County Council - Regular Meeting

currently serve as chairman of council and I'd like to ask all of our council members and key personnel to introduce themselves starting with Mr. District 7 district four district one Kristen Worer Deputy clerk of council Walt Smalls deputy county administrator for general services I started to say bill two Honeyut district 9ki district two district five Rob Wman district three

Natalie Ham County Attorney thank y'all at this time we will begin our public hearings. Um, all our speakers should state their name for the record and are allowed up to two minutes to speak. And all speakers should uh make their comments remain to the topic and uh please be mindful of our u code of conduct that you agreed to when you signed in to speak. Notice is hereby given that Charleston County Council will hold a public hearing authoriz regarding an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a special source revenue credit agreement by and between Charleston County, South Carolina and North Charleston MF 1 LLC with respect to certain economic development property known as Rivers Landing Multi- Family Rental Pro uh project located in the county. And we do not have anybody signed up to speak on that one. Uh 1B,

Charleston County will hold a public hearing uh regarding the request to reszone TMS number 3500100011824 LC Drive and a.12 acre portion of TMS number 35001000014 1829 Belgrade Avenue from the Job Center District to the light commercial district residential office zoning district and Dupont Wapu o area overlay zoning district. Okay,

thank you very much. And this comprehensive plan amendment and resoning request is for 1824 LC Drive and at 0.12 acre portion of 1829 Belgrade Avenue in the St. Andrews area. for the uh zoning history. In 1994, the subject properties were zoned RS8, then RSL in 2001, which became lowdensity residential R4 in 2006. In 2016, the Dupont Wapu area overlay zoning district was created and the properties were zoned job center district in the overlay. The overlay district has three commercial districts with the light commercial district having three designations. The subject properties are looking to be downzoned from job center to light commercial residential office in order to match the adjacent property 1818 LC drive which has the same owner. Matching the zoning of these parcels will enable a subdivision to combine the properties to be completed. Here's the uh property location within the county. This is the current comprehensive plan map of the overlay district. This is the Zeldar map of the overlay district. This is the future land use map. And for the current zoning, uh, it shows, uh, parcel 110 has frontage on Elsie Drive, while the 0.12 acre portion of parcel 014 is to the east. Both are vacant, while the remainder of parcel 014 has a single family residence. The adjacent property to the north of parcel 110 has a pest control business while

the property to the east of parcel 014 has a hair salon. The property to the west has an HVAC business and the property to the south has the same owner as the subject properties and contains a daycare business. The subject properties are in flood zone X. It's the aerial view to the north and to the south. Here are photos of the subject properties and photos of the adjacent properties. This is a comparison of land uses between the current job center zoning district and the requested residential office zoning district. The uses in bold are only allowed in the district they fall under. The current zoning allows a density of 12 units per acre while the requested zoning allows four units per acre. These are the comprehensive plan amendment approval criteria, one of which needs to be met. This is the applicant's response to criterion D. Considering the compatibility of the comprehensive plan amendment with the comprehensive plan and future land use of the subject properties, the approval criteria may have been met. Therefore, staff recommends approval. This and the following slides are the staff response to the approval criteria for the resoning request. Approval criteria C and D are not applicable. and the resoning resoning approval criteria may not may have been met. Therefore, staff recommends approval. In planning commission recommended approval at their April meeting at the planning commission meeting, the applicant spoke in support of the request. No public input comments have been received and this request was noticed as

required. And this concludes the presentation. All right, we have three people signed up. The first person is Adrien Williams, followed by Lewis Lee Jr. and then Donnie Squire, Senior.

Good evening. Yeah, my name is Adrien Williams. I'm the engineer for the applicant for the owner. Uh the owner is looking at again reszoning this property to expand his existing uh daycare center that he has on 1818 uh ElC. And in order to do that, he wants to join these properties together again just to just to expand his business. Uh he's got a growth in the area and he's busting at the seams and he's he's needs some more space. Okay, the next person is Lewis Lee Jr.

