MWV Selling Some of East Edisto Lowcountry Land in South Carolina

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For the first time, MeadWestvaco Corp., Richmond, Va., USA, is selling some its East Edisto land in the Lowcontry region of South Carolina. The East Edisto region master plan calls for at least 75% of the 72,000 acres to remain permanently rural. MWV plans to sell approximately 50,000 of the total acres over the next five years for rural uses. Portions of the remaining 22,000 acres will be used for a planned community.

MWV has owned this land for more than 90 years. This is the first time it has been for sale to the public. Currently, about 4,000 acres are for sale as different lot sizes.

The land for sale has density restrictions, ranging from one unit per four acres to one unit per 200 acres. The restrictions are stricter near the Edisto River. Much of the land will have density restrictions of one unit per 25 or 50 acres. The remaining land will be used for East Edisto, a planned, mixed-use community that will include housing communities, schools, parks, and commercial space.

MeadWestvaco has been planning the East Edisto region since 2007. The company currently has specific development plans for 6,000 of those acres. Construction will begin this year on the Summers Corner community, including residential neighborhoods and new schools.

According to MWV, "recent improvements in technology now allow us to grow more wood on fewer acres. So, we’ve been looking at East Edisto in a new way: as an opportunity to be part of a planning vision that helps manage the Charleston region’s growth, while

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