City Council - Regular Meeting

well.

are we ready okay uh i'd like to call this june 16th meeting of city council to order madam clark will you please call the roll council member greg council member shealy council member mcbride council member pulque here council member brady president council member d alessandro yeah council member waring council member seekings council member tinkler council member bowden council member appell

here council member scarden mayor cogswell here i'd now like to ask council member brady to give the invocation and lead everybody in the pledge of allegiance yes thank you mr mayor we can all bow our heads uh in honor of america's 250th anniversary as a uh eagle scout i'd like to offer the philmont grace if that's okay which is for food, for raiment, for life, for opportunity, for friendship and fellowship, we thank thee, O Lord. Amen.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, before we get started with presentations and recognitions, I did want to just remind members of council, this is a week of remembrance that we have here in Charleston for two tragedies. the Mother Emanuel shooting, and the Charleston 9 Super Superstore fire. We have two memorials this week. Just wanted to make sure you all are aware of. If you're able to attend, there will be a church service tomorrow at noon at Mother Emanuel. And then there will be a memorial at the Sofa Superstore site, which is adjacent to Fire Station 11 on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. So I just wanted to make sure you all were aware of that. Hopefully some of you are able to attend. Okay, we're now moving on to presentations and recognitions. We have the first presentation is honoring a native son who was not listed on the agenda because there were some concern over potential crowds. That got back to the recipient and he is a very bashful person. very nervous in crowds and talking to groups of people. So unfortunately, Stephen Colbert will not be here this evening, but we are going to honor him with this proclamation. So if you will bear with me. Whereas Stephen Tyrone Colbert was born on May 13th, 1964 in Washington, DC and raised right here in Charleston, South Carolina, growing up on James Island, attending Stiles Point Elementary School and going on to graduate from Porter Goud School. And whereas Stephen Colbert is the youngest of 11 children of Lorna and Dr. James Colbert, whose family made their home in Charleston and whose father served the community through his work at the Medical University of South Carolina. And whereas he rose to prominence on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, created and starred in the Colbert Report from 2005 to 2014, and in 2015 became the host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, where for a decade he entertained millions with intelligence, humor, and an unmistakable Charleston-forged character. And whereas throughout his career, Stephen Colbert has never forgotten where he came from, maintaining deep ties to the Lowcountry, keeping a home on Sullivan's Island with his wife, Evie McGee Colbert, another proud Charleston native, and sharing Charleston with the world through his platform. Even their dog, Benny, a Boykin Spaniel, is a nod to South Carolina's official state dog. And whereas on May 21st, 2026, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode, closing the curtain on one of the most celebrated runs in late night television history. And it is only right that the city of Charleston pause to recognize one of its most beloved native sons and the extraordinary career that he built. Now, therefore, I, William S. Cogswell, Jr., Mayor of the City of Charleston, do hereby proclaim June 16, 2026, as Stephen Colbert Day. Let's give him a round of applause. Okay. Next up, we have a recognition of a woman that needs no introduction, but I would ask that Lori Garbar, where is she? She's always used to being on that side. If she could join me up here as we honor her long time commitment to the City of Charleston and the Recreation Department. Absolutely. Whereas Lori Yarborough faithfully served as director of the Department of Recreation at the City of Charleston for 30 years, starting when she was just 15, contributing significantly to the quality of life of residents of every age. And whereas under her leadership, the Department of Recreation experienced significant growth in athletics, aquatics, facilities, therapeutic recreation, arts, and enrichment programs, expanding opportunities for Charleston's diverse community while advancing the department's commitment to inclusivity and recreation for all. And whereas Ms. Yarborough brought passion, commitment, and infectious enthusiasm to the city of Charleston, and her dedication has left an everlasting impact on all who have had the privilege of serving alongside her. And whereas A proud South Carolina native, devoted Gamecock fan, an avid tennis player, her public service and stewardship to recreation is unmatched. And whereas her dedication to recreation will leave a lasting legacy, positively impacting her Charleston community and inspiring generations of future participants for many, many years to come. Now, therefore, I, William S. Cogswell, Jr., Mayor of the City of Charleston, hereby honor and recognize Lori Yarborough for all that she has done for this city. Let's give her a round of applause.