Hi, my name is Lewis Lee Jr. Uh I live on Dulce Road which is neighborhood there. This is our neighborhood uh Elsie Drive to Doulsece Road has been taken over by wolves and sheep clothing. Uh they have been gnawing at the outside of our residential home district here. Uh these are all residential homes in here and you guys keep closing in from the north, south, east, and west with these commercial properties in work centers. If you ever went and looked at one of the work centers on Dulce Road, you will find that there's probably 40 cars in that thing a day. People working outside in the parking lot. These are no by any stretch of the imagination nice benign places. These are a cancer on our local homes there, our residential homes. This is a residential neighborhood and you guys just keep okaying commercial and job centers. These job centers are really a cancer for us. Thank you. That's

Donnie Squires Senior. My name is Donnie Squires. I uh live at 1919 Del Road, which LC Road runs into. And we have went through this with other businesses on that in our neighborhood. And so I uh want to let you know the traffic is getting tremendously because they're using this section of St. Andrews as a cut through to go to the office of 17 to go to 526 and everything like that. So we got there's another parking lot. That means more cars, right? And I don't need any more traffic in my neighborhood. And I try to combat it by asking for speed humps. And cars end up in the ditch on the curve. And Mr. Lamar and them down there, they've had them pulled out several times. So, if y'all going to approve more cars, how about do some traffic control and put my speed humps in?

Thank you. That's it for that one. Okay. Uh, moving on to item 1C.

Uh, Charleston County Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance and Good afternoon. So, we have some amendments to the zoning and land development regulations. And in September 2025, staff was directed by county council to explore amending the ZLDR to include infrastructure considerations in the approval criteria for reszoning and related applications requesting higher density or intensity than permitted in an existing zoning district. And then in December of 2025, the planning commission established a subcommittee to address this directive. The following are proposed amendments in response to the directive. In addition to the proposed amendments to address infrastructure, there are also additional amendments proposed to clarify the approval criteria and application requirements for plan development applications and to clarify the lapse of approval provisions for site plan review approvals and preliminary plat approvals. So the following are amendments are going to are are being proposed are to add an approval criterion addressing transportation and storm water management infrastructure for the following reasonzoning and related applications types. So we have the comprehensive plan amendment application and for those um we are proposing an approval criterion that proposes to change to a more in if a application is proposing to change to a more intense future land use category. And then for the ZLDR text amendment, I apologize.

Okay. For ZLDR text amendments, we are proposing to add an approval criterion that for applications that propose changing the zoning district designation of a property to a more intense zoning designation. And then we are also proposing the same for zoning map amendments if the applications propose changing the zoning district designation of a property to a more intense zoning designation. For plan developments, we want to clarify and expand the approval criteria by adding criteria that addresses compatibility with the surrounding areas and infrastructure. This update will align the review criteria for plan developments with those for resonings and the other related applications. The following amendments will be for plan development guidelines and for the applications. So, this amendment is going to clarify that traffic impact study requirements are required for all PD applications that meet the thresholds outlined in chapter 9 of the ZLDR, as well as for any applications proposing development intensity greater than what is currently permitted by the existing zoning district. Each traffic impact study must include recommended on-site improvements and corresponding construction timelines. Letters of coordination from appropriate transportation and public work agencies regarding the traffic impact study are also required. Here we are. We want to clarify that letters of coordination are required for plan development applications from appropriate transportation and public works agencies. the public works storm water division, water and sewer providers, CCSD emergency services, and Carter. And then at the applicant's request, the zoning and planning director may wave the letters of coordination from CCSD emergency services or Carter if the applicant submits documentation demonstrating

their attempts to obtain the required letters. This next section of amendments will be the following amendments will clarify lapse of approval provisions in accordance with the county vested rights ordinance number 1393 for site plan review approvals and preliminary plat approvals. So for site plan review approvals, this amendment clarifies that the the approval will expire and become void two years after the approval date unless a zoning permit has been issued or construction or development has begun and has not been suspended or abandoned for more than two years. you they will be applicants will be able to have up to five one-year extensions of the site plan review approval um granted if construction or development has not yet commenced but is being diligently pursued. Applicants must provide documentation dist demonstrating this pursuit and submit extension requests at least 15 days before the expiration of the original site plan review approval or any previously granted review appro site plan review approval extensions. Right? And then for preliminary plat approvals, they will also have after two years, if a final plat for the subdivision or any of its phases has not been approved, um that's when the preliminary plat approval will expire. Subdivisions developed in phases must include an approved phasing plan as part of the preliminary plat. And no construction or final plat are allowed for phases not included in that plan. This amendment clarifies that up to five one-year extensions may be granted if the applicant is diligently pursuing final plat approval. The applicant must provide documentation of the effort and they can submit extension requests at least 15 days before the expiration of the preliminary plat approval or any previously granted preliminary plat approval extensions.

