Town Council - Special Meeting

be a sport. [laughter] Oh man, I miss the old days. Let me call to order the Mount [snorts] Pleasant Town Council special council meeting for this Tuesday, December 9th. Thank y'all all for being here. Um item number two on our agenda is public comment. If you were here for public comment, please come forward, give name and address, and two and a half minutes is your speaking time. Anyone for public comment? No one. [laughter]

Now it doesn't matter. Now you have to come make a public comment. All right. Item three, executive session um for legal and contractual and for personnel. Um discussion of possible economic uh I'm sorry, possible action regarding an economic development incentive package. Legal advice pertaining to Shim Creek Development versus Town of Mount Pleasant. Legal advice pertaining to Darine at all versus town of Mount Pleasant and personnel. consideration of applications to serve on the planning commission. There's one vacancy and two is consideration of applications to serve on the culture, arts, and pride committee. Also, one vacancy. Do we have a motion?

Mr. Mayor, I have a I have a just one comment. As I have and continue to do, I'll be recusing myself from 3A2. 32. Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. and make sure the the record shows Mr. Iano is recusing. Did somebody session? Yes, Mr. Rambo. I made the motion. Do you second? All right. Um before we vote, council may take action on any item including any subsection of any section listed on an executive session agenda or discussed in executive session during a properly noticed meeting. All in favor of going into executive session for the reasons stated, please say I.

I. All right, motion carries. We're in executive session upstairs. Continuous is not continuous is

We got everybody. It is cold. There's Mike. There we go. All right. We have reconvened from executive session. No votes were cast. No action was taken. Uh we will entertain motions resulting from the information received.

Um as item A1, I'd like to make a motion to negotiate terms as presented in executive session. Second. All right. The motion is to negotiate terms. Correct. Correct. Yes, sir. All right. We have a motion and a second. We're in discussion, Mr. Rambo.

Okay. Um on the advice of council, I'm very clear on since this was executive session what I could and could not say. Um but essentially, this is to uh give tax money tax incentives to develop an undeveloped property off of Wingo Way. um that is currently a nice natural property, not a redevelopment. Um and I am against that for a number of reasons. One is that the core function of our government of our city government is public safety, public recreation. It's not to line the pockets of wealthy developers. Um, number two, this is really, in my opinion, against what I was elected to do, what I ever ran against, is not only will this knock down trees uh, and and clear a property uh, that is in a nice natural state, but we're going to give them tax money, tax incentives to do it. It's like a double whammy, and it's not right. And I'll probably lose this photo. That's okay. I'm a no.

All right. Any other comments? All right. Uh, all in favor of the motion to negotiate, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? No. All right. Motion carries. Any other motions, please? Yes, ma'am. Mayor, I'd like to move that we appoint Ashley Richardson to the Culture, Arts, and Pride Committee. Second. All right, we have a motion. We have a second. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I.

All right, motion carries. Congratulations. And um do we have a um do we have a motion on the planning commission? We do not. No, sir. Yes, sir. There is no motion.

Okay. All right. Thank you very much. All right. So, um if there were no other motions, uh as a result of executive session, then uh we let's see, make sure flip the page. Yep. Item number five is to adjourn the special town council meeting. We'll need a couple of minutes for the clerk to flip over uh some of the software and then we will convene the 6 pm regular council meeting. We stand a journ. You ready? Council members, staff ready. All right. Good evening. Let me call to order the regular town council meeting [clears throat] for Mount Pleasant Town Council for this Tuesday, December 9th. It's good to see everybody here. And uh if we don't see you again before the holidays, we want to wish everybody a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and a happy new year. And um hope you all know the Christmas parade is coming up on Sunday. The holiday market is Saturday. Um the Bengal Bistro is tomorrow, I believe,

right? Tomorrow morning in the lobby. Um which is pretty awesome. So, um, our first item will be the prayer led by Chaplain Lewis Lee and then the pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tim Howard Chapman. Would you please stand? Everybody bow their heads, please. Heavenly Father, thank you for another day in your wonderful world. As we wrap up another year, guide us in 2026 that we may be inspired to pursue even more diligently the dream of United Town of Mount Pleasant and our actions and deeds. Help us to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. As we go through our struggles in life, help us to find a way to struggle well. May we see that we do make that everyone makes a difference because we do. Please give us the dignity, wisdom, compassion, and moral compass to always do what is right. Help us to realize that life begins at the end of our comfort zone. Help us to see if we want to lift ourselves up, lift up someone else. Protect our military as they protect us, keep us safe, but above all, keep us faithful. In your name we pray. Amen.

Please face flag. I pledge algiance 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 all.

