gated, secure storage facility could provide a valuable service to residents without harming the character of the area. He proposed delaying the ordinance for 120 days, hoping to present a site layout and design to the council that would meet both his needs and the community’s standards.
The Need for Storage
During the hearing, McNeil passionately stated, “Many residents in Port Royal live in small houses or apartments and need conveniently located storage units for their extra possessions.” He worried that the voices of these residents might not have been adequately represented. “My guess is they don’t know about these meetings,” he added. “Many may not even know where City Hall is.”
Support for the Ordinance
Despite McNeil’s concerns, the support for the storage unit ban was strong. Bass and several other residents rallied around the idea that Port Royal was becoming the “storage capital of the Lowcountry.” Through their efforts, they stressed that the remaining open land in the T4 Neighborhood Center-Open zone should be utilized in ways that enhance the town’s natural beauty and unique charm—elements that residents cherish deeply.
What’s Next?
With the ordinance’s approval, which passed with a hearty 5-0 vote, it is now officially in effect following its final passage this week. Port Royal looks to the future, hopeful that these changes will help maintain its “cool, coastal and far from ordinary” identity—a motto that resonates deeply with many locals.
As the community continues to adapt to its evolving landscape, the balance between development and preserving a town’s character remains a central concern. The conversation, it seems, will continue, and many are eager to see what the future holds for the charming town of Port Royal.
