Planning commission reviews proposed Beach City Car Barn near Hilton Head Airport

Beaufort County Planning Commission staff presented an informational Development Plan Review, DPR 0020932023, for a proposed 8,800-square-foot, two-story high-end car storage facility at 148 Beach City Road on Hilton Head Island.

"As I mentioned, we have 1 major DPR. This is DPR 0020932023 for 148 Beach City Road," said Trey, the staff presenter, summarizing the project and noting the applicant has obtained FAA review and a determination of no hazard to air navigation for each of the building's four corners. The site is a roughly 1.38-acre parcel currently used as Graves Construction offices and is zoned light commercial.

Why it matters: the parcel borders the Hilton Head Airport and would add impervious surface near airport facilities. Commissioners focused on public-safety and environmental implications — how a large storage operation might be used, whether vehicle washing or detailing could occur on site, the presence of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and whether stormwater measures are adequate.

Commissioner Whaley asked how much impervious area the project would add and whether the site would be used for washing or detailing cars. Trey said a car wash or detailing service was not proposed on the submitted plan and is not approved as part of this DPR. "That is not what we're reviewing here. What is approved is a car storage facility," Trey said, and offered to ask the applicant to remove exterior water outlets from the plan if that prevents unauthorized car washing. Later in the discussion Trey also stated that a car-wash use is allowed in the town's light commercial zoning district but reiterated that it is not part of this plan and would require a separate approval.

Hunter, who identified himself as representing the design engineer, said the plan includes one EV charging station and said he was not sure how many electric vehicles the facility might ultimately store. Commissioners pressed whether storing or charging many electric vehicles near airport property would pose fire-safety concerns; staff and the applicant said they would confirm applicable safety/building requirements.

On stormwater, commissioners reviewed plan sheets showing an underground crate detention system beneath the proposed parking. A speaker identified as Chester reminded the commission that the town code requires on-site retention of the first inch of rainfall; Trey said the plan was reviewed by the town's stormwater manager, Jeff Netzinger, and met the criteria he applied. One commissioner noted the plan shows use of about 70% of the maximum allowable impervious coverage (the maximum was stated on the plan as 0.858 acres and the proposed impervious area was reported as about 0.5 acres).

No formal action was taken; the item was presented for information and to solicit commissioner comments. Chair noted staff will take the commission's comments back to the applicant and return any required corrections. "I can get that answer, and then it is something that I can bring up to the applicant and let them know," Trey said regarding questions about water outlets and car-wash use.

Next steps: Because the plan was informational, the commission did not vote on DPR 0020932023. Staff said it will confirm plan details with the applicant, follow up on the number and location of water outlets and EV facilities, confirm stormwater detention calculations with the stormwater manager, and, if appropriate, add corrections before the plan proceeds to final review.