The mediation session concerning The Beach Co. and city officials in Charleston will now include neighborhood and preservation groups, as an attempt to determine what the height and scale of the next building on the Sergeant Jasper site will be. The groups won’t have the power to stop any deal that unfolds, but they will have an opportunity to contribute their concerns.

There are four groups that intend to participate: the Charlestowne and Harleston Village neighborhoods, and the Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Historic Charleston Foundation. Each is allowed to send an attorney and a single representative on their behalf. The groups have stated they are happy to be involved and they hope this set a precedent for future scenarios similar to this one and hope that they continue to have a voice in the community.

The Beach Co. wants to raze the existing 14 story brick tower already on the site, but its plans are facing fierce opposition. The company’s original goal was to build lower buildings featuring a grocery store and more than 450 apartments, but those plans were rejected by the city’s Board of Architectural Review. After the board rejected the latest proposal, the company sued and requested mediation, which is allowed under state law.

The CEO of The Beach Co. said his company has participated in more than 50 previous mediations concerning projects that aren’t necessarily welcomed by neighborhoods and preservation groups. He believes these mediation sessions are helpful and insists his company is committed to open dialogue and delivering a final product that makes everyone happy.