Developers withdraw application for luxury short-term rentals on Wadmalaw Island

WADMALAW ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Developers have withdrawn their application to build luxury short-term rentals on Wadmalaw Island.

More than 2,200 people signed a petition to stop the expansion.

The uproar comes from a request from the Bolt Farms Tree House company which was looking to add eight new short term rental properties on Maybank Highway

People who live in the area fear that zoning changes could lead to more development that they believe will change the character of the island.

Charleston County government officials say the business currently has four homes on Wadmalaw Island.

Under current zoning, two of the homes can be used for short-term rentals for a max of 72 days per year. They’re are also allowed five events per year.

The county says Bolt Farm Treehouse was requesting to have eight homes in total where seven could be used for short-term rentals year-round. The business had also wanted to remove the requirement that one of the homes must be their primary residence and were requesting 25 special events per year, according to county officials.

Copyright 2019 WCSC. All rights reserved.