The planning commission um heard this request on April 13th and they recommended approval. This slide shows the public comments received for the request prior to the planning commission. And this shows public comments prior to the public tonight's public hearing. And then this request was notified as required. Thank you. All right, we have four people signed up. The first person is Anna Kibblelat, followed by Carol Jackson. My name is Anna Kimmelat and I serve as the land and water policy manager for the Conservation Voters of South Carolina or CVS located at 712 Richland Street, Columbia, but I'm a Charleston County resident. CVS has been pursuing growth management legislation at the state level and is supportive of the proposed amendments to the ZLDR here in Charleston County. Charleston County continues to face growth pressures and if we don't find a way to manage those pressures, we risk losing the very character of our county that makes it such a desirable place to live in the first place. Both existing and new residents deserve the highest quality of life possible in Charleston County. We have seen upzoning after upzoning occur in the county close to the edge of or beyond the urban growth boundary. These repeated upzonings have strained our transportation and storm water infrastructure and have contributed to urban sprawl encroaching on our rural lands. Traffic is relentless and instances of flooding are becoming more extreme. When we overburden our infrastructure, we are forced to pursue costly retroactive infrastructure fixes with the bill often footed by the taxpayer. Considering infrastructure capacity prior to granting and upzoning can help alleviate that burden on the Charleston County taxpayer, protect our natural resources, and preserve the rural parts of our county. While we agree that we must find a way to build necessary housing stock in existing urban areas, this cannot come at the expense of the taxpayer or the natural environment that makes Charleston County so special. If storm water or transportation infrastructure capacity isn't readily available to accommodate

additional densities beyond what is allowed by Wright via the base zoning district, then that upzoning should not be granted. This is common sense. We hope to see Charleston County continue to be a leader both in effective urban planning policy and conservation. and that this is the beginning of a larger conversation around growth management in the county. These amendments to the ZLDR are an excellent start to considering infrastructure capacity prior to development and when the time comes, we urge you to vote in favor of these amendments. Thank you for your service and your dedication to Charleston County. Carol Jackson, then Tori Sanders.

Good evening, uh, Mr. Chairman and council members. I'm Carol Jackson. I live on Patterson Avenue on James Island and I'm here in support of the section 3 amendments to the ZLDR. Uh we thank you for taking positive steps toward managing growth in our county. These particular amendments would add storm water and transportation infrastructure capacity as approval criteria for the land uses that are commonly known as upzoning. Density increases are always expected to require infrastructure improvements that taxpayers can no longer shoulder. Thank you for understanding and taking responsibility for these responsibilities. I mean for these realities, sorry.

Tori Sanders, John Slogar. Good evening. My name is Tori Sanders. I'm here on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League at 131 Spring Street. We're um here tonight to speak in support of these proposed amendments and want to thank council for taking these steps and showing needed leadership here. Um, you know, the infrastructure criteria amendments that require applicants to demonstrate adequate transportation and storm water infrastructure capacity before intensifying land use designations is a common sense safeguard and one that protects existing residents and ensures that growth pays its own way. Um the plan development amendment similarly strengthened a process that has at times needed some more clear standards. Um and codifying compatibility and infrastructure criteria for PD approvals. Um and clarifying traffic impact study requirements uh for more intensive proposals brings consistency and predictability to a flexible but consequential approval pathway. Um and finally, we support the laps of approval clarifications which align the site plan review and preliminary PR plat timelines um and reduce ambiguity in how long approvals remain valid. Um you know, we believe that these amendments represent incremental but really important progress toward a review process that accounts for the um ever growing uh pressures that we're experiencing in Charleston County and um urge county at uh to adopt when the time is right. Thank you so much,

John Logar.

