CHARLESTON — Plans for a mixed-use development including a miniature-golf course on a busy corner of James Island are moving forward.
Charleston’s Design Review Board unanimously gave conceptual approval for the mini-golf course and multipurpose building, and a deferral for a restudy of the office and parking garage at its Aug. 3 meeting. Board member Adriana Carson recused herself from the vote but didn’t state why.
The project, known as Community Corner, would be at the corner of Folly Road and Grimball Road Extension near the apartment complex Spyglass Seaside. The land is zoned limited business, which allows for a variety of commercial uses and services that are compatible with residential areas.
Jennifer Johnson, an architect with the applicant McMillan Pazdan Smith, shared at the meeting that the mini-golf course is designed to “evoke the feeling of a Lowcountry golf course.” It will feature gentle rolling hills, little bridges and clusters of grand oak trees, with plans to put a tiki hut under the tree canopy.
The multipurpose building would include a pro shop, restaurant and bar.
The garage, which would be built on the other side of Grimball Road Extension and next to Spyglass Seaside, would have more than 150 parking spaces and some office space.
Members of the board said they appreciated the modern design of the multipurpose building, but wanted the applicant to restudy the design of the garage and office building.
“The success of the main building is that it’s very inventive,” board member Lucas Boyd said. He called it a “contemporary take on some familiar Lowcountry motifs, and that’s entirely missing from the parking garage. When we’re introducing a … jarring program to the area, I think it requires an even more sensitive architectural approach.”
Six residents submitted online public comments opposing the development and how it’ll affect the area’s infrastructure, but board member Erin Stevens said at the meeting the board only has authority over site design and architecture. Zoning issues such as land use, building density, flooding and traffic don’t pertain to the design review board, she said.