News Title:Proposed Blackwater River Club Development in Georgetown Deferred by County Council
A proposed residential development encompassing more than 500 acres near Georgetown is facing another step in the county's review process. Blackwater River Club, a planned community proposed for the eastern side of David W. Ray Drive, would bring 396 single-family homes and a collection of recreational amenities to a property near the Black River. However, the proposal has encountered opposition during the county's review, and on October 27, 2026, Georgetown County Council deferred consideration of the rezoning ordinance at the applicant's request.
The proposed development would be located in an area where residential construction is already underway and additional growth is planned. Nearby, Meritage Homes is building Crown Pointe, a large master-planned development, while Beverly Homes continues to develop Peru Plantation along the west side of the Highway 701 corridor. Together, these projects illustrate the growing interest in residential development north of historic Georgetown.
A 396-Home Community With River-Oriented Amenities
An Ordinance is seeking to rezone approximately 138.93 acres of uplands within a larger tract encompassing approximately 506.48 acres. The property is currently zoned Forest Agriculture (FA). The requested change would establish the Blackwater River Club Planned Development (PD), providing a framework for the proposed residential community and its associated amenities.
Preliminary plans call for 396 single-family homes, divided between two phases. Phase 1 would include 202 homes, followed by another 194 homes in Phase 2. Although the overall property encompasses more than 500 acres, the rezoning request specifically identifies the upland portion intended for the proposed development.
The community's concept extends beyond traditional single-family home construction. Proposed amenities have included boat access, boat storage, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a dog park and recreational fields. Walking trails and opportunities to enjoy the property's natural surroundings have also been discussed. Earlier descriptions of the proposal referenced the possibility of short-term rental accommodations or recreational vehicle spaces associated with the amenity area, although these should not be considered confirmed features of an approved plan.
The property's proximity to the Black River and Six Mile Creek is an important part of the setting, but it has also become a point of concern during the review process. The proposal's eventual design, stormwater management and treatment of the surrounding natural environment will be important considerations if the project advances.
Planning Commission Recommended Against Rezoning
Blackwater River Club has already encountered resistance during Georgetown County's review of the proposal. On August 20, 2026, the Georgetown County Planning Commission voted unanimously against recommending the requested rezoning.
Concerns raised during the review included the potential effects of stormwater runoff on the Black River, the environmental implications of additional residential development, traffic and whether the project was consistent with the county's future land-use designation for the area. The county's future land-use map identifies the area for conservation and agricultural uses, with limited residential development contemplated.
Traffic was another issue discussed during the review. A traffic study associated with the proposal projected approximately 3,731 vehicle trips per day and recommended a traffic signal at the intersection of North Fraser Street and Pringle Ferry Road.
The developer's representatives discussed an approach that would preserve mature trees and incorporate open space into the community. However, the Planning Commission's unanimous vote against recommending the rezoning demonstrated that questions remain about the proposed development's compatibility with the surrounding area.
The matter subsequently advanced to County Council. On October 27, 2026, Council's consideration of Ordinance No. 26-26 was deferred at the applicant's request. The deferral does not constitute approval or denial of the rezoning, and no new hearing date has been established in the information currently available.
Adjacent to Crown Pointe by Meritage Homes
One of the most significant aspects of the Blackwater River Club proposal is its relationship to Crown Pointe, the large master-planned development now taking shape nearby.
Crown Pointe represents the first residential phase of a much larger development envisioned to encompass more than 1,700 acres. Future plans contemplate additional residential neighborhoods, commercial areas and other mixed-use components, positioning Crown Pointe to become a substantial development destination in the Georgetown area.
Meritage Homes is building the initial residential neighborhood, known as The Reserve at Crown Pointe. The first phase includes more than 70 single-family homes, with four floor plans offering approximately 1,542 to 2,001 square feet. The homes feature predominantly single-story designs, open-concept living areas and energy-efficient construction. As of October 2026, pricing starts around $300,000.
The larger Crown Pointe development has received approval for a substantial number of homes across its various phases. County planning discussions have referenced approximately 1,153 homes within the broader development, although that figure represents the overall approved residential scope rather than the number currently under construction.
Crown Pointe's location near Highway 701 provides access to historic downtown Georgetown, shopping, restaurants, healthcare services, golf courses and area marinas. The development's scale also means that its eventual buildout will extend well beyond the initial neighborhood currently being constructed by Meritage Homes.
The proposed Blackwater River Club would add another substantial residential project to this same general area, making the relationship between the two developments particularly relevant as Georgetown County evaluates the cumulative effects of continued growth.
Peru Plantation by Beverly Homes Adds to the Growing Corridor
On the other side of Highway 701, Peru Plantation is another established part of the area's residential expansion.
Developed by Beverly Homes, Peru Plantation encompasses approximately 173 acres in the Georgetown area. The community features single-family homes, mature trees, green spaces and frontage along Six Mile Creek. Planned recreational amenities include a community swimming pool and cabana.
Homes in Peru Plantation have been selling since 2022, and the community has progressed well beyond its initial development phases. As of October 2026, well over 100 of the single-family homes have sold in Peru Plantation with the homes selling from close to $300,000 to the middle $400,000’s with an average selling price at around $350,000.
Beverly Homes is offering a range of three-, four- and five-bedroom floor plans, with home prices varying according to the design, size and features. The community's combination of established construction, additional approved homes and planned amenities demonstrates that residential growth along Highway 701 is already well underway.
The location also provides access to Georgetown's historic district and waterfront, while Pawleys Island and other destinations along the South Carolina coast remain within driving distance.
With Peru Plantation continuing to develop and Crown Pointe beginning its first residential phase, Blackwater River Club would enter an area where both current construction and future development plans are already influencing the local housing landscape.
A Larger Pattern of Residential Growth Around Georgetown
The proposed Blackwater River Club is part of a broader pattern of development involving large tracts of land around Georgetown. Former agricultural and plantation properties are increasingly being considered for residential neighborhoods, bringing new housing opportunities while also raising questions about infrastructure, traffic, stormwater management and environmental preservation.
The three developments illustrate different stages of that process. Peru Plantation has an established homebuilding history and additional approved phases. Crown Pointe is moving forward with its initial neighborhood while forming part of a much larger master-planned development. Blackwater River Club, by contrast, remains dependent on securing the requested rezoning.
For Blackwater River Club, the October 27 deferral leaves the next step unresolved. The applicant may return to County Council at a later date, but the project must still overcome the questions raised during the review process before the proposed 396-home community can move forward under the requested Planned Development zoning.