Let me also thank the clerk of council and whoever whatever else helped you for the lovely Christmas decorations tonight. It was really nice. Item three, approval of the agenda. Do we have a motion, please? All right, we have a motion, second. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. All right, it the motion is approved. [snorts] Item four is public hearings, awards, and presentations. Um, Mr. Pagglerini, do you want me to take to introduce this first or would you like to set it up? I'm happy to if that would be great. Thank you,

Mayor. Um, thank you, mayor, councel. This is a public hearing requested by a uh private entity, private school, nonprofit school located in the town of Mount Pleasant called Crown Academy uh Crown Leadership Academy, Inc. They have requested a public hearing in accordance with federal law 26 USCA section 147F. Um this is and they are applying and requesting a bond which is a public um a private activity bond and is used for capital expenditures for their school building not operations. The question uh many have is why is this on the town agenda? This is not a townissued bond. the town uh is not liable for any bond, is not the issuer, is not a beneficiary, and it does not constitute a debt of the town. The requirement u for Crown Leadership Academy is that they have local approval. The school is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. I presume the our federal government has decided that it is up to the local entity to determine whether such a uh whether such an operation in this case a school um is a benefit to the town of Mount Pleasant. U if the council approves this again it there is no participation on the town's part. It is simply a federal law requirement authorizing this bond to move forward. And I'm happy to answer any other questions. Yes, sir.

Um, I'll make a motion that we approve uh the bond as stated. Second. All right. We [snorts] have a motion in a second. And sir, you have to call the public hearing first. Yes. Make sure there's I was going to say public hearing, right? No, my bad. Withdrawn. Okay. Thank you. Because what I was going to do is have the public hearing between the motion and the vote, but we'll just do the public hearing. All right. So would those who are here to speak on behalf of that come forward and uh do the public hearing aspect of this place.

Good evening everyone. I'm Lean Kerry. I'm the head of school at Crown Leadership Academy. I live here in Mount Pleasant, 1537 Glenn Aaron Drive, right off of Whipple Road. Uh my wife over there is Sarah and we have our director of finance and development, Aaron Overfield. Sarah and I moved to Mount Pleasant in 2001. We planted a church on Six Mile Road. We ministered at that point to the trailer park communities that were there. The Lord started us, we started a preschool out of that little church building and the Lord moved us into education. In 2010, we started uh Crown Leadership Academy, Little Space off of Coleman Boulevard. We moved to Sullivan's Island. And then for the last 10 years, we've leased space from Trident Academy right there on Whipple Road. Um, we've constantly been searching. As you all know, land is of a premium value in Mount Pleasant. Uh, we were approached by an agent a year and a half ago. The school has continued to grow in that time, and he knew we were looking. 546 Longpoint was a husk of a building that, uh, before CO had 300 employees in it. Afterwards, they just had five because they could do remote learning. They thought it would be perfect for a school location. We've uh got a PSA purchase and sale agreement with them. We're currently leasing with an option to purchase by January 15th. We are financing this through taxexempt private bonds and we have an investor ready as um uh the uh Mr. Pegleary said this is a national public finance authority. We're following the federal guidelines of transparency on that and so we're submitting this uh that the town would recognize this for us.

All right. If you'll answer any questions that people have. Any questions? Yes. Yes. Mr. Leam. Um how much uh is the bond um financing? The maximum amount is 20 million. We are currently uh going for about 9.8 eight. In future years, we're going to add a gym which will increase that and then there's wiggle room to play in case of inflation and spending prices and increases, but um that doesn't mean the bond will be that 20 million. They just put a maximum amount on it. And this would be to upfit the uh the building at 546 Long Point, right? Yes. And improve the property. Correct.

I will vouch for sure the fact um I went to the uh grand opening the ribbon cutting. Um, the property is beautiful. Um, not to have uh not not to elbow y'all out, but uh I wish the town could buy that property. I mean, it it is that it is the the location is that great. Um, and I saw what you were doing there, and I know many of the families at the school, and I and I shared this with our attorney yesterday. I was doing some studying on my own to see why we would do this or why we need to vote on anything. And I believe this goes back to TERA Act, which is about 40 years old, I'm thinking. in the Reagan administration. That is correct, sir.

And um and the only thing that that I could see, and this is not legal advice, this is just the opinion of somebody sitting up here having to make a decision, is that they want the federal government wanted the local communities to vouch for the fact that this is not some fly by night, some sham operation that's going to, you know, take off with funds intended to do something good in the community. And um I think we have council members who have been associated with the school in the past. Um one of my pastors is associated with the school. Um so that's all we're voting on. Um you know that that's very evident and apparent to me. Yes. Okay. Anyone else?

