1300 Hospital Dr #220
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Effective. Proven. Trusted.
Struggling with ED/Erectile Dysfunction that won't improve?
We aren't guaranteed much as adults, but if there's one thing we can count on, it's that our bodies change as we get older. For men, that's especially true. One day you're lifting heavy weights and nailing your cardio regimen without having to stretch before or after. And then, in what seems like the blink of an eye, you start to slow down a little. You begin to notice aches and pains in places that weren't there before. You can't just go out for a night on the town, imbibe until your heart is content, and expect to wake up refreshed.
And while headaches and achy joints can be treated with ice and anti-inflammatory medicine, other aspects of aging aren't as easy to treat. You've probably guessed at this point what we're talking about: erectile dysfunction, or ED for short. When brought up to most men, those are two words that cause a guttural reaction of fear and trepidation.
While just about every man fears ED, millions suffer from it - almost 10% of the male population between the ages of 40 and 70. So, if you're beginning to have trouble performing in the heat of the moment, you're definitely not alone. You may be experiencing symptoms like:
Trouble Achieving an Erection
Trouble Maintaining an Erection
Lower Libido
Less Sexual Pleasure
Premature Ejaculation
Inability to Achieve Orgasm
However, at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, we understand that stats won't do anything to address the stress and anxiety you're facing in relation to erectile dysfunction. You need a viable solution - a science-backed treatment that doesn't require strange pills or invasive surgeries. As a fully integrated multidisciplinary clinic in Mount Pleasant, we have what you've been searching for: softwave therapy for ED in Mount Pleasant, SC.
To fully grasp the benefits of using soft wave therapy for erectile dysfunction, you must first understand what causes ED to begin with. Put simply, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get an erection and keep it throughout sexual intercourse. You should know that it's not uncommon if you have erection trouble. However, if your inability to "get it up" becomes a common occurrence, you may be suffering from ED.
Erectile dysfunction doesn't just affect your penis - it also affects your wellbeing and relationships. It can lower your confidence, cause a large amount of stress that affects your ability to work, and may even cause contention with your partner.
You hear it all the time - as men get older, they often lose the ability to get erect. But why? As men age, the blood vessels in their penis start to fill up with micro-plaques, causing them to deteriorate. When these blood vessels deteriorate, it's more difficult for them to have steady blood flow. And that's the key to ED - having the constant blood flow to get and keep an erection. That's where the science-backed effectiveness of Softwave therapy swoops in to save the day.
Shockwave technology has been around for decades. It has been used at the highest-level research and medical facilities like the Cleveland Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering. However, Softwave therapy is a more refined, effective way to treat erectile dysfunction and also advance tissue healing.
Softwave therapy works by using electrohydraulic spark gap technology at its core. Its innovative design features a parabolic reflector applicator that produces very effective, low-intensity shock waves that are unfocused. Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine's Softwave applicator spreads energy to a large area of both superficial and deep tissue, creating a biological response that kickstarts your body's natural healing process.
For men suffering from ED, it is a revolutionary breakthrough treatment that doesn't require harmful surgeries or side effects from pills. In fact, it has been FDA approved for many uses, including improved blood flow, which is often the root cause of erectile dysfunction.
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Unlike some more traditional treatment options, Softwave therapy gets right to the crux of the ED issue. It uses shock wave technology on a cellular level, helping to naturally heal body parts, like the penis. Some of the most common benefits of Softwave therapy include:
Additionally, Softwave treatments don't require much prep, don't have any sketchy side effects, don't require any numbing agents or anesthesia, and result in little-to-no recovery time. Sound too good to be true? Contact Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine today to learn just how effective Softwave therapy is for our patients!
Softwave therapy works by using efficient, effective shock waves that cause biological regeneration processes that heal your body using its own healing factors. It works like this: Softwaves are created via a high-energy electrical discharge in water. The voltage is discharged between the plus and minus tips of an electrode. The spark gap or arching causes an equalization of voltage between the opposing tips of the electrode, which causes a hot plasma bubble. This bubble explodes and distributes in every direction, compresses the surrounding water, and generates a pressure > 10 MPa within nanoseconds.