Please, everybody should know.

Those of you that know me well know that this is not my favorite thing. Um, but it gives me a good chance to say a few things that I need to say first mayor. Thank you. Uh, into city council for the opportunity to work for you and with you. Um, I've worked for several mayors and councils now over the years, 30 years, you see a lot of faces come and go. But I'm proud of the work we've all done together, and I thank you for that. I'd like to thank the city staff over here. There's some great men and women. Excuse me, I'm a little choked up over there, but I appreciate all your support. I certainly want to recognize the Department of Recreation staff. You have 225 people that are tremendously great. three of which are over there, and I appreciate you all attending. Jennifer said we couldn't bring everybody, so we didn't. So I wanted to tell you, I am a lucky person. When I was 12, I realized in this gym that I was playing basketball in, you can hear the basketballs on that wooden floor. I realized there were these people standing in shirts just like what I'm wearing right now, and they were earning a living. And I thought, oh, my God, that's what I want to do. Well, my parents were not very excited, but I did. i did manage to make a great career it's been my biggest honor to work here um and let me let me leave by saying please let me continue to ask you to fund parks and recreation it's so important don't don't let that slip so we used to have a saying we're number four we knew we weren't police we knew we weren't fire and we knew we weren't sanitation but by golly we could be number four okay so make sure you keep funding that and i appreciate everything thank you thank you

We got to show the seal and everything. Let's make it official. Yes. Thank you. All right, one more round of applause.

Okay, last one, but certainly not least, we have a proclamation honoring Pride Month here in the City of Charleston. Whereas the City of Charleston embraces and celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the fundamental rights and dignities of all residents. And whereas the month of June has been widely recognized as Pride Month, honoring the LGBTQ plus community and commemorating the historic Stonewall riots of June 1969, which marked a turning point in the fight for equality and justice for all. And whereas the city of Charleston acknowledges the vital role played by the LGBTQ plus individuals in shaping our vibrant community, fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity. And whereas we recognize the important work of the LGBTQ plus organizations, advocates and allies who tirelessly strive to create more inclusive and equitable society, fostering understanding, support and respect for all residents of Charleston. And whereas it is the city's responsibility to promote an environment of respect, of dignity, and equality for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Now, therefore, I, William S. Cogswell, Jr., Mayor of the City of Charleston, along with City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of June, 2026, as Pride Month in the City of Charleston, and we call upon all residents to observe this month with respect and support for all. Okay, we are now on to public hearings. Um, we have eight public hearings tonight. Christopher Morgan, if you could make your way up to the microphone.

Thank you, mayor, council. These are all recent annexations. So this should go pretty quickly.

Um, is this, is this on?

I just have to get closer. Sorry. Okay. We've got a 2116 Parkway Drive on James Island. It will come in the city as single and two-family residential. And you've got the image of the property there. Let's see.

A little advance for me. Here we go.

And then we've got 2028 Coker Avenue, also on James Island. It also would come in as single and two-family residential. We have an image of that both of these are in riverland terrorists. Then we have 1918 second drive and West Ashley come in the city is sr to. Have an image of it here. And then we have 1812 green war drive and West Ashley would come in the city is sr one there's an image of it there.

Okay.

And then we have 816 East, oops, 816 East Estates Boulevard would come in the city as SR1. It's in West Ashley as well. You can see the image there. Okay, then 1519 South Pine Bark Lane would come in the city as SR1. Shove it here. A little bit sluggish. Here we go. Here we go. And that is the property. And then we have 2349 Brevard Road. We come in the city as SR1. We have an image of it here. And there we go. And then finally, 1332 North Edgewater Drive. We come in the city as SR1. And those are your public entries for this evening.

And we have one person signed up.

All right, let's give a minute and a half for anybody that signed up. Please call the first speaker.