Mr. Tinky. No, I I agree and Mr. Rambo except this with of

Would you give us what those about uh any liability or participation on the part of the town? Yes, sir. This is not a town you should bond the town the town shall not administrate nor have any administrative authority over execution or expenditures and in no such event shall the town of Mount Pleasant be liable for such bond nor shall the bond constitute a debt of the town. Is everyone clear on that? And that's in the record. So if anybody comes back in a few years and says, "Hey." All right. Um now, do we Is there any other question? Motion unless there's any other speakers. We have a motion in a second.

And you didn't have any other to speak for for y'all. Okay. So now we could entertain a motion from council. Motion to accept outlined by Mr. Second. Okay. Motion a second. Any other comments? All in favor, please signify by saying I. Any oppose? All right. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you for coming and thank you for what you do for our young people.

Thank you all very much. So that was item A and B. Item C, presentation of the Kevin Williamson Awards. Thank you, mayor, members of council. Uh, tonight we are going to take a few minutes to recognize two young athletes uh for a very special award in our youth football program, the Kevin Williamson award. And I'd like to ask Mr. Johnny Dods and Mr. Gary Santos to come forward to do those presentations for us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. It's an appreciate the opportunity to be here, especially with my lifelong land uh friend of 62 years. met each other in kindergarten and been friends ever since. One of the things that bonded us was football, which brings us to the our present uh mission this afternoon. Uh the Kevin Williamson sportsman of the year award. Uh Kevin was a neighbor, a friend, uh and he thrived in team sports throughout his life here in Mount Pleasant. He played multiple sports by forging meaningful, encouraging friendships with teammates and coaches alike. He was a lifelong participant in several of Mount Pleasant recreation department's athletic programs. During his year at Wando High School, he played offensive line on the football team, a sport that always had his heart. He received his varsity letter in the 10th grade and continued to compete during his college career. After college graduation, Kevin returned to the Charleston area. Unfortunately, in September of 2016, God, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Despite the prognosis, he continued to persevere, maintain a positive attitude, and live a full life. He married the love of his life, Lauren, in June of 2017. Amid the fiercest battle of his life, go just 22 months after his diagnosis, Kevin passed away at the age of 28 years. Kevin was humble, kind, courteous, and courageous. Looking at his life, his love of sports is weaved throughout his story. He was the embodiment of teamwork, determination, hard work, and sportsmanship. In acknowledgement of these attributes,

the Kevin Williamson Sportsman of the Year Award recognizes one of Mount Pleasant Recreation Department's flag and one tackled football player annually. This award is not necessarily meant for the most skilled player. Rather, it is to honor those displaying sportsmanship, teamwork, love of sport, and competition. Coaches provided nom nominations to Mount Pleasant Recreation Department staff. These were reduced to three finalists from each group and presented to the Williamson family to to determine the award winners. We are joined tonight by Kevin's parents, Mary Louise and Kevin, who had asked that they be stand and recognized. [applause] And we're we're happy to present a check to the town, Mr. Mayor, for $500 in in support of this uh program. Thank you very much.

Good. Good afternoon, council.

Uh, William Brooks Johnson is our recipient in the flag division. Coach William Cruz describes Brooks as a leader and the type of player he is proud to coach. Willing to play any position, Brooks is enthusiastic and supportive of teammates by offering encouragement and a helping hand or a high five. Coach Cruz states, "Brooks was an absolute joy to coach and worked hard for the good of the team." Thank you very much. Wow,

that's amazing. Congratulations. [applause]

Mark McCrady is this year's winner of uh in the tackle division. According to coach Jeff Allebertie, Mark brought a positive attitude to every practice and was one of the most coachable players on his team. Mark never hesitated to offer a hand and to uh to an opposing player after tackling or help the teammate off the turf after being knocked down. To quote coach Alabberty, Mark has a giant smile that keeps everyone positive regardless of what's happening on the field. [applause] Awesome, man.

Thank you all. John, Gary, thank y'all and and to the Williamson family. We look forward to this every year. It's one of the most meaningful things um that we do. And that moves us to item D. Let's do something meaningful now, Mr. Rambo.

Um, so I want to take a moment uh to talk about um my friend and my former coach, Gary Santos. Um Gary, I consider Gary Santos, sorry, I consider Gary Santos to be the godfather of recreation in the town of Mount Pleasant. As a council member for nearly 30 years, he championed recreation in this town. He fought tooth and nail for the construction of most of the town recreation facilities that serve the children in this community every day. Um, not only did he advocate for recreation, he coached numerous teams and countless kids in this community, including one particularly hard-headed one, just me. [laughter] Um um so um it is fitting uh that we do something uh very special uh to honor your legacy and implant your legacy in this community. Um and so with that, I would like to make a motion to name the upcoming new uh Rifle Range Road Park facility Gary Santos Park.

