PORT ROYAL - The State Ports Authority unveiled redevelopment plans Monday for its cargo terminal in this picturesque Lowcountry village, drawing a mix of praise and appeals from residents and Gov. Mark Sanford.

It was the small community's first look at the SPA's vision for the prime waterfront land, where freight-handling operations are scheduled to cease by the end of the year.

The agency's development proposal shows a 400-slip marina in Battery Creek, a 64-room hotel, 58,000 square feet of retail space and 488 housing units, including condominiums, townhouses and cottages. It also sets aside land for parks and other public open spaces.

Residents and town officials said the state plan for the 57-acre site largely mirrored a land-use study the town previously commissioned.

While mostly pleased with the SPA's proposal, Sanford said he remains unsatisfied with one key aspect of it. "I think there ought to be more open space than this plan entails," he said at a standing-room-only town hall meeting where he and two SPA board members fielded questions.

At least one resident agreed, shouting out: "We want more green space."

The SPA plan incorporates about 4.2 acres of open space at seven sites within the property. The exact amount and locations have sparked "a little bit of a tug-of war between myself and my ports authority," Sanford said.

"We don't get a second chance, particularly with deep water like this," he said.

Sanford, who grew up in Beaufort County, said he would prefer to see some of the choicest waterfront sites at the Port Royal terminal set aside for public use rather than for private development, even if it means sacrificing some money at the front end to capture what he called "long-term value" in 50 or 100 years.

"There are going to be fewer and fewer spots where we can get to the water in shared open spaces," he said.

SPA board members Glen Kilgore and Coldon Battey, both Beaufort-area residents, agreed that the development proposal is not set in stone. They also said the agency would work closely with the town to refine the details.

"The ultimate decision is Port Royal's," Battey said. "The reason for the plan ... is to show what could be done."

In 2003, as part of Sanford's plan to cut costs and increase revenue at state-run ports, the General Assembly ordered the Port Royal terminal to close by the end of 2006. It's the SPA's smallest cargo facility, servicing only a cement factory and a fertilizer company.

Battey said the authority likely will seek proposals and bids for the property from private developers later this year. Port Royal already has fielded numerous inquiries, said Van Willis, the town's manager.

"The hard part is not selling a piece of land in Beaufort County on the water," Sanford said. "The hard part is getting it right."

The governor urged residents who agreed with him to stay involved and "make your voice heard in the political process."

Residents and officials said they already are starting to feel development pressures spilling over to Port Royal from Beaufort, Hilton Head Island and even Charleston.

Alton Aimar, who owns a home-maintenance business in Port Royal, said he favors preserving as much public space along the water as possible. The Battery in downtown Charleston is a prime example of what can be achieved through long-term planning, he said.

"That took vision," Aimar said. "It's not all about the mighty dollar."

Reach John McDermott at 937-5572 or jmcdermott@postandcourier.com.