All right. Anthony G. Bryant.

Right. 2150 Portland Avenue. I made public comment. When the city on Charleston County's budget 20262027. And this goes in line with my concern for the half stand sales tax 1, 2. The increase in July 2nd, possibly by the many energy corporation. A rate increases from probably 1120 dollars 11 dollars. so again the capacity you're making requests from county council support a half cent sales tax but we're not measuring in terms of every time you make an annexation or add capacity, what's the benefit to those existing residents waiting for quite some time? The issue is people are coming in, we've been here for a while, we have to have to balance between what's what. Secondly, there's no conversation with the opposition to the half-same sales tax to come to some level of approving the conditions. So I basically am in the middle of that. I feel that there's something going on in terms of existing residents over 20 to 30 years being overlooked for their contributions and paying back to those who've been here from, say, five to 10 years and making these requests of capacities they created. I want to make sure that's on the record. We're on county council right now. Agent Anthony G. Bryant is there and is there right now to deal with. So we've got to start talking about how you create this capacity of these owners and what's the benefit to those for quite some time. Thank you.

Was there anyone else who needed to speak to any of the public hearings? Citizens' participation will be later on in the agenda.

Any questions, comments from council members? Councilman Brayder.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Morgan, I just had a quick question. I saw on the slides some of the future land use was low-impact conserved, but it's coming into the city as SR1 land. Uh, how does that eventually meet the future land use in terms of, uh, how it eventually gets to low impact conserve, which is what the city is trying to kind of get to.

Right. So if it was low impact and conserved and not developed, um, it would be a different story, but these are all in the midst of surrounding neighborhoods that we already have a number of lots in. So we go ahead and bring them in. It is an acknowledgement that it is an area that could have impacts in the future. But because we already have other lots in those surrounding areas, it's kind of looked at as it's a pre-existing condition.

Any further questions, comments for Mr. Morgan? If not, I have a motion for approval, items 1 through 8. That has been properly seconded. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Ayes have it. We now have approval of the May 12th council minutes. Can I entertain a motion? Move for approval. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Ayes have it. We're now on to citizens participation. Madam Clark, how many people do we have signed up?

We have three.

All right, so we'll give everybody a minute and a half. Just remind everybody of the rules of decorum. Just ask that you be respectful. This is not a question and answer session. We look forward to hearing from you, but again, be polite. Thank you.

Anthony G. Bryan.

Anthony G. Bryan on behalf of my nephew. Keith Anthony Bryant, which I hadn't seen in quite some time, he has eight mugshots on Charleston County Sheriff's website. I am his uncle. I've made opposition to the Sheriff's Department, the town of Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston on a number of their practices. One of the city councils have a public integrity issue. One of the council members have a public integrity issue on Charleston County Schools by the U.S. Attorney and FBI. The town of Mount Pleasant is cheating on their tests. So I'm his uncle, making these statements. And I submitted for the record that possibly he could have been hurt in a county jail. In a county jail, probably people died in a county jail. I was unaware of that as his uncle. He's a grown man. He's my nephew. And therefore, I'm here for that particular reason, not in the city of Charleston, but here. And I am his uncle, and I stand with my nephew. That's my brother's son who passed at 47. So I want to make sure it's on record for the town of Mount Pleasant. Anthony G. Bryant will be coming to Mount Pleasant. He will be coming to North Charleston in the terms of affiliation. I grew up in the city of Charleston where affiliation is real and the tribe control bill for years. So he wouldn't know the people I know. You know, people we would know in prison, state prison, not, you know, we don't go to Porter, Goddard, Michigan with the Norton High School. I didn't go to your high schools. Went to school with the real brothers in the community. I went to college, too, from that. And did pretty well from those brothers and sisters. I've connected them forever, not him, but me. So I've connected my nephew, Keith Anthony Bryant. I'm his uncle. I'm here. Let the mayor of North Charleston know that. The mayor of Mount Pleasant know that. And the sheriff know that. But I'm his uncle. Have a nice evening.