Second. Third. [applause] [applause]

Sorry we couldn't give any advanced notice of that, but we didn't want to spoil the surprise. However, one technicality, we do need to vote. [laughter] That's okay. That's all right. All in favor of the motion to name the Rifle Range Road Park facility the Gary Santos, however we put it, sports complex. Uh, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Gary, congratulations. [applause] Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And yes,

we will have more. There should be a groundbreaking hopefully coming up soon in late January, maybe February. Um, and we will have more speeches and family and all of that then as well. So, thank you. We didn't want to spoil the surprise. Sorry, we didn't let that out. Okay. U, if you'll turn the page, we're at item number five, approval of the minutes from the November 7th meeting council meeting, November 12th regular town council meeting, and the October 2025 financial statement. Motion. Move for approval. Mr. Chairman, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Any discussion?

Um, yes. I wasn't at the November 7th um special town council meeting, so I'm going to abstain from that portion of the vote. What is this? All right. Any other? All in favor of the motion to approve those minutes, please say I. I. Any oppose? All right. Motion carries. Item six is public comment. Um, all those who signed up for a public comment, please come forward when the uh, administrator calls your name and uh, give name and address. Two and a half minutes, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First speaker, Wendy Lockhart.

I can't see. I'm here

and I'm behind that, but it's okay. I promise I'm here. Good evening. My name is Wendy Lockhart. I live on Chandler Road in the 10M Historic District. I'm here to speak about the zoning designation for the properties in the 10mi community that have been recently annexed to the town of Mount Pleasant. I spoke at the December 1st planning committee meeting to request that the zoning of annex properties within the 10mi community align to the 10mi overlay district is currently being finalized at Charleston County Council tonight. I want to highlight that the planning committee reviewed this matter and recommends that the town council um align with the 10mi overlay. Charleston County Council is holding its third and final reading tonight to approve the overlay which will maintain a density of one dwelling per three acres for properties zoned RR within the 10mi historic district. That's not the whole district, it's just the zones. If the town of Mount Pleasant grants highdensity zoning for any annex land in the 10mi community, it basically would create a way to circumvent the existing density requirements and ignores the planning committee's recommendation. Um, it establishes a dangerous precedent. So, consider this scale. There are currently 19 acres for sale on Jandler Road, mile and a half road. 19 acres. Another five and a half are going to be listed shortly. That does not include the six and a half that's on tonight's agenda for annexation. That totals 31 acres of available property for development on Chandler Road alone. Right. If those 31 acres are allowed to annex and bypass the current density of one home per three acres for a higher density of three homes per one acre,

that's potentially 93 new homes on Chandler Road. This increase would fundamentally change the historic and rural character of our community and that we're striving to protect, not to mention the impact on our strained infrastructure. Right. So Charleston County Council again is voting tonight to approve an overlay district that will officially protect the integrity of 10M. We also have the support of the town of Mount Pleasant planning committee. So I respectfully ask that this council align all NX properties within the 10mi community to the density requirements of the 10mi overlay that should be approved tonight.

Thank you for your support. Merry Christmas.

Barbara Smith. Good evening, Barbara Smith, 410 Royal Avenue. First, I want to thank all of you for your service. It really means a great deal to me and to see people who want to be involved. Last night, I was looking at Next Door and I saw there was a final reading for many changes that would happen in the old v old part of Mount Pleasant. I am one who usually keeps up with this type of thing as you probably know and I certainly missed all of this. Next Door said the planning commission had a public hearing in October. So I looked this up and saw number two. It mentioned accessories, structures, and neighborhood preservation overlay. Who would even know that this was old Mount Pleasant? I sure did not. I see what is happening in so many neighborhoods. The Groves, Bayiew, Shimwood, and lots of others. ADUs being built right up to the property lines, right up to the fences of neighbors. I have that same thing beside me. I guess that steps don't count in their setbacks. Next door said that there were 2500 homeowners in Old Mount Pleasant. My question is, how many of these 2500 homeowners were involved in this new ordinance? I was surprised. I was upset when I heard of this as a final reading today. Personally, there has not been enough involvement from this community as far as I can see. I can see this taking property rights from people and property values from existing homeowners, especially those who have lived here for years. When huge changes like this are being considered, the community should be involved. and often and most all the time we are involved. I sincerely ask that you postpone this vote until staff

can give homeowners a better idea of the effect that this will have on us. We need to have several meetings. We need to be more informed prior to such drastic changes happening in our neighborhood. Thank you,