To sum up, Softwave therapy uses low-intensity, unfocused energy that is delivered by a reflector in parallel waves. These waves help open up the blood vessels in your penis, allowing more blood to flow. At Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, our team of expert physicians will develop a personalized Softwave therapy plan based on your body and needs. With the right number of treatments, you should be able to achieve and maintain firm erections as you did in your prime.
A Softwave therapy procedure averages 10-15 minutes but may be longer depending on treatment area and diagnosis. A gel is applied to the surface area to be treated. The applicator produces pulses as the clinician moves around the treatment area. During therapy, communication with your provider is necessary to identify treatment areas and monitor progress.
Once treatment is over, you may resume your normal day-to-day activities. In fact, most patients can have Softwave therapy while on their lunch break. You don't have to worry about recovery time, side effects, or any downtime at all.
More than 50% of men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. If you're over the age of 30, have been suffering from ED, and don't want to rely on pills or surgery, Softwave therapy may be for you. That's doubly true if you've tried traditional treatments like Viagra and even surgery but didn't get the results you hoped for. Many academic studies about shockwave therapy for ED state that this revolutionary technology is successful where PDE5 inhibitors fail.
In fact, many urologists consider Softwave therapy the most promising ED treatment on the market. The truth is, even if you're not battling ED, men can use Softwave therapy as a preventative way to keep the magic flowing in the bedroom. Some of the key reasons to choose Softwave therapy over less effective, traditional treatments include:
If you're curious why Softwave treatments are so popular for ED, the answer is simple. Prescription drugs like Cialis and others that "treat" ED often come with less-that-savory side effects. At best, these effects are just something patients have to deal with. At worst, they can disrupt your day-to-day schedule and may prevent you from enjoying a healthy life. Sure, some men swear by the "little blue pill," but most guys aren't aware of the hidden risks with drugs like Viagra. The following side effects can be common in both short and long-term circumstances:
If you're suffering through erectile dysfunction, it's crucial to understand why it's happening. The primary reason for ED is a lack of blood flow to the penis, which makes erections difficult to get and keep. Rather than relying on prescription and gas station pills for a quick fix, more men are using softwave ED treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC for an all-natural solution minus the side effects. With Softwave therapy, you don't have to live with ED, and you don't have to suffer from scary side effects from popping too many pills.
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Softwave therapy is often a more effective solution for men with ED than similar but less effective treatments using pressure waves. Softwave therapy from Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine uses acoustic pulses or unfocused shockwaves with fast and steep rise times and high positive pressure. Our unfocused wave design makes it possible to spread energy to a larger area, which affects deep and superficial tissue. By targeting a larger area, a more potent biological response is often achieved, initiating your body's natural healing factors.
By comparison, radial pressure waves use acoustic pneumatic pulses with low steeping effects, slow rise times, and large negative pressures. Radial waves are shallower than the shockwaves used in Softwave technology and focus energy and pressure at the surface of the applicator.
Here's a quick breakdown of the differences between softwave therapy for ED in Mount Pleasant, SC, and radial pressure waves:
If you're new to the world of Softwave therapy, chances are you've got some lingering questions you need answered. We'll do our best to answer a few of those questions here for your convenience.
Q. Has the FDA approved softwave therapy for ED in cityname, state?
A. Yes - Softwave therapy is FDA 510(k) approved for:
Q. Is softwave therapy painful?
A. Softwave therapy does not require surgery or any invasive form of treatment. With that said, some patients describe minimal discomfort or pain during our softwave treatments. Should this occur, your medical specialist will make necessary adjustments. Usually, patients do not have to endure any pain at all and only experience a pulse or tapping feeling on their skin.
Q. How long is a Softwave treatment session?
A. An individual session only takes five to fifteen minutes. It's typically recommended that patients have treatment once a week for three to five weeks. The length and frequency of your Softwave therapy sessions will be determined after you visit our medical clinic for a comprehensive evaluation.
Q. How long does it take for Softwave therapy to work?
A. Every patient we treat is different, and as such, will have different treatment recommendations. Often, patients notice the results of Softwave therapy after the first session. However, for the longest-lasting effects, most patients need between three and four treatments, with a week of non-treatment after every session.
Q. Can I combine Softwave therapy with other treatments from Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine?
A. It's hard to give a definitive answer to this question since every patient is different. It's important for you to have a full evaluation to determine the scope of your needs and the appropriate therapies. However, Softwave therapy often works very well with other treatments. In fact, other therapies offered at our medical clinic like massage therapy and chiropractic care can make Softwave treatment even more effective.