Good evening, John Logar, 5528 Frisco Lane, representing the John's Island Task Force. Um, what's your vision for Charleston County? I imagine each one of you have thought about that what you want the county to look like in 10 20 30 years but collectively you've already told residents what you want that uh vision to be and you've done that in the comprehensive plan specifically the comp your vision in the comprehensive plan is and I'll quote Charleston County will promote and protect the quality of life for all residents by preserving and protecting our natural cultural and historical resources prioritizing resident resilience and sustainability ensuring ing that existing and future development is coordinated with transportation and other community facilities on the local and regional level addressing housing affordab affordability issues and maintaining the location of the urban growth boundary. So let me repeat the the relevant portion there in your vision ensuring that existing and future development is co coordinated with transportation and other community facilities. The ZDL changes before you are simply a very small step towards implementing that vision. We encourage you to fulfill your vision by approving these changes. Thank you.

That's it for that one. All right. Moving on to Wend. Charleston County Council will hold a public hearing regarding an amendment to the Hamlin Beach Historic District designation to adopt an area character appraisal and additional contributing resources. Okay, that's right. Okay. Okay.

Good evening. Um, so as stated, this request is to amend the Hamlin Beach Community Historic District designation to include an area character appraisal and additional contributing resources. Here is a map that shows the properties that are currently included within the Hamlin Beach Community Historic District. 61.36% of registered voters within the historic district boundaries have signed in support of today's application. And I'm going to start off with a very brief overview of the area character appraisal with the understanding that you all have a full copy of that in front of you for your reference. Um so starting with the introduction to the ACA, I want to emphasize that community engagement occurred throughout the creation of this document. Also covered in the introduction is the methodology that was used to generate this document which included research and information gathering, surveying, documentation and fieldwork and mapping and GIS analysis. The community context chapter orients the reader where the Hamlin Beach community is located within Charleston County and how the community has been shaped around family compounds or clusters. The historic background chapter includes a timeline of important moments in the community's history. It also includes a photo of the original document that deeded acreage to the first African-American residents of Hamlin Beach. It also covers the importance of the Sweetg Grass basket art both historically and today and several historic photographs to include uh are included to show Hamlin Beach throughout the years. This map shows places of significance throughout the community and includes many gathering places which demonstrate the importance of community connection within Hamlin Beach. The land use and development patterns chapter contains many vital maps including those that denote the important nodes and gateways within the community. It also includes a

zoning map and a map that shows the street hierarchy. It includes a map that shows the number of dwelling units per parcel, uh the lot coverage in the community as well as the existing building footprints. And the chapter also includes maps that display both the existing land uses and the future land use designations for both Charleston County and the town of Mount Pleasant. The landscape and natural features chapter includes a map of the wetlands, the 100red-year flood plane, and the tree canopy within the district. This chapter also includes a discussion about the community's endeavors to preserve both public and private open spaces as well as the importance of smallcale agriculture and water features and how flooding has been impacting the community. Moving on to the architecture and the built environment. The chapter starts with a conversation about the impact of Hurricane Hugo on the community and how many of the existing wooden structures were destroyed and replaced with elevated mobile homes. This chapter also art outlines the material culture of the Hamlin Beach community as well as important architectural details including the windows, roofs, paint colors, and porches. It also talks about solar panels, the entryways and ramps found in the community and common fencing materials. This chapter describes the um the typical height, scale, and mass of buildings found throughout the community. It also describes the residential architectural building types that are found without Hamlin Beach and these include uh manufactured housing units, ranches, split level homes, uh stylized ranches, millennium mansions, and barnuminiums. The community did also outline several threats that they feel they're facing as well as several areas the community views as positive opportunities. And the document is wrapped up with a conclusions and recommendations section

that outlines the community's desired next steps on how they will act on this document. So in addition to that area character appraisal, the community is also proposing to add additional contributing resources to their designation. So, please be reminded that the definition for contributing resources is a building, object, site, or structure in a historic district or on a historic property that contributes to the district or property's historical significance through location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. So, here is a map showing the Hamlin Beach Community District with all of the properties that currently have identified contributing resources. And here is a map that shows the proposed additional contributing resource parcels in blue. This application includes 30 historic homes within the district that have been identified for inclusion as contributing resources. The community also wishes to include a historic street marker at the corner of Kalen and Hamlin Road as well as several properties that have been identified for inclusion as contributing resources because they still retain the hand pumps that originally served as main sources of water for those living within the Hamlin Beach community. And four additional properties that include historic sites are also proposed as contributing resources. And these include the site of Johnson's Candy Store and the Hamlin Beach Basketball Court. The site of the Hamlin Beach Baseball Field Disco 9000 and the Junior Bum Joint. Uh another property that had an additional baseball field and still retains two historic live oak trees. And lastly, the site of Benjamin Bennett Senior's Candy Store. So, in order to approve an application for an area character appraisal study or any other documentation that supports the application, all the following criteria must be met. One, the documentation refers to the historic property or district. Two, the