Dave Speden. Dave Steeden, 3429 Tumor Kil Circle. Sorry I missed you all last month. Congratulations to those that were elected and reelected. We look forward to what you do for our our community and hopefully it's a lot of good things. Um, yes, I'm here to talk about Highway 41. I do would like to know if you had any progress with the county because I did. I was able to get a meeting with the project team. Um, I've been sharing a lot of that information with you. Some of the new members may not be aware of that. So, I'll resend a email that I had sent back in October. But one of the key things I was finding is that they're singing from a different sheet of music that I've been looking at, you all have probably been looking at when you look at the project 41 website. So, there's a lot of conflict in the documents they have out there. They don't tell the whole story. I made it very clear to them that they need to come to us and explain from end to end what the project is and give us a detailed update because right now I can point to a document that contradicts almost all the answers they gave me recently and the five key questions I had sent them. Um I feel like I've opened a lifeline with them. If you're not getting the response that you need from Charleston County, if you want me to be more involved, I'd be more than glad to try and broker a presentation or a work session and even facilitate it for you. But I really think that the community needs to see some action on this. You may be doing things behind the scene, but silence is not giving the community a lot of uh confidence and the people that live with the issues on the 41, people trying to get out of Rivertown, etc. It's not getting any better. and we don't think it'll get better for a couple of years. If we continue down this path, I'm afraid it's going to turn to a more latigious situation with community HOAs wanting to try and stop what's going on.

Maybe even a loss of funding. I'm not sure. And the county is putting some urgency with you to put forward priorities for future years. I think we need to address this. It's a priority before we can start talking about what's going to happen in the future. So, please let me know how I can help you, but please try and do something to demonstrate that we've got some dialogue and better understanding about the project. Thank you,

Angela Singleton. Good evening, council members. Angela M. Singleton, 3822 Lane. I'm also on the 10 mile neighborhood association. Um, council members, I want to first of all thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm going to talk on the uh channel road parcel. If the town annexes Chandler Road Parcel, more than six acres through Charleston County still list it as a single 8.1 parcel acre. three additional parcels within the 10mi historic district would immediately become eligible for annexation. Your decision your decision tonight does affect ju does does not just affect one property. It it has a cascaded impact that could undo years of work by the community that have fought and continue to fight simply to exist. An exation affects more than land. It it affects family quality of life, ancestral ties and wildlife wife habitat. It affects the future ones of the few remaining Galigichi communities in this region. If the concern is that developers or property owners could receive public sewer without paying the town impact fees if annexation is denied, there's there's a better solution. work collaboration with the community with Charleston County and Mont Pleasant Waterwork to create a fair fearf free structure for MPW's customer outside town limits. The approach protects the town's interest without dismantling historic communities to forcing people in unincorporated areas to annex against their wishes. 10M is again asking you work with the community not against it. Each parcel and annex

out of the historic dis district district threatens the integrity and the character of the aeroplaceable culture and landscape. As you know the community has requested an overlay district. We have proposed adjustments to dimension standards so that the development aligns with the history and prevailing character of Tim. Tonight you will hear the third reading on zoning and an important part of the overall equation. The town's zoning ref and settlement community, but zoning directly impacts these historic areas must be shaped with the community themselves. In 10 mm, for example, we've already have multiple zoning categories. Charleston County S3, three dwelling per acre inside and the urban growth boundary and Charleston County RR one dwelling per three acres outside. The pattern reflect the lies. We ask you to respect, protect, and support the 10mi community and all that's remaining. each communities. Thank you.

George Freeman.

Good evening. George Freeman, 2347, Highway 17 North. I'm here to speak as the president of Cage Organization tonight. When it comes to Highway 41, we're very concerned about that. And I'm here tonight to be in agreement when it comes to the current road that goes through Law Hill. We feel that that does not do anything to solve problems. We need to start looking at the town of M Pleasant differently. Right now, we're looking at trying to make town of M Pleasant a thorough affair. We should be looking at the town of M Pleasant as a destination. And if we're going to talk about destination, we shouldn't be talking about widening roads. We should be talking about building connecting roads. I you should have gotten a plan map that I handed out tonight. In our plan, we call for a road through Law Hill, but not the one that the county is currently building. We call for a road to build that goes from Park West to Highway 17 and to prevent the block the access from Billy I mean Bessemer to Highway 41 and build a connecting road to from Bessemer to this new road for those citizens to be able to get from Bessemer to Highway 17. Also, this road also does a number of other things. Right now, where you have a lot of traffic coming down Dunes West Boulevard going through Park West to get to the school in the morning time. A road going to Highway 17 would provide another alternative where they could go down this road, get to 17 and get to Wando instead of going through Park West. In this plan, there's also a call for a realignment of 41 with Porsche Bluff, making that the main intersection for lap turns on to 41. moving this making this the main intersection will move a lot of that traffic away from the entrance to Brickyard subdivision preventing a lot of the accidents that occur in that area. We feel that this is a better way to solve the problem in this area because we're building connecting areas and a lot of that

