MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — A second public hearing is scheduled for April 17 inside Moncks Corner town council chambers as town leaders continue reviewing two large-scale developments proposed along U.S. Highway 52. The projects — Village Square by STYO Development, LLC and the Weathers Tract development by Dream Finders Homes, LLC — were introduced during the first public hearing on March 17.
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If approved, the developments could bring nearly 400 housing units, new commercial space and millions of dollars in recreational amenities to the growing Berkeley County town.
The smaller of the two proposals, Village Square, would transform roughly 31 acres near the Berkeley Electric Cooperative headquarters into a mixed-use development featuring about 80 single-family homes, commercial space and a large civic park. Plans for the park include walking trails, a basketball court, two baseball fields, a pavilion and restroom facilities — all to be built by the developer and later turned over to the town.
The project would also include traffic studies and improvements, along with a $75,000 contribution toward landscaping along Highway 52 medians.
The second proposal, Weathers Tract, spans more than 96 acres across multiple parcels along Ben Barron Lane near the Carolina Grove community and would include 316 residential units and approximately 50,000 square feet of commercial development.
According to development plans, construction of the Weathers Tract project would be phased over several years: 102 homes in 2028, 62 homes in 2029, 54 homes and the commercial component in 2030, and the final 98 homes in 2031 — totaling 316 dwelling units.
That development would also feature a new recreational facility, including a pickleball complex with at least six courts, restrooms, parking and a covered shelter. Like Village Square, those amenities would be constructed by the developer and eventually deeded to the town for everyone to use.
Mayor Thomas Hamilton said both projects align with the town’s approach to “smart growth,” emphasizing a balance between residential expansion, commercial development and community amenities.
“These are good developments that bring not only commercial to the town but also give us amenities with no cost to the town,” Hamilton said. “Two baseball fields, basketball, pavilion with bathrooms and a parking lot with food truck hookups. The other one will also provide six pickleball courts in addition to commercial.”
Hamilton estimated the combined value of the recreational amenities at roughly $5 million, noting they will be open for public use once completed.
He also pointed out that both developments are primarily single-family housing and will contribute impact fees — a tool the town has more recently adopted to help offset growth-related costs.
“When I was elected, we did not have impact fees, and now we do,” Hamilton said. “These are all single-family homes so no multi-family and will contribute impact fees to the town.”
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Town leaders say they are carefully evaluating growth as Moncks Corner continues to attract new residents, particularly as South Carolina remains a popular destination.
“South Carolina is one of the top three states that people are moving to so a no growth policy is unattainable,” Hamilton explained. “I am in my third year, and we have approved 80 units while turning down 1,100. Council and I take growth very seriously and we look hard at each project.”
He also noted that denying projects outright could push development into unincorporated areas, where the town would still feel impacts without receiving benefits.
“These are good developments that if we turn away can go to the county and ask to build,” Hamilton said. “Then we get all the homes with nothing.”
Traffic remains a top concern for residents, especially along the Highway 52 corridor. Hamilton said the town is taking steps to address congestion through planning and infrastructure improvements.
“We received a grant to study the traffic coming in and out of Moncks Corner, and we will identify the top 10 projects to go after funding,” he said. “The 52/Old 52 by CVS is slated to be improved. We have asked for a right-turn lane on the Tailrace towards Hwy. 402, and we are also being proactive at the KFC intersection.”
Hamilton emphasized that commercial development tied to these projects is essential for the town’s financial sustainability.
“The bottom line is that if a house is not valued at $750,000 over time the town does not break even and it costs to provide services, so commercial is very important,” he said. “Without growth, we will have to eventually raise taxes or cut services, and we do not want to have to do either.”
The April 17 public hearing at 6 p.m. will give residents another chance to weigh in before town council makes any final decisions. Town leaders say community input gathered that night will help shape the final agreements with the two developers as the projects advance.