Remember - our team at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine is always happy to answer any questions you may have about ED or our ED treatments. Give us a call today - it would be our pleasure to get to know you better!
Unlike some wellness clinics, our experienced providers work together to optimize treatment for men suffering from ED. We always strive to make sexual wellbeing an accessible part of your everyday lifestyle.
That's why, at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, our mission is simple: to correct the root cause of your erectile dysfunction by taking a comprehensive, total body approach to healing and treatment. We want to address your ED problem without having to resort to chemical-based medications or unnecessary surgeries. Instead, we focus on all-natural, effective solutions like shockwave therapy for ED in Mount Pleasant, SC.
By discovering what's best for each person's individual body and needs, we can help create a healthier future for those in our community through our holistic physical medicine practices. Contact our office to learn more about Softwave therapy and how we can solve the underlying causes of your unique ED situation.
Book AppointmentOne mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.April Gilliard said her children attended Sunshine House for two years before she ultimately pulled them from the center after hearing a toddler was found wandering near Long Point Road.Witness reports from Sunshine House staff that were rec...
One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - One mother is demanding better for her children after what she said were questionable experiences at a Mount Pleasant daycare.
April Gilliard said her children attended Sunshine House for two years before she ultimately pulled them from the center after hearing a toddler was found wandering near Long Point Road.
Witness reports from Sunshine House staff that were received from the Department of Social Services show a toddler escaped out of a gate while on the playground and was found by staff in the arms of a truck driver.
Gilliard said the daycare never addressed what happened to the other parents, she was made aware of the situation through a post on social media.
“I asked about it and was told that wasn’t true,” Gilliard said. “I was told it was the previous director who was trying to sabotage the reputation or the name of the center.”
Gilliard said she had her own questionable experiences at the daycare as well. Some days she had trouble getting in contact with the daycare to check on her kids. On other days, when she received pictures from staff, it looked like too many children were in one classroom.
“When I got to the center I asked, ‘How was your day, what’s going on, did you guys have to combine classrooms,’” Gilliard said. “None of that was really communicated.”
She said the social media post about the escaped toddler was her final straw.
“It makes me question what happened prior to this incident,” Gilliard said.
Documents obtained from the Freedom of Information Act show inadequate supervision at the daycare has been an ongoing problem since 2015.
According to Department of Social Services documents, eight separate visits to the center reported deficiencies in areas like improper child-to-caregiver ratio, unqualified caregivers, inadequate supervision or improper accounting for the presence of children.
Gillard said by sharing her experiences, she is advocating for her own children and other children in the community.
“These are issues that are going on and no one is being held accountable, no one is actually speaking on it, and some parents don’t have social media to find out or learn about these things,” Gilliard said.
Sunshine House provided the following comment:
This past May, at our school in Mount Pleasant on Long Point Road, a child on the playground opened an exterior gate and was able to leave the premises and walk through the parking lot.
The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority. While the child was, thankfully, returned unharmed to the school two minutes later, we are distraught that this occurred.
Following the incident, we contacted the child’s family and officially notified our state licensor and Child Protective Services, per state licensing regulations and company procedures. The teachers were placed on administrative leave pending the results of both internal and state licensing investigations. The teachers involved are no longer employed with the company.
The playground gate was functioning and closed at the time of the incident. After this incident, we worked with our state licensors to identify a South Carolina state-approved lock, which was subsequently installed.
Two teachers were supervising 12 children on the playground at the time of the incident. The state ratio for this age group is 1 teacher to 6 children or 2 teachers to 12 children.
The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority, and we cannot stress enough how seriously we take this incident. We have bolstered our operational procedures and retrained teachers and teammates on playground safety checks and other safety protocols.
The Department of Social Services provided the following comment:
The provider in question was terminated from the ABC Quality program in June 2023 due to documented serious safety violations and the provider has not appealed the decision. Providers must be enrolled in the ABC Quality program to accept childcare scholarship funds issued by the Department of Social Services per federal guidelines.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Plans to develop a small boutique hotel on a corner lot in Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood are being revived under a new majority owner.Jeremy Graves of Village Inn LLC has submitted plans to build the Seabird at Hibben and Whilden streets. The town’s Commercial Site Review Board is scheduled to vote July 26 for final approval of the site, landscape and architecture plans.Renderings show 23 guest rooms in one buil...