traffic that goes to Park West and DS West will not be on Highway 41 at all. With the current plan, all you're doing is just accelerating the traffic on 41. you're not doing anything to improve the situation on 41. We feel that this is a much better plan and hope that you take and give it a serious look. Thank you. That's all I have signed up. Mr. Mayor, anyone to speak who did not get to sign it. All right, seeing none, we will close public comment. Thank you all very much. Item number seven is consent agenda items. There are none for this month. Item eight is planning new business. Miss Reed.

Yes, sir. Thank you, mayor, members of council. Um, this first item before you is a text amendment to our zoning code. Um, this is really kind of a fix. Um, and it it closes a gap that we've had since we adopted our new comprehensive plan future land use map. Um what it does is specify that if you are outside of the urban growth boundary and you are either um not requesting a specific zoning with your annexation or the zoning you have requested is denied, your default zoning is going to be the appropriate rural conservation um which is a density of one unit per three acres outside of the um urban growth boundary. So again, this is just a fix within our um zoning code to match the comp plan. Um and so

move to approve. Yes, sir. All right, we have a motion and a second. Um you have there's another part of this. The it's the next text amendment. They they they're kind of related but not in a way. You mean the next item on the agenda? Yes, sir. Okay. So So the motion is for number one. Yes, sir. Yes. Okay. So um so that would be a density of one unit per three acres that you would come in if you're outside of the urban growth boundary, right? Yes. By a density we already have, which is called rural conservation. Okay.

Um what it does is say if you're outside of the urban growth boundary and the future land use map right here, all this turquoise recommends you for rural neighborhoods, you're going to automatically be zoned rural conservation. And that is one unit per three acres. How much? Yep. And then Mr. Go ahead, Mr. How much of that is in uh the settlement committee?

Um so the when the future land use map was adopted with the comp plan update. Um Mr. Rambo in fact made an amendment to make sure that outside of this green urban growth boundary. All of our settlement community land is not is not recommended for the the typical community conservation. So inside the urban growth boundary you have all this orange which is settlement community. Well, you have settlement community outside of it but it's going to be at a lower density. So it um so it is comparable to what the county currently has in place. And this was the uh number one and number two under a are um th this is simply an amendment to the zoning. It's not on particular property. Correct.

That's correct. That's correct. And the the last would be on this some of those will have been annexed into the town. Is that correct? Um I'm I'm sorry. Some of the this would cover some areas in the future that might be annexed into the town.

That's correct. And so the only caveat I have on that is we've been talking for years about our historic overlay and how we would manage that with the county and how we'll mirror that. I think it's important that we put into action that. So um with permission I'd like to add that we u we challenge uh staff to work together with the county to come up with alternatives for the historic overlay. don't know what they look like today because it's a little difficult but to come up with options so that because it's here it's with us and we don't have any wiggle room in between us and the county.

Right. No, that's a great point and as one of the speakers said we've been following and working with the county. It's been a three-year process for the 10 mile community. They are having third and final reading tonight. We are following that process and then once they adopt their zoning overlay then we're going to really start to figure out what does this look like for the town and for the properties that are within that geographic boundary that may come into the town. So that's something that we're since this is first reading. If if there is some um quirk or something tonight in their third reading, we still have funding.

We still have plenty of time. We can delay it. You know, we can make changes next time, but this is first reading and and it's certainly moving in the right direction with one unit per three acres. I think consistent with what we've heard. Yeah, Miss Chapman. Um in the use of this updated zoning, which we're just giving first reading to tonight.

Does this give us the availability? And I guess I need to ask our attorney to declare the issue of fact that we've given it first reading. If we happen to have an item on the agenda tonight, I'm not we do but if we do will it then fall within this since we are giving it first reading. So it's the it's the doctrine that uh

pending doctrine [clears throat] that allows us make sure that those properties if we do something with tonight would fall under this. Yes sir. For clarification, you're asking about attaching a pending ordinance, right,

element to this, which any I if council were to do so, and you can. Any submitts submitts um from this point on would be subject potentially to the new ordinance. You mentioned, sir, about on the agenda, those would not simply because they've already been submitted, but a pending ordinance um uh writer to this would be appropriate. That can be done by amendment. and it would uh require any future applicants applications received be subject to the new ordinance. Thank you. [clears throat] Yes. I'll make an amendment to attach the pending ordinance doctrine. Did I say that correctly?

