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Planning commission approves Fifth Third Bank outparcel, Bluffton Bookshop and Chase Bank COFA with conditions
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to conditionally approve a Fifth Third Bank outparcel (May River Crossing), to approve the Bluffton Bookshop renovation with an amendment addressing sidewalk/paver encroachment, and to approve a Chase Bank certificate of appropriateness with staff conditions on color and master‑plan covenants.
The Town of Bluffton Planning Commission approved three development applications after staff and applicants addressed technical conditions.
Fifth Third Bank at May River Crossing: Staff presented a preliminary development plan for a single‑story, freestanding bank on a 1.33‑acre outparcel. Staff noted the master plan requires any parking beyond the minimum be designed as pervious; three spaces were identified for conversion. Brett Neverell of Infinity Engineering Group told the commission the applicant acknowledged the condition and was submitting pervious parking details, asking for conditional approval to move forward. The commission moved and approved a conditional preliminary plan that requires pervious treatment for the additional parking at final plan submittal.
Bluffton Bookshop (89 Bridge Street): Staff recommended approval of a proposal to convert a 1,769‑sq‑ft residential building into the Bluffton Bookshop with an accessory icery. The project requires a historic certificate of appropriateness and coordination with SCDOT on pavers and sidewalk encroachment. Applicant Jonathan Marsh said the pavers within SCDOT right‑of‑way would be removed and the team would provide a five‑foot walkway centered on the front door. Commissioners amended the staff motion to clarify the pavers in the right‑of‑way be omitted or addressed through a DOT encroachment permit; the amended motion passed unanimously.
Chase Bank (Belfair PUD): Staff presented a certificate of appropriateness (HCOD) application to convert an existing restaurant to a bank with a drive‑up ATM. Discussion focused on color palette and rooftop/mechanical screening; staff asked the applicant to provide a letter of approval from the master‑plan covenants entity. The commission voted to approve staff recommendations.
All three votes passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the transcript. The approvals included conditions or follow‑up items that staff must confirm before final development actions.