Laura Stossel.

i'm here food truck situation the food parts are we up to that point here it's this is the time to speak about that yes so here thank you for having us in charles just moved here and we're part of the food part issue problem as a nightmare um i know it's going to be going up a bit in the future we're all discussing it um Not only should it go to a bid, I understand that, but we have to have moves with the bid that a lot of food trucks are, food carts are not doing. Yeah, it'll look good. I mean, this is Charleston. You have to be respectful. You have to, you know, you have to represent your brand. And then you also have to represent Charleston. I'm the people, we're the people right outside here. We've gone to a lot of effort to make our cart look like Charleston, make it clean. make us friends. We have a lot of people that come through town. We can make a fortune on just pictures. I mean, we have more pictures taken than we sell and make. So I'm like, maybe we should do like a dollar kitchen. But don't throw, one of their, they love the food, the food carts, food trucks around Charleston. They love it. Their complaint they have is that it's the same same brand like there's one particular pot that has three spots who sell the same exact thing they would like to see like a hot dog um ice cream you know not three spots with the three exact items on um some of these food vendors it's it's awful time yes ma'am and then mr social i believe

Thank you. So to pick up where Laurel left off, the presence needs to be uniform and represent Charleston well. We see probably a million, not a million, but everyone's tourist, and they're happy to be here, and we need to continue to project a good image. Some objectivity with the bid process, we were subject to that up in New Jersey, and it would work well. Or perhaps maybe like Laura mentioned, had a diversity in food carts instead of just one particular cart holding three spaces. With the proposed elimination of the two up on King Street, maybe perhaps the council or traffic and transportation would consider reallocating those spaces. Some spaces have less foot traffic and are more seasonal, like going by the college. One out in front of the visitor center, for instance, may not have as much food traffic, foot traffic. We know that the four downtown are obviously the best ones. Maybe on a rotational basis or a bid basis. That's great. And basically just consider the other consideration for traffic and transportation. You see our setup out there. We have a tow vehicle and a trailer. I understand the need for ability to remove it quickly. It would be excellent if we had the ability to not have to try and find parking for those two items at all times. maybe just designate a vendor parking space or something along those lines to just facilitate us getting in and out in a in a more orderly fashion instead of double parking in front of the street and everyone going home here it's you know it could be it could be dicey at times um other than that we're happy to be here we just came down from virginia and new jersey prior to that we love this town it's just it's the live is great um and that's basically it

And we also received some comments online. One comment was received from Zagva City praising the Traffic and Transportation Department's decision to hold a competitive bid and urging Council to preserve the ability to adapt by adopting short terms which balance new entrepreneurial efforts with long-standing businesses with the community. One comment was received from Jerome Harris urging council to defer item in one due to concerns regarding the elimination of financial assistance and loans to support small business development. One comment was received from Anthony G Bryant, which was sent to council in full. And two emails were received from Lexi Frazier and Natalie Sullivan opposed to amending the restrictive covenants on 1025 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard to allow for an event space. And those are all the comments we received.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. moving on we are now uh to petitions and communications we only had two items there and i believe uh let's see the the they have been removed uh then they would report out i guess uh at the next council meeting the first one has been moved to the traffic and transportation report on the agenda but the second one has been deferred until july okay i should read my notes here so the first item has been moved to traffic and transportation the second one has been deferred until july so now moving on to consent agenda we have four committee reports under the consent agenda hr rec community development and special facilities they do not require any informa any action just for information purposes but wanted to offer those chairs any um uh summary if they'd like we'll start with hr committee

Thank you. We had a meeting. I think the most important thing we talked about, well, we talked about a drug-free workplace policy, which we currently have in place, and whether that's appropriate for all of our jobs. Still continuing to work on that. I think they'll come back with with with more at our next meeting and we'll see if that continues to make sense for the city or maybe we want to change course a little bit on that um there were some other great updates with regard to keeping um uh health care costs uh in in check But the big thing I wanted to address was the MUSC Cigna contract dispute. As I've seen in the past, most of these things get worked out. Hopefully this one will as well. But obviously actively monitoring that to make sure that our employees continue to have access to one of the major health providers in our area.