Yes, sir. Second. All right. So, just parliamentarily speaking. So this is first reading of of that. It was to approve, but we can add the pending ordinance. Well, yeah. Yes, sir. I think it is not an amendment to the actual ordinance itself. It's an attachment of the pending ordinance, so that would be appropriate. Okay. I'll reword that as not an amendment, but as a restating of my motion. Either way is fine, sir. You've done it correctly. Not a problem. Thank you. [laughter] Tell them that. Are you saying do we need to vote on adding the pending ordinance separately?

Let's do this. Um, if you'd withdraw the motion, restate it and then we'll just I withdraw the motion. Who had the second? Okay. All right. Now, new motion. Okay. Uh, I move that we approve item A1 with a pending ordinance doctrine attached. Yes, sir. Second. All right. Any discussion? All right. All in favor of the motion, please say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. First reading, ordinance number 2553. Okay. So that moves us to two. I move to recommend that we approve item 82 with the pending ordinance docu doctrine attached. Do we have a second?

Second. All right. Any discussion? All right, ma'am. Yes, you have the floor. Could you explain how many units per acre? Of course. Yeah.

So, this text amendment is specific to our rural residential zoning district. It's a district that exists throughout the town. Um, and but it really is specific to those areas outside of the urban growth boundary because that's where most of all of these areas are. Um the the proposal was originally to reduce the density um from three units from to one acre to one one. Um there was as the speaker mentioned earlier the county we were looking to meet in the middle with the county. The county's rural residential is one per three. Ours was three per one. They were looking to amend one one and we originally opposed proposed one to one. When it went to committee, committee said, "Let's make it one to three." It looks like the county is going to maintain their one to three. So, it's comparable to what the county would have and it is a more appropriate zoning for those properties that are already zoned rural residential outside of our urban growth boundary. So,

and again, it's first reading. So, if the county pivots, we we can always adjust. Correct.

Yes, sir. Mr. My concern still is there's wiggle room in between that pending ordinance helps but it doesn't deal with historic overlay because if there's not an historic overlay if I'm correct that gives certain protections on uh whether you when you can subdivide uh how you can um build a house and the massing of the houses the character of the houses etc. that's additional protection for these these areas. How do we ensure that we do that? I know there's been discussions, but in the meantime, time marches on, people bring in applications and they have to be reviewed. And so, how do we uh go about aligning those two?

Um, great question. And I think the first thing that y'all have done that's that is a good step is to uh put the moratorum in place while the county figures it out and adopts what they're going to adopt and then we can start to look at it. So we do have the moratorum against any subdivisions over four lots which is the same that the county has that's in place until July and that could always be extended if it needed to be but um and I do want to reiterate that this area is already a historic overlay. What is being adopted is a zoning overlay. The zoning overlay took three years to create. Um it deals with not only subdivisions, it deals with architecture, deals with lot sizes, development standards. It is a true zoning overlay. So, it's something that we need to make sure the county first has adopted and then we can look at what they adopt. So, I would say that that's after they adopt it tonight, um we're really going to start digging in. That's going to be our our new year 2026 challenge is is moving forward and and trying to hopefully hit a target of um of working within the confines of that moratorum that you all have put in place. Because still, even though it's the moratoriums for four and more, uh if they came in and they were doing a subdivision within um um they would they still under the moratorium of the county and the town still be able to subdivide under four.

Whether they're in the town or the county, anything under four lots and under, they would be able to subdivide. Would they are they subject to an historic overlay as far as the character of the homes and size and massing under the county that they are not with the town if this zoning overlay is adopted then? Yes. Yes, they could do something different or they would do the same. Can you repeat the question? [laughter] I'm sorry. if they if under with the overlay with the overlay uh if you're uh uh bringing um houses on in the county under four

uh and there's an historic overlay in the county uh does that provide today more protection that if you come and annex into the town still have the zoning as far as the density but they have extra protections as far as the architecture or the the um the character of their neighborhood based on the criteria they've set for.

Yeah. So, if let's take two lots, one, one comes into the town, one stays in the county. Uh they're both annex. They're both 2 acres in size. Um the density is going to be the same, uh one unit per three acres, what whatever it may be. But if if the zoning overlay is adopted tonight in the county, there will be more strict um development standards. Um the it permits it it it's more restrictive on the different uses um in the zoning overlay. It uh has some different development standards. It has some different I think some architectural and different facade things. So that zoning overlay if it gets adopted tonight is going to be more restrictive. But what we would have in common at this point would be um the moratorum on subdivisions and the overall density.