documentation contributes to the reason or significance for the designation. And three, the documentation was verified by an appropriate third-party professional. In order to approve an application to identify contributing resources, all of the following criteria must also be met. Number one, the resource is located within the historic district or historic property. Two, the resource contributes to the historic associations, historic architectural qualities or archaeological values for which the historic property or district is significant. And three, the resource retains enough of its historic physical features to convey its significance as part of the historic property or district. The applicant did provide responses to all of the approval criteria and staff does believe the approval criteria has been met and does recommend approval of this request to amend the Hamilton Beach Community Historic District designation to adopt their area character appraisal and the additional 37 contributing resources listed on this slide. The Historic Preservation Commission also recommended approval of this request at their March 15th meeting. During that meeting, three individuals spoke in support of the application and one shared general comments. We've also received 11 written comments in support of this application as well as one uh written general comment and we have not received any comments in opposition. We did of course notice this meeting as required. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Okay, we have two people signed up to speak. The first person is Myra Richardson followed by Lester Manag. Hello, my name is Mara Snipe Richardson. I'm the current president of the Hamlin Beach Community Association. I am one of the ones that filled out the application for the historic district and also our area character appraisal. We are honored, it was an honor and a pleasure working with my community, the Hamlin Beach community as we worked on a historic district as we walk through the community. I became a tourist in my own neighborhood looking for things that that are significant to the Hamlin Beach and not just the Hamlin Beach community to other Galaguchi communities or settlement communities. When we talked to the residents, we actually started telling them about the area character appraisal early 2025. We had uh meetings. We had the notices doing our community meetings. We posted what the area character appraisal, you know, everything that would include. We worked very well with the cohort. We enjoyed the Clemson students coming out to tour our community. There were a beautiful, beautiful group of people that that shared so much joy with us as we traveled through the community looking at the different sites. We were so pleased with the work that they provided. We worked very well with Emily, with um Liz Balls and also Kate Miller with the town of Mount Pleasant to finalize the documents. But truly, the Hamlin Beach community has worked very hard to protect and preserve what we have, and we want to continue it on for generations to come. And as we were going through the neighborhood, there were some things that needed to be talked about and discussed. We asked

Charleston County to come out in December in order for them to answer any and all questions that the community may have. We also asked Charleston County to do a historic preservation meeting. They did one in January and I'm just pleased that they're going to do another one this month. We are working very hard for other communities to do the same. But traveling through our community, I walked around with this red book and sometimes it was 5 minutes before signature. Other times it was an hour as we explained what it was for the community. So thank you again for considering this and we're honored and it's our pleasure to do this. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Luis De Managold. I live at 2755 Atlanta Drive in the Hamlin Beach community. I am an officer on the board of the Hamlin Beach uh community association. I request that you approve the amendment um of for the area character appraisal and also for the contributing resources. The ACA is a picture of what our community looks like and it will assist you all in seeing what the other communities look like. And because each settlement community is laid out differently, this area character appraisal, our amendments, and the contributing resources will assist county in seeing what these settlement communities will look like. So therefore, I do request that you approve the area character appraisal along with the contributing resources. Thank you.

All right. Okay, now we'll move on to public comments. Uh, just as a reminder, council members are not allowed to engage in discussion during the public comments. All speakers should state their name for the record and are allowed two minutes to speak. All right, we have four people signed up to speak. The first person is Randy Delp, followed by George Freeman.

Good evening, County Council members and staff. My name is Randy Del. I live on Stonecrop uh Stonecrop Lane on John's Island. In the public comment time a month ago, I briefly shared my personal experience growing up in a community that unfortunately realized too late the immense and numerous benefits of preserving open space for over from overdevelopment. I commend the county council members and staff and your initiatives to engage the public in this referendum in the community input online survey results. That's a mouthful posted on the county website. 35% of respondents indicated that funding for public transportation is too high in their estimation. Conversely, 29% also said that funding for green belt open space was too low. Similar responses came from the public opinion polling. I respectfully ask that you hear and respond to the voice of the public and their support of green belt funding and return the additional 200 million in funding back to the green belt initiative as county staff had originally recommended. you will give this TST referendum the best chance of passing by listening to the public, the voice of the public and their support of green belt funding and re and um and and restore that that funding back um to the the green belt funding as originally recommended. Charleston County uh has spoken and their priorities have been expressed and we we ask that you consider those um the voice of the the people in your final draft. Investments in green belt and open space preservation have overwhelmingly been passed in similar tax referendums in municipalities and counties across the country. Green belt

funds significantly curve overdevelopment as you and Please, please um request that you um reconsider that appropriation for uh funding for green belt. Thank you. George Freeman, Myra Richardson.