Next up, we have, I'm sorry, apologies, Councilman Schilling.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to reiterate what Stephen said. I mean, we're very fortunate to have some of the best doctors Um, with all of our hospitals, but certainly we have a lot of employees that are, um, using MUSC and it would be a shame for them to have to not, or not have access to that because they can't afford it because they've come out of, out of network. So any influence we have that we can use with both Cigna and MUSC, I'm sure would be certainly appreciated by all of our, all of our staff, but specifically those that see MUSC doctors or have procedures done at MUSC.

Yeah, I can, I, I have met with Dr. Cole on this, um, expressed the, the, uh, concern. We're not the only people that have reached out to him. Um, this unfortunately is, uh, between those two we've expressed, um, you know, just how critical this is to 2000 city employees, not to mention the community writ large. Uh, they are working, uh, aggressively on it. They have, um, uh, a different side of the story from what what we've seen from Cigna some of you all have gotten some of that information um but I'm optimistic that they can work this out uh we unfortunately do not have as much leverage with Cigna but uh we we've let them know that it's very important that they get this worked out as well um now moving on to committee uh Councilman McBride for committee on rec

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just covered two items last month. Uh, the city's citywide recreation programming, uh, for summer 2026 in this Yarborough, uh, gave a comprehensive overview of that. And then we talked about, uh, trash overflow, uh, issues in the Johns Island city park. And, um, there was a little bit discussion that that could be because in part because of the baseball season was in session that CCSD uses. a quick update baseball season is over and there's still an issue up there um so just still looking for for a solution on that uh the constituent that is keeping me informed is saying that it's probably at the soccer field uh every sunday there's a lot of soccer you know freestyle tournaments being played there so it's overflowing the bins so just still looking for a solution on that one that's all i have okay moving on to community development uh councilman appell

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Committee on Community Development met back on May 14th. We only had one item on our agenda. It was approval of several HUD-related grants. It was approved unanimously, and it's already been pushed through Ways and Means at our last city council meeting. We're going to have a much more detailed community development report coming up. We've got quite an agenda for next week. But yeah, that'll do it for now. Thanks, everybody.

Okay. Committee on Special Facilities. Brady?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. We received updates on various of the special facilities for the city discussion regarding the powder magazine, which I'm sure some folks have seen in the paper as well. Important that we get to preserve that historical site for the city. uh allow for uh its restoration which will be great and then we received uh an Angel Oak update which is near and dear to Councilmember McBride's heart um about uh the partnership with Lowcountry Land Trust and um the preservation of that site as well as the um more expansive Park site so uh lots of good things coming here at the city which was really exciting to hear about

Absolutely. And a great target for potential greenbelt funds should the half-cent sales tax pass. I just wanted to throw that out there for Angel Oak. Okay, now we are on to committee reports. We're going to start with public safety. Mr. Chairman, Sheely, if you would.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The public safety committee met May 19th. We had a meeting. approval for a law enforcement assistance support agreement with lexington county sheriff's office and we had our as you have already seen through our ways and means committee on may 26 we had a resolution adopted in the city of charleston emergency operations plan and letter of promulgation we also met on june 19th and we had an approval of the law enforcement assistance and support agreement with the city of myrtle beach and the we had a after the fact approval to submit an application for a grant for $23,191 that will fund an all-terrain vehicle for the mounted patrol team. So that ends my report.

So can I get a motion on items L1 and L2?

Second.

Motion made. Probably second. Any further discussion on these items? not all those in favor 75 by saying aye aye opposed eyes have it now on to uh committee on public works chairman waring thank you mr mayor uh committee on public works and utilities met on may 21st all actual items passed unanimously and i moved the adoption of that report We have motion made, probably seconded, for items related to the May 21st meeting. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed, ayes have it. Mr. Chairman, talk about the 15th meeting.

