More questions rise on West Columbia riverfront project

New challenges emerged Monday for a signature development near the West Columbia riverfront but they weren’t enough to stop a city panel from accepting the proposal.

The concerns will be settled as final touches are put on the redevelopment plan for a 4-acre site known locally as “the pit” because of its slope, officials said.

Some details “need to be tied up” but none seem insurmountable, Mayor Joe Owens said.

Major concerns expressed to members of City Council and the City Planning Commission are:

▪ Agreeing on a limit on building height to stop the project from totally blocking views of the Congaree River.

▪ Assure enough parking even it reduces the number of apartments and condominiums allowed.

▪ Finding more entrances than a pair suggested on side streets.

“If we build something that doesn’t work, we’re going to have a lot of trouble,” said State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, owner of a nearby commercial building.

All of the problems can be worked out, developer Matt Mundy said. “There’s a lot of moving parts” to be finalized, he said.

Planning Commission members approved the project contingent on the three main concerns being settled. City Council will hold off on its OK until everything is acceptable, Owens said.

A height restriction is needed so multi-story buildings in the project blend in instead of loom over with those nearby, city Planning Director Wayne Shuler said without recommending what it should be.

Planning Commission member Bill Mooneyhan agreed buildings on the site should be “not too high” but left it up to both sides to reach a deal.

City officials pressed for more parking for shoppers, diners, residents, workers and those who go to the riverfront for recreation than the estimated 400 offered.

“There are plenty of opportunities to garner more parking,” Mundy said without outlining how to do it.

It may be necessary to reduce the maximum residential units allowed from 300 to 250 to assure sufficient parking, Councilman Tem Miles said.

Nearby residents warned that putting entrances to the project on Court Avenue and Oliver Street will generate too much traffic in their neighborhood.

The project promises “a heavy dose” of vehicles that would overwhelm that area, Richard Moons said.

Adding spots off heavily-traveled Meeting Street may be a problem, Mundy said.

Some residents applauded the project as an overdue shot-in-the arm in danger of being delayed by what they see as minor concerns.

“We’re nitpicking on some situations,” Archie Ard said.

Tim Flach: 803-771-8483

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 10:10 PM with the headline "More questions rise on West Columbia riverfront project."