HVA Opposes the Beach Company's Private Dock Permit at Broad & Lockwood

The Harleston Village Association has issued a formal statement opposing a permit request by the Beach Company to construct a private dock extending into the Ashley River — directly across from the Jasper, at the intersection of Broad Street and Lockwood Boulevard.

What’s proposed

A private recreational dock for the exclusive use of condominium owners and their guests. The structure would include a raised boardwalk extending approximately 200 feet from the public sidewalk into the Ashley River, leading to a large permanent shelter and floating dock. This is not a public marina or access point.

Why it matters

The dock would obstruct a public waterfront view long cherished by the community and contradict the City’s vision for a continuous, publicly accessible promenade along the Ashley River. It would also intrude on a critical flood protection corridor, where infrastructure such as a knee wall and future berms are planned to safeguard the surrounding neighborhoods.

HVA’s position

The HVA Board voted unanimously to oppose the application — joined by the Preservation Society of Charleston and Historic Charleston Foundation. We urged all residents to join us in opposing this short-sighted proposal.

Your voice counted

At the time of this statement, residents were asked to submit comments to the State by Friday, August 8. If 20 or more individual comments were submitted in opposition, a public hearing would be triggered.

HVA’s statement

Neighbors were welcome to personalize and submit the following:

As neighbors committed to preserving the shared beauty and historic character of Harleston Village, we strongly oppose the application for a private dock on the Ashley, at Broad and Lockwood, opposite the Jasper. While intended for the exclusive use of condominium residents, the proposed dock would encroach upon a public waterfront view long cherished by the community.

This is not just a matter of aesthetics — it conflicts with the City’s longstanding vision for a connected, publicly accessible waterfront view along Lockwood Drive. The promenade has always been envisioned as part of a continuous public realm, and the addition of a private structure for use by “two to four families” is an incredibly insensitive affront to the larger community.

Further, this section of the waterfront is a critical corridor for flood protection. The City plans to construct a new “knee wall” in the near-term, and ultimately a more elevated berm and promenade along this edge, as part of longer-term perimeter protection. The introduction of a private dock is not only incompatible with that infrastructure — it is another example of private interest seeking to extract value from a shared public asset.

We believe it is essential for the City and the State to uphold its commitments to public access, equitable development, and long-term flood resilience. This proposal runs counter to all three and the permit should be denied.

— the Board of Harleston Village Association