Mr. Mayor, we met on yesterday. You've been getting a pound of flesh out of us. Similar items all passed after thorough discussion and deliberation, passed unanimously. And I move the adoption of the report.

Second. Motion made. Property seconded to approve all items on the June 15th meeting of Public Works. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those ayes have it. Moving right along. We are on traffic and transportation and Chairman Seeking's absence. I'd like to call on Vice Chair Brady.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm pinch hitting for Chairman Seekings, who was unfortunately not able to be here tonight. We had a request for approval of an MOU with SCDOT for our participation in the Carbon Reduction Program Signal Systems Improvement Project. Item B was the Sam Rittenberg Boulevard redesign update, which I would encourage. If you want to see those slides, please reach out to Mr. Pullman. Interesting things coming to Sam Rittenberg, including a road diet on the portion that runs from Savannah Highway to Ashley River Road. It's actually... With three lanes in each direction, it's actually underutilized in terms of the volume. And so we'll be able to do some pedestrian and bike improvements there as well as some streetscape improvements. So I highly encourage folks to reach out and get that. Also near and dear to Council Member Bridesheart, the request for approval for an MOU from Maybank Highway at Southwick Drive. um traffic signal which would help realign that intersection as part of a development that's going in there uh which is desperately needed in that part of john's island if you've ever tried to navigate that intersection where the roads are not aligned um and then finally uh We had a discussion and consideration of the decal rate for new franchise agreements related to pedicabs, which I know that Councilmember Gregg and myself have been involved in for quite some time. And the committee voted to extend the pedicab franchise agreement for the current 30 general decals. 10 decals for each franchise operator for one additional five-year item or five-year term at $65,884.63 for 10 decals with one five-year renewal at $75,767.33 for an additional 10 decals. So that concludes my report and I would move for its adoption.

Motion made. Property second. Any further discussion on any of these items? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

i opposed uh i just have it mr mayor i have to ask you indulgence to go back there was oversight on the uh june 15th uh public works meeting it was a deferral on uh st john's woods parkway uh for additional information so right i need to amend that uh everything did not pass unanimously we did have one deferral do we need to amend that vote

It's noted in the record that it was deferred.

It's a very unique. It was a good presentation by a member of the HOA for St. John Woods. He did a great job. Hats off to the treasurer. Okay. We're now on to Ways and Means. Would like to call on Chairman Gregg for his report.

Move for approval.

Motion made. Properties. never gets old uh all those in favor uh if there's no further discussion all those in favor signify by saying aye aye those ayes have it that includes the first readings includes first reading um okay we now have four bills up for second reading um move to take one through four together for approval Motion made to take one through four for approval, although if there's any further discussion on any of these four items, if not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Ayes have it.

I move their third reading and ratification, items one through four.

Motion made, property second for third reading. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Ayes have it. Now we are on two bills up for first reading. We have two bills up for first reading. Staff is requesting a deferral on item N1 to the Community Development Committee. Is that correct, Ms. Copeland?

Yes, sir.

I'll hand it over to you.

On N1? or were you up here i mean any any further questions or comments related to with within one just want to let you know we're seeking a referral so we can take it through community development we had a discussion with councilman poke and he would prefer that we take it through committee before bringing it to you so we're good with that uh since it's not noted on the agenda as being previously deferred i would move to defer item one second the motion made probably seconded to defer item one