Good evening. George Freeman, president of Cage Organization, 2347 Highway 17 North. When the survey process started for the transportation sales tax, the cage organization was excited about getting involved and trying to help in the solution of traffic in the M pleasant area. We presented a proposal that never got in and we are still here tonight to try to get some kind of proposal in to help solve the problem on Highway 17 in Mont Pleasant. I presented a map before you tonight where they shows a circle on the map and in that circle the the length of that road is less than a mile and it will connect Billy's Wales to Highway 17. That road will run parallel to 17 and will provide an opportunity to traffic to go beyond the congested area from 41 to Porsche Bluff in the Mont Pleasant area. If you take a look at it and really um concentrate on it, you can see that this road will provide immediate relief to Highway 17 with this parallel road running along next to it. People coming south on Highway 17 will be able to make a left turn, get on this road, and avoid that entire section of Highway 17 between 41 and Porsche Bluff. I beg you take a serious look at this map and look at this proposal that we have before you this short distance of road a great problem in Mont Pleasant. Thank you.

Myra Richardson Michael German.

Hello again. Myra 2755 Johnson Lane. I would like to talk about the moratorum that will expire July 23rd 2026. Our communities are working very hard together. We have an organization community alliance that we are actively working with additional communities to work on their historic districts and also discussion with the ACA area character to appraisal. We still need more time before overdevelopment clear cutting and just continuing to build in our community. If you look at what's happening on Clemus Ferry Road is Berkeley County, but it affects Charleston County with traffic coming through the Philips community and on to Highway 17. So these communities need an opportunity to continue to work on the things that have been put before us. Historic district overlay, the 10mi community just finished their overlay. We are working with them as well to get the overlay done for Hamlin Fullup Snouten. We're working on these things and putting things in place. We do still need more time. We're asking that you extend the moratorum beyond July 23rd, 2026, please. We need that help and we need the opportunity to continue to work on what's been put before you. We also are working and asking with the sewer line being forced to annex into the town pleasant in order to receive sewer. And I can understand a homeowner wanting to build a home. So basically, if you're telling me I have to do it, I'm going to do what I need to do in order for my family to make a home in a neighborhood. But to be forced to have to annex for sewer, you used our communities to get sewer and the infrastructure in place. And now in the Hamlet community, you're using Hamlin Plantation's property line

to force the residents in Hamlin Beach to annex into the Tom M Pleasant. We got two two that were forced to annex in. Please help us with this problem. Thank you. Michael German.

Good evening. Michael German, 1707 Snowden Road. And this evening I want to talk to you about sidewalk. Sidewalk in the Snow community. Back in March of 2007, we had a young lady that lives in the community that was struck and killed by an automobile while walking along Snowden Road. All of you are aware of the traffic uh patterns on Longpoint Road uh as it relates to Snouten Road. Anytime there's an incident on Snowden Road, that traffic is rerouted on Snowden Road. There's a sidewalk on Longpoint Road, but there's nothing on Snowden Road. When Longpoint Road floods or there's an accident, all that traffic still comes through the Snow community. But the slap in the face to me is when Snowden Road Longpoint Road floods and you reroute the traffic through Snow Road, you rerouting them through the same water because Snow Road floods as well. My point is we've been after this. Many people prior to me uh for many years have been coming here requesting that sidewalk. Recently, in the past couple of years, funding has been allocated to do a partial sidewalk, but we're talking nearly 20 years later. Uh I intended to see transportation committee meeting this morning, and it always seems as if we're being pushed on the back burner when it comes to getting this sidewalk completed. And after 20 years, I'm just saying, what else do we need to do to get that funding that's needed to complete this project? It's been gone on going on for

too long, and we need closure. Thank you. That's it. Okay. Okay. At this time, we're going to begin our county council meeting, and I'm going to ask Mr. Darby to lead us in prayer. Follow Mr. Sass in the pledge. If you don't find it sacrilegious, let us bow our heads, please. To the great I am that I am. Bless our hearts and minds and guide our hearts and minds that our convictions are not for self but for the betterment of all. Amen. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God. indivisible with liberty and justice for allible. All right, the Freedom of Information Act. In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, notice of meetings was posted and agendas were distributed to news, news, media, and persons requesting notification. All right, moving on to item 2A, EMS week resolution.

Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Eyes have it. At this time, I'd like to invite our EMS staff to come forward, please. a resolution of Charleston County Council to designate the week of May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as emergency medical services week. Whereas emergency medical services is a vital public service and whereas the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to pro to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And whereas access to quality emergency care dra dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. And whereas emergency medical services has grown to fill a gap by providing important out of hospital care including preventative medicine follow-up care and access to tele medicine. And whereas the emergency medical services systems consist of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, prehosp nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care providers. And whereas the members of the emergency medical services team, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills. And whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of the emergency medical services providers by designating emergency medical services week. Now therefore, be it resolved that in recognition of this event, Charleston County Council does hereby proclaim the week of May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as Emergency Medical Services Week. The theme for the 52nd anniversary of EMS week is improving outcomes together. We encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate program ceremonies and activities in honor of the EMS profession and the essential services it

provides. Charleston County Council Joseph A. Boyin, Chairman Again, we cannot thank you enough for the service you provide. I know all of us appear share in the belief that public safety is our very first priority. I think a lot of folks in the community take for granted, but when they make that 911 call, they just expect you all to show up and every time you do. And so we thank you very much and we appreciate all that you do.

Well said. On behalf of Char County, we really thank the council for taking the time to adopt this resolution. Um, it's much too common throughout the county for this EMS to go unrecognized or underrecognized and that is not the case in Charleston County and it's through the the leadership of the council. We really thank each and every one of you for always looking out for us and as well as DCA Watson for always having our backs um from the EMS side. So, thank you all. Appreciate it.

Thank you. Moving on to item three, third reading of ordinances 3A. an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a special source revenue credit agreement by and between Charleston County, South Carolina and North Charleston MF1 LLC with respect to certain economic development property known as the Rivers Landing Multifamily Rental Project located in the county whereby such property will receive certain special source revenue credits and other matters related there too. All right. Um, just for the record, Mr. Mr. Prior did submit a statement of conflict of interest. Mr. Darby,

hi. Mrs. Honeyut, hi. Mr. Kabowski, nay. Mr. Middleton is absent. Mr. Moody. Hi. Mr. Sass. Hi. Mr. Worman. I Mr. Boyin. Hi. The ordinance receives third reading with one, two, three, four, five, six eyes, one nay, one absent, and one abstension. Okay. Moving on to item 4 A. financial recommendation budget items brief discussion go ahead Mr. ask

I just I'll make it brief this the ask the questions I asked it last time but this is a a public meeting so this the we're giving incentives and I've heard lots of good arguments why to do this and I respect those and but I just wanted to reiterate that the company is called project number eight which is not the actual name correct that's correct and respectfully I just can't vote for a company I don't know the name of not to dismiss anything that you're doing and that whatever the company's name is, they currently employ 12 people. Is that correct? That's correct.

That part of this the county in addition to keeping the tax rate the same for 25 years would also um give an amount of money in addition that of $50,000 towards them employing 12 more people. Correct. That's a grant. Yes, sir. And I just respectfully ask, as a small business owner myself, are there hundreds of small businesses in Charleston County that employ 12 people? Or do we have any idea how many businesses there are that employ about 12 people? I I don't know that number.

Law firms, restaurants, anything. We don't know. Correct.

No, sir. But um my opposition is not because you're not doing something good that will create more jobs, but I also ask we heard today from people were on economic development on steroids and and I remember being here when the shipyard closed down. We're still operating the same way and driving here today. the traffic is immense and bringing more people and I just my opposition is that there's probably hundreds of small businesses that employ 12 more pe 12 people or less that would would love to have the opportunity to keep their taxes the same for 25 years and would love to get a $50,000 grant to expand for 12 more people. And that's my reason and I understand by doing this as with any I asked last time with any small business it would result in if we give them $50,000 and keep their taxes. I understand there'd be more tax revenue in the future but that would employ that would apply to any small business. Correct.