Plans to develop a small boutique hotel on a corner lot in Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood are being revived under a new majority owner.
Jeremy Graves of Village Inn LLC has submitted plans to build the Seabird at Hibben and Whilden streets. The town’s Commercial Site Review Board is scheduled to vote July 26 for final approval of the site, landscape and architecture plans.
Renderings show 23 guest rooms in one building with 1,185 square feet of restaurant space and a lounge.
I’On developer Vince Graham pursued a plan more than a decade ago for what then was called Earls Court Hotel that was to be an offshoot of the nearby Earls Court residential nook his company built.
The inn project faced early pushback from some Old Village residents and was stalled by years of legal squabbles with the town. A settlement was struck in 2019.
Village Inn LLC bought the property in 2021 for $925,000, and Graham remains a minority investor in the hotel project, according to a spokesperson. Graves did not respond to a request for comment.
Two notable downtown Charleston hotel projects are coming back before the city’s Board of Architectural Review on July 26.
The developer of South Carolina’s first Four Seasons property at 155 Meeting St. is requesting conceptual approval and the OK to add an eighth floor for a rooftop terrace, conservatory and pool.
Florida-based Strategic Property Partners plans to construct three buildings for the 1.9-acre corner site at Horlbeck Alley that will include a mix of hotel rooms and residential condominiums.
During the last review of the proposal in June, the BAR generally was in favor of what was presented, but members remained split over the request for the extra height.
The panel also is set to take up a boutique 18-room lodging for upper King Street.
Plans show a five-story building with parking, a rooftop area, meeting space and two ground-floor commercial spaces on a vacant lot between Line Street and the overpass where Interstate 26 merges into the Septima P. Clark Expressway.
Greenville-based Atlantic South Development is listed the developer.
An upcoming luxury waterfront hotel went before the Board of Architectural Review earlier this month requesting final approval of exterior changes that would improve the view.
The Cooper, which is under construction at 176 Concord St., is expected to open in 2025 with 225 guest rooms on six floors.
It will be part of the locally based Beemok Hospitality Collection, which also is embarking on an overhaul of The Charleston Place across from the City Market.
The developer requested to switch from two-pane to four-pane windows on the top and bottom floors facing Charleston Harbor to improve the waterfront views from the penthouse, restaurant and lobby. Also, it asked for architectural columns on the top floor to be removed from the design plans.
The BAR had mixed feelings about the latter request. The item was deferred.
MOUNT PLEASANT — A new 9,000-square-foot dining venue soon will replace a seafood ...
MOUNT PLEASANT — A new 9,000-square-foot dining venue soon will replace a seafood restaurant that started in 1979 in an old fish shed with 35 seats.
Sunsets plans to open in about three weeks at 97 Mill St. in the former R.B.’s on Shem Creek, which closed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The seafood-centric offering between Red’s Ice House and Saltwater Cowboys comes from a partnership between Bottle Cap Group and Southern Entertainment, both based in Charlotte.
The two-story restaurant is designed “to focus on the views and accentuate waterfront dining,” according to Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “Every seat will have an amazing view.”
The lower level features a larger deck that allows more outdoor seating while the second story includes garage door-like features to give it an open-air atmosphere.
“We really wanted to open it up outside,” Durkin said.
The project has been in the works for a couple of years since the business partners homed in on the site after longtime R.B.’s owner Ronnie Boals decided to retire and sell the property.
In 2020, an affiliate of Geyer Morris Co., a privately held Dallas-based commercial real estate development firm, bought the nearly 1-acre property from Boals for $7 million.
The existing two-story structure, built in 2003 after a fire destroyed the restaurant a year earlier, will feature seating for 284 diners on the first floor, according to site plans. Another 218 seats will be available on the second level.
“It’s the ideal location, but everything has taken longer than expected,” said Britton McCorkle with Bottle Cap Group. “We also had to install a sprinkler system, which held us up a bit.”
In addition to seafood, chef Kevin Spencer will offer entrees such as steaks, chicken and pork. Appetizers, sushi and veggie-centric dishes also will be on the menu. Brunch will include mainstays as well as some favorite items from lunch and dinner, Spencer said.
