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On Tuesday, state and local officials agreed to a plan that will lead to the construction of homes, businesses and a marina on the property, while leaving 22 acres open as park space.
The property is divided into three different zoning categories that allow a range of residential and commercial uses, according to town officials.
About three years ago, the council approved a Waterborne Industrial District for a portion of the port property, providing the Ports Authority with guidelines for design standards, including building sizes and buffers.
A year later, Gov. Mark Sanford signed legislation calling for the port to be closed and sold to a private developer by the end of this year, giving the town access to the waterfront.
Town Planning Director Linda Bridges said the zoning of the port property doesn't fit the redevelopment plans presented by the Ports Authority and the town, though she wouldn't say what zoning would be appropriate.
"The current zoning would not accommodate either plan, but zoning has to be addressed in the near future for the property," she said.
Mayor Sam Murray said a development agreement must be created before any rezoning of the property is done. He said he doesn't know what the zoning would be until that agreement is completed.
"There is no point of rezoning the property unless you have a development agreement," he said. "We can't be specific until we have a development agreement."
Murray, who would not give a date for when a development agreement would finished, said it takes time to create because both the town and the Ports Authority have to agree on what will be on the land.
"They will send us a draft, and our lawyers will look over it," he said. "These things take time. It is a back and forth process."
Town Manager Van Willis also said the zoning would depend on the development agreement, which will need approval from the Town Council.