Correct. And thank you for my brief comments and chairman I guess I have one about um 4B2. Should I wait for that vote or do that now? If if you would please. Now or wait. That's fine. Okay. And I asked for on 4B. It's the same question because I didn't get to ask last time. Project Keystone is not the name of the company. Correct. Correct. And on this one, it we're keeping the um the taxes the same for a period of time. Is that part of the deal? That's correct. And also the county will give $200,000 to this business to expand. Correct.

I I would say that we're not giving it to them, sir. But there there is there's criteria they have to meet for that $200,000 grant, sir. And forgive me, I wasn't trying to imply anything else. Just from what I read that we're a grant will come from the county that about $200,000 to this company and and the South Carolina Department of Commerce as well, sir. And that's an addition to our 200,000. That is correct, sir. But the 200,000 would come from us. Yes, sir. All right. Thank you very much. Mr. May, would you like to do A and B? We can separate them if you want. I'm I'm indifferent. His motion was for A and B. It was for A and B. I'm sorry. Make sure I was clear on that. Okay. All right. I had a question. All right. All right. Sorry. Go ahead, Mr. Mr. Johnson. Is

there any Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is there anything preventing any 12 person small business from doing a development like this and applying to your office for grants and incentives that you've No, sir. Thank you. All right. Discussion is over. Um all in favor say I. I. All opposed.

I have. an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee in lie of tax agreement by and among Charleston County and entities currently known to the county as project number eight including any related or affiliated entities and any sponsor affiliates whereby Charleston County will enter into a fee in lie of tax arrangement with project number eight provided for the payment by project number eight of certain fees in lie of advalorum taxes and other matters related there too. An ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee in lie of a tax agreement by and between Charleston County and Project Keystone, including any related or affiliated entities and any sponsor affiliates whereby Charleston County will enter into a fee in lie of tax arrangement with project keystone provided for payments by project keystone of certain fees in lie of advalorum taxes and other matters related there too.

Consent agenda move for approval and B. Second. All right. with a I just note for the record, Mr. Chairman, my concern about Hawk Lights on busy roads. Yes, sir. Um, any discussion? All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Eyes have it. Uh, committee recommendations for approval A and C. A through C. Second. All right. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Moving on to council comments. Uh, we'll start with Mr. Wearman, nothing for me tonight, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Moody. Nothing. Thank you, sir.

All right, Mr. Cabrowski. I'm sorry, Mr. Prior. I'm good tonight, sir. Nothing. Okay. Um, Mr. Darby, nothing other than I would like to see Mr. Figin after meeting, sir, to discuss this. All right. Mr. Kapowski,

this I wanted to thank the the staff for what they did on the Hamlin Beach area character appraisal. That was great and I think it would be tremendously helpful. And I want to thank um the speakers that came, especially from the Hamlin community. I hope and pray this has the effect that you want. It would preserve something irreplaceable. And this is work that is much needed. And we're planning ahead and projecting be and this is what we should be doing. and I hope we're successful and thank you for all your hard work and for the time to come here tonight. Mr. Prior, come back.

Um, I'd like to, you know, at our next agenda, uh, either it don't have to be a hurry, but before July to the 23rd to discuss our extension of the moratorum. Okay. Okay. She did a punch. I was going to say it anyway tonight. I'll ask the clerk to put that on the agenda. Yeah. Whichever committee needs to go, we need to look into that. Okay. Okay. All right. Mr. Sass. Uh, nothing for me tonight, Miss Honeyut. I just want to say thank you to staff for your work on these, uh, James Island projects. I know some of these have been a long time coming, so we really appreciate the efforts that have been, uh, made, and I think appreciate council voting to move those forward. Thank you. All right, Madame Clerk.

Okay. Okay. Um, I will in just a second. U, Madam Attorney, All right. Um, the clerk has reminded me to let everyone know that we're having the EMS headquarters groundbreaking on Thursday at 1:00. So, y'all are all invited to come. Love to see you there. Um, I guess with that, I don't have anything to say tonight except for thanks for everyone to make this meeting run so smooth and thank all of y'all that took your time to come out and and tell us your thoughts and share them with us. So, we're journed.