West Ashley Plan Adds 381 Homes Near Traffic Concerns
Nearby residents should watch access-point and tree-removal decisions as the 348-apartment, 33-townhome project moves through remaining reviews.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Apartments
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Charleston's Design Review Board reviewed the conceptual design for a proposed development at 350 Grand Oaks Boulevard in West Ashley, which would include 348 apartments and 33 townhomes.
Why it matters
The city has identified a need for housing, and the proposal aligns with Charleston's comprehensive plan to add high-density, mixed housing in West Ashley. Neighbors are concerned about increased traffic and tree loss in the area's green space, which is why access points and tree removal are under scrutiny.
The proposal calls for 348 apartments and 33 townhomes on the site. The developer has scaled back tree removal after earlier pushback, and the land has not been up-zoned.
The players
Charleston Design Review Board
The city panel that reviews the height, scale and mass of proposed developments in Charleston.
City of Charleston
The municipal government whose comprehensive plan calls for high-density, mixed housing in West Ashley.
The details
Planners are considering shifting access points toward West Ashley Circle and a planned Savannah Highway extension to keep traffic off neighborhood streets. The Design Review Board's focus is mainly on height, scale and mass, and it is also weighing design flow, including how townhouses are positioned relative to apartment buildings to create a transition from the boulevard into the development. The project must still clear preliminary, technical and final design reviews before construction can start.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Design Review Board reviewed the conceptual design for the development.
Six to 12 months after review: Estimated window before ground could be broken, depending on review and permit processes.
The Home Front
The proposal sits within Charleston's comprehensive plan, which seeks more high-density, mixed housing in West Ashley. The site's high, dry land near I-526 is one reason it fits that direction.
If you live near Grand Oaks Boulevard or along the West Ashley Circle and Savannah Highway corridor, watch for the access-point decision and tree-removal limits as the project moves through review. Renters and homeowners nearby can track future Design Review Board agendas to see how traffic and green-space concerns are resolved.
The takeaway
Neighborhood traffic and tree cover are the practical issues to watch as this West Ashley project moves toward construction. Keep an eye on the access-point decision toward West Ashley Circle, since it will shape how traffic reaches the site.
What happens next
The project must still clear preliminary, technical and final design reviews, and ground could be broken six to 12 months after review, depending on those reviews and permit processes.
Further reading
Browse more Charleston apartments coverage for context on how new rental supply is shaping the city.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Live5news.
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