<h4>By MINDY LUCAS</h4>
The Beaufort-Port Royal Metropolitan Planning Commission voted to annex two properties on Lady’s Island into the City of Beaufort at a planning meeting on Monday, July 29.

The first property included two parcels totaling 20.71-acres on Miller Drive East while the second property included a collection of parcels totaling 6.9 acres along Mayfair Road, west of Sam’s Point Road.

Also up for consideration were changes in zoning for both properties, though the commission voted to recommend zoning that was either on par with the properties’ current zoning or that favored less density than what the owners had originally petitioned for.

A number of residents who turned out for public comment on the Miller Drive East property took issue with the annexation citing concerns over of increased traffic and density in the area, the potential for increased property taxes and the negative impact growth would have on the semi-rural character of the island.

Other residents cited apprehension over not knowing what property owners had planned for the property under the requested zoning changes. The owners, who were not present at the meeting, could sell to developers who could in turn build apartment buildings on the 6.9 acre site, the said.

Others took issue with the annexation and zoning stating it was at odds with the recently adopted Lady’s Island Plan.

The commission passed annexation on both properties but voted to recommend to city council zoning codes either on par with surrounding properties or that favored less density.