Lighter-fare salads, sandwiches and burgers also will be available.
“We will have something for everyone,” said Andrew Izrael, general manager.
A full bar with local beers, cocktails and wine also is part of the new dining spot.
“The bar includes a playful reimagining of classic items that work with the seafood-forward menu and being on the water,” Izrael said. “They will have touches of flair.”
The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays, with later hours on weekends.
The restaurant’s partners also have other business interests in the Charleston area.
Bottle Cap Group includes Snapper Jack’s Seafood & Raw Bar on Folly Beach. Southern Entertainment is involved in developing Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden in Moultrie Plaza Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant. Durkin said Farm Haus is several weeks away from opening.
This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this...
This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.
Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this lot. We're drawn to older areas where kids can run around," says owner Maggie Bullwinkel. She and husband George, a Charleston native, had two young children when they began renovating this 3,200-square-foot house that was built in the 1970s. Their third child was 9 months old when they moved in. Maggie refers to her then-infant sidekick as "my design assistant."
While the Bullwinkels had renovated and sold houses before, this one would be a keeper. "It had great bones. We loved the back porch and knew this could be our forever home," Maggie says. Working with architect Hunter Kennedy and designer Sidney Wagner, they spearheaded family-friendly changes to the four-bedroom abode that have definitely paid off. Today, the Bullwinkels have four kids under age 10 and plenty of yard, a great porch, and a frequently used outdoor kitchen to accommodate their active lifestyle.
"Overall, the footprint didn't change much," says Sidney, who squared off the kitchen to make it more functional. As the home's command center, it now opens up to a bright eating nook, which is one of Maggie's favorite spots. "Family dinners are a priority," she says. What was previously a formal dining room, adjacent to the kitchen, became the kids' playroom. They removed an attached garage to make way for a new mudroom/laundry area off the kitchen. "It's basically where I live," quips Maggie. They also elevated and enlarged the back porch to be a seamless open-air extension of the family room, ground zero for entertaining during Clemson University football season. "I love that we really do live in each space," Maggie says. "We use it all."
A monochrome kitchen keeps Maggie happy. "It helps to have a clean look in a busy room," she says. Streamlined light fixtures by Cedar & Moss and vintage Lucite barstools scooped up at a local antiques mall add to the airy feel in the room.
"With four kids, there is plenty of chaos," says Maggie. Namibia marble countertops and Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) paint make her kitchen a calming space. Plus, they allow the Hampton Faucet by Waterstone to shine as the statement piece.
Reorienting the kitchen to open into a family dining area was Maggie's top priority. Hunter bumped out the eating nook to add windows on all sides, inviting in sunlight and creek views. A mid-century modern table and slipcovered chairs keep lines simple, and Roost's whimsical light fixture "softens all the hard surfaces," says Sidney. The fabric used for the curtains (Katana by Kelly Wearstler) is also on the barstools, where it's laminated to be indestructible.
"We needed comfortable pieces that are easy to rearrange," says Sidney, who was mindful of not blocking the French doors that open to the porch. "I love how the vintage-reproduction chairs are movable and sculpturally interesting from whatever angle." A sofa slipcovered in Crypton fabric is ultrapractical, and bare windows keep things light and airy while connecting well with the porch, she says.
Sidney painted the porch floor in Benjamin Moore's Kennebunkport Green (HC-123), the same color that's used on the exterior trim, and added soothing blue accents to complement the surrounding outdoor hues. "We didn't want to distract from the view," she says. Wicker chairs from CB2 add natural texture, and a fun Annie Selke rug anchors the blue tones. Floor-to-ceiling screens and a vaulted ceiling help the porch feel cool in summer.
Two years after moving in, the Bullwinkels worked with architect Chris Heinlen of Heinlen Design to add a backyard shed with a full attic to supplement the home's limited storage. Adjacent to that, they created an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. "This is our favorite spot for birthday parties, neighborhood suppers, or sometimes sunset sips after the kids have gone to bed," says Maggie. A metal roof, green trim, and white siding tie the shed to the main house.
"I love the playroom right off the kitchen. It's our cuddle area," says Maggie. A big barn door can be closed to contain toys and messes. Commissioned pieces by local artist Michelle Owenby add grown-up flair to the room, designed to one day transform into a family hangout space.