Any further discussion on that topic? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Ayes, then have it. So we have N2, which is an item related to restrictive covenants on a property off of Sam Rittenberg. I'd like to call on Councilman Tinkler.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And if you indulge me, obviously I've not discussed this matter with most of y'all. It's obviously a matter that y'all have heard from some of my constituents on your desk or two letters from a couple of my constituents who are stating their opposition for this change, which to give you a little bit of history about it, This is a property on Sam Rittenberg that, if y'all may remember, this is where the Boy Scouts Council headquarters was until about 10 years when it was purchased by Tumbleson Photography and operated as a photography studio until a couple years ago when it had been listed for quite some time. Yeah, well... The operator, there was a lease that was entered several months ago with a wedding venue operation, which Pretty soon after the signs went up, I started receiving some concerns about what was going to be at that site. So that backs up to a neighborhood. In full disclosure, it's my neighborhood. And it's a... If you're familiar with Sam Ranberg right there, it's right next to the Scottish Rite Center. There are a number of parcels that are zoned in a particular way where you don't have intense uses. this was zoned, if you go and look at the city's GIS, it was zoned limited business. And that was the understanding of staff, that was the understanding of me. And when there were concerns that were expressed about this operation, we looked at it, ultimately found that it was within the proper uses of the limited business zoning classification. Well, about a month ago, it was revealed that there was actually a restrictive covenant that's on this property that limits the uses to administrative office and uses relating to Boy Scouts, which there was a retail operation over there, offices and some training and whatnot. The bottom line is that a wedding event space cannot operate at that that property as the restrictive covenants are currently written. The operator over the last half year, eight months or so, has been in there getting permits. The city has issued a number of permits, interior permits, to do a lot of upfitting in that property to get it ready for a wedding event space. Of course, now it's dawned on us that that can't happen. So they have presented. Well, when I when this when this was discovered, I reached out to the operator who sat down with the residents who were most impacted by this. We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago and he offered a number of concessions. I know they were basically. they were memorialized in that amendment that was circulated yesterday. Obviously this is moving very quickly and it's taken me some time personally to do a fact finding, to figure out what is the best thing to do for that piece of property, given the fact that it is a large space it is um it's in a what a future land land use for the city has identified as a low impact conserve area so there's not a lot that can happen there but we have this this large 40-year-old building that um that otherwise would sit vacant uh i i you know i've consulted with a number of brokers real estate brokers i think the the market over in west ashley is um is not ideal right now for that class of office space, especially when you have an open layout, which is what that building is for the most part. So there, as you can see from the letters, the the residents that back up this property are very concerned about uh the noise that this this site would would create they're concerned about privacy issues it sits on a beautiful piece of land that overlooks the marsh and you can see the backs of homes a couple of homes from where where the wedding ceremony is intended to take place so This is not a good situation, certainly, for everybody involved. And I've certainly tried to bend over backwards to figure out if there is a way to address this issue from a uh from a addressing noise restrictions address trying to uh look at ways for the property owner to put in uh privacy buffers fencing and whatnot to try to mitigate as much as possible the collateral uh effects of of a wedding event space Um, so that's, that's why I indicated when I, when I received the proposal from the operator that I do not support what their proposal was. There were concessions that were made, of course, that, uh, they, they, James Heiting. Before you is a is a draft. There there are concessions that were made to to shut down. Amplify music at nine to shut down the event space at ten thirty to to provide concessions to to the the residents for um for privacy i i just did not think they went far enough honestly um so what what i have done uh is is try try my best to draft and and come up with with with ideas that i think would would address a lot of these and um you know i i've you know there were concerns about um i've talked to other wedding event uh space operators who have talked about the base how base travels uh yeah i've looked at the county uh councilman appell has has has indicated that the county has very uh restrictive uh rules relating to noise which i which i have looked at and they are very restrictive uh to the extent where it is it is noise violation if you can hear amplified music within within another person's dwelling so um Other other things relating to decibel levels. Obviously, the city's noise ordinance does not address decibel levels. It really just says no amplified music after 11 o'clock, which obviously was not going to work for this site. So I The bottom line, and I have presented to y'all on your desk kind of where my thinking is on this, and at the end of the day, unless these terms are are are addressed i certainly it certainly does have my support so to the extent um i'm happy to answer any questions but uh the bottom line is you know i i'm addressing no i've asked to address no continuous or repetitive sounds including low frequency sounds to address vibrations of homes uh no amplified sound uh plainly audible within a dwelling of another to keep shut down music at 10 p.m. to shut down outdoor operations at at 9 p.m. So at the end of the day, I think this is I'm not aware of the property owner has has looked at these and addressed these and consented to these. But certainly it's where my my thinking is on this with dense vegetation along the property line to address the privacy issues of the homes that back up to this site as well as privacy fencing uh and so but but critically and i think um what has sort of satisfied me on on this is that is the way that the city has has it has the ability to enforce this and that is um rather than normally restrictive covenants are uh are enforced through the court of common pleas through an injunctive relief uh which is which is not the most effective way to enforce a restrictive covenant here um the the enforcement mechanism would be through the city's municipal court so it would we would be addressing this as if this is a zoning rule that is enforceable within the city's municipal court, within the city's framework, as well as provisions that if this does create an issue over the next nine months to a year, the city can come back and cut all outdoor amplified music on that site. So, I mean, the bottom line is whether the property owner is gonna be okay with this or not, I don't know, but I think this creates restrictions that are more restrictive than the the residential properties that are next to it.

