PORT ROYAL -- A day after Gov. Mark Sanford suggested closing the Port of Port Royal, town officials announced plans to use a private consultant along with representatives from the county and area residents to create a plan for future development on the 22-acre riverfront property.

"We seek staff assistance to shape what we see as appropriate development for the area should this transition occur," Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray said during a Friday afternoon press conference in Port Royal.

During state budget hearings Thursday, Sanford called for the S.C. Ports Authority to close the local port, which attracts about 20 ships a year and lost $58,000 last year.

The governor said the land should either be sold outright or used as part of a joint venture between the state and a private developer.

The decision on what to do with the land will be made by the Ports Authority with help from the governor's office and local officials. Whatever the decision, future development of the property will fall under the town's zoning regulations.

But town officials say they want to make sure the property also will add to the town's tax base. However, town officials wouldn't speculate on what kind of development they'd like to see on the port property.

Closing the port would require an act of the General Assembly.

Earlier on Friday, state Sen. Scott Richardson, R-Hilton Head Island, said the Port of Port Royal issue is something he's been working on for the past year.

Richardson said the state Ports Authority only recently "came to the conclusion (the Port of Port Royal) is something they're not prepared to use in the future."

Beaufort County's senior legislator said a measure to close the port is something he considers local legislation and should pass through both legislative houses without much debate.

The legislator said a master plan should be developed with plenty of input from area residents.

"I'd love to have a comprehensive plan for that whole port area," Richardson said. "If we're going to let it be developed, lets make sure we have a good comprehensive plan that makes sense for the people of that area.

"There's some development that could be great for that area but then there may be some things the people don't want at all," he added.