Maggie believes that tidiness is key, even in the playroom. Each child has (and uses!) a designated toy-and-book basket, and a rotating gallery helps solve the what-to-do-with-endless-kids'-art dilemma.
" 'Are you sure about going this showy?' my husband asked about the paint color, and I was—including covering the ceiling," says Maggie of the vibrant Benjamin Moore Slate Teal (2088-20) she chose for the laundry room. "I love how the boldness brings you in." Custom cabinets add extra pantry space.
Next to the laundry room, the bold color continues in the mudroom with an added touch of graphic wallpaper. Each kid has their own space for coats and bags in the blue storage wall.
MOUNT PLEASANT — The town and Mount Pleasant Waterworks argue that a lawsuit challenging their longstanding annex-for-sewer rule, filed by the owners of a 185-acre property on the Wando River off S.C. Highway 41, should be dismissed.It’s the same property, the Republic Tract, that Mount Pleasant unsuccessfully sought to buy in 2022 for $20.8 million. The owners have claimed that a $41 million sale of the property fell through the same year because of a requirement that properties must ask to join the town in order to get s...
MOUNT PLEASANT — The town and Mount Pleasant Waterworks argue that a lawsuit challenging their longstanding annex-for-sewer rule, filed by the owners of a 185-acre property on the Wando River off S.C. Highway 41, should be dismissed.
It’s the same property, the Republic Tract, that Mount Pleasant unsuccessfully sought to buy in 2022 for $20.8 million. The owners have claimed that a $41 million sale of the property fell through the same year because of a requirement that properties must ask to join the town in order to get sewer service.
If the undeveloped property were annexed into Mount Pleasant it would be subject to “significant development restrictions,” the owners noted in a lawsuit filed earlier this year. That would include the town’s zoning regulations, an ongoing moratorium on multi-family developments, limits on annual building permits and hefty impact fees.
Control of access to the sewer infrastructure operated by Mount Pleasant Waterworks has been one way Mount Pleasant has long regulated development.
“Plaintiffs prefer to stay in unincorporated Charleston County and develop the property under Charleston County’s regulations,” states the lawsuit, which relies in part on a 1989 merger agreement between Mount Pleasant Waterworks and the Bulls Bay Rural Community Water District.
The town and Mount Pleasant Waterworks both seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. In separate responses to the suit, they say the property owners don’t have a claim and were not a party to the merger agreement.
Lawyer Gray Culbreath, who filed MPW’s response, wrote that the merger agreement is no longer in effect, and if it was, the Republic Tract owners were not intended beneficiaries.
The legal back-and-forth is still in early stages; the complaint was filed, and answered.
If the town and MPW are successful, that would preserve the status quo. If the Republic Tract owners succeed, they could potentially sell the land to an owner who could develop it regardless of Mount Pleasant’s rules because it could remain outside the town limits.
Town Manager Eric DeMoura has estimated that, under county zoning rules, 1,600 homes could be built on the property.
“A large-scale development would damage quality of life for nearby residents and would further overstress (S.C. Highway) 41,” he said when the lawsuit was initially filed.
The property sits on the south side of S.C. Highway 41 just before the Wando River bridge. It’s a road where Charleston County plans to spend $185 million to improve traffic, much of which comes from the large subdivisions built on both sides of the road in Mount Pleasant.
The property was once the site of a river barge terminal, and a large concrete dock still exists there. It’s known as the Republic Tract because it was owned by Republic Contracting, and it’s currently owned by five children of company President James Deierlein.
They are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed earlier this year in Charleston Circuit Court. Their lawyer, Ross Appel, said he was not authorized to comment.
The lawsuit claims the 1989 merger of MPW and the Bulls Bay Rural Community Water District prohibited the utility from requiring annexation in order to get service for properties that were in the Bulls Bay service area, as was the Republic tract. The town and MPW say the merger deal expired years ago.
The suit also cites a 2019 Charleston County ordinance prohibiting municipalities from requiring annexation in order to get sewer service that would otherwise be available — an ordinance aimed at helping residents of historic Black settlement communities who didn’t want to be annex into the town.
Mount Pleasant in 2022 changed its rules to allow sewer service without annexation, but only for existing residences.
Mount Pleasant Waterworks says the county ordinance can’t be enforced against the utility, and cites a state Attorney General’s Office opinion from 2020.
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