And so I just want to make I want to make sure i'm clear, and maybe other Council members have the same question is what you presented. John Potter, On our desks that would be a proposed amendment that what was circulated yesterday, and if that is adopted as amended, you would be in support of.

that that's that's correct if certainly if this is um again happy to answer any questions if this is something that y'all are um satisfied with um it certainly would have to be consented to by the property owner at the end of the day but you know this this is not you know this is a very unique situation to basically look at zoning from a restrictive covenant um obviously that they were they were trying to find a very specific use uh to get a boy scout operation there um but not allow a gas station say which is what you can do in a limited business zone uh maybe you know maybe not that close to marsh but there are more intense uses in limited business certainly than um that the neighborhood was willing to accept at that that point in time and the restrictive covenants um they they ultimately i mean they could terminate if we rezone the property anyway. So, I mean, it is, you know, it is, it's sort of, it really comes down to city's zoning authority here and whether.

But for point of order, if it's amended and it's contingent upon the consent. Can I just chime in here too? Yes, please, legal.

HAB-Juliette Boone, So the landowner the tenant and the landowner reviewed the proposed revisions you've made they've consented to it, they have to. HAB-Juliette Boone, asks in this, which I believe are in the draft that you, you are all looking at right now, one of them is in section six. On page 3, it asks that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of a microphone by an officiant during an actual ceremony. So the pastor, preacher, rabbi can use a microphone to actually marry the couple. that's the first ask and then the second one is on the um the last section or page four uh number two the city shall have the right within one year of ratification um to reopen this and revisit it should we have any problems but they've asked for no sooner than nine months so they just need some lead time because they're booking events at the space so they need some lead time that we're going to reopen it to talk about further restrictions um prior to us actually implementing the plan. So those are the only two changes they've made. Everything else that you proposed, they've accepted.

Well, I think, like I said, this is this was a restrictive covenant that was entered into 46 years ago. And it's obviously the Boy Scouts moved on, the photography studios moved on. And honestly, I think trying to find you know, the most restrictive use of that property that gets actual use of that property is something that I am supportive of. So I guess with that, I just I'll move to amend the the proposed from the proposal from the I guess the landowner

with these terms which are in front of you on your desk the draft that you have includes the two provisions from the landowner so if you move to approve as amended uh as reflected with the draft you're looking at then it would cover all of it so can i entertain a motion on that front oh that yeah that was my motion if there's a second

We have a motion made, property seconded. This is a unique property. I applaud you, Councilman Tinkler, for taking the time to really dig into this. You hate to see a fallow property. That can lead to a lot of bad things. And so figuring out a restrictive use that is reasonable, and these seem pretty restrictive in terms of amplified use noise and and and the like so compliments to you for the work on this uh if there's no further discussion on this all those in favor of this as amended please signify by saying aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye Where else are we? That's it. Wow. Okay. Our next meeting will be on July 14th, Bastille Day. It will be a double meeting as today was. So prepare for a little bit longer session, but appreciate everybody's patience. And with that, I call this meeting.