So that's that's excellent. So we'd still have to have a discussion of there because there's wiggle room between and one of the concerns we have with the historic settlement communities and the and the work that they've gone through in three years is to not leave space in between where the character could be changed based on the fact that they're have more strict uses than we do. And so, uh, what I hear you saying is we move post to do that, but then practically what would happen if somebody brought an application forward in the meantime to and to annex into the town if

if they had already Yes. Or if they had already annexed into the into the town um, previously in the last three or four months, what would happen uh, in the moratorum? Would they continue to move forward with the the rules and regulations that we have or would we have to um it'll only be for new annexations? Um no any until we have the zoning overlay in place and adopted by town council, the base zoning and our subdivision requirements are what would be what would apply. Okay. Um, I'm not sure that answers.

No, I'm just trying to make sure we align because there's a a move to annex quickly and to get advantages with the town that you wouldn't have with the settlement and we want to try to make sure that we work with historic overlay so it's not a patchwork of of of homes and uh within that area. Yes. All right. That's correct. All right. So, the motion is um to approve with pending ordinance doctrine. We're on item A2. Uh any further discussion? If not, all in favor of the motion to approve, please say I. I. All right, the eyes have it. Motion carries. First reading ordinance number 25504.

Items number three and four are um about the one-year extension of vested rights. And if you have looked forward in the agenda, um you see that later we also have a discussion of of why and how and how to change that. But that has not occurred. So, as for now, um these two have applied and um my understanding is they they are still in conformity. Um they would not be out of conformity and basically um as it was put to me, not by our attorney. Um the state didn't say we have to grant this, but they can sure make us wish we had. I'll move for approval of both of them.

All right. We have a motion to approve items three and four and we have a second. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Old business. Um final reading, an ordinance to provide for annexation of two parcels of land. Miss Reed, if you will. Yeah.

To approve one. Second. And I wanted to clarify something. This is for final reading. Um, the applicant is requesting RC2, which is the appropriate zoning. It's uh the same zoning that they currently have in the county, which is one unit for three acres. Um, and the proposal is actually to um, and I know this was discussed at committee, but there's there's three existing homes right now that are already in the town. Um, the proposal is to add this acreage to this existing home in the back here. Um and so while if you look at the overall density of this would be an additional six plus acres coming into the town and the density is one unit per three acres in order to create buildable lots out of that. Um it would have to go through our planning commission and a subdivision process. So, I did want to clarify that this additional annexation is to add to an existing residential lot where there is already residents annexed into the town.

Got it. So, let's see. We have a motion to approve. I I'll just add I think three of us at the last time have voted against this and and I I really haven't changed. I I I I don't think it's the most evil thing in the world and I certainly don't. um want to shame anybody that votes for it because I I I get it. But I just don't understand people um you know annexing something like this first of all um if they already own it and it's the same density and um even if we say no if it was a matter of getting sewer which I don't know is there sewer service on Chandler Road? I don't think there is but there might um I think it's it's a distance away.

Yeah. Um I I just um like some of the speakers have said, I'm very wary of people right now. We've got the the hate say we got the county right where we want them to be, but they are doing what we would like for them to do right now. And um I just think there ought to not be a lot of annexations into the town right now while the county is trying very hard to get their act together and and make it a more tenable situation for the town. So, I'm still a no on the annexation.

I would I would be a no or a deferral for the same reason. I I own land and um when I see configurations of land like that, it reminds me of a piece of land I just bought an easement to so I could get into my 200 acres. And so, it it's for the you to me it sets up a situation where it can be a subdivision or a lot a lot more division of land at some point in time. So, I'm I think with the town meeting, I mean the county meeting tonight, I don't see the rush. I would rather see us defer quite frankly and see what happens with the county. I'd also like to see what happens with the historic overlay. It's too much of a question out there. We don't have a historic overlay. I'd like to see us actually have one so that when we do these things, they coincide. So, that would be a either a denial or a deferral.

Any other discussion? All right. All in favor of the motion to approve this annexation. We're on item B1. Please say I. I. All oppose. N. No. Okay. 63. Me Tinky and Cross. First reading. Ordinance number 2549. I believe that's final reading. I apologize. Final reading. Ordinance number 254. Thank you. Thank you. Just wanted to make sure we're straight on that. All right. Item two is an ordinance to zone RC to uh the parcel that was just annexed, I believe. And again, this would make it how many units per acre? Uh, one unit per three acres. One unit per three. Okay. Do we have a motion? So move.

Second. All right. Is there any discussion? All right. All in favor of the motion, please say I. I. All oppose. Well, since they already annex it, I I did vote for the zoning, so it's two two notes. Final reading, ordinance number 2550. Okay. All right. Item three, another final reading.

Yeah. And staff would respectfully request uh deferral. We have started to advertise and put out the word that we're going to have a public input meeting at the holiday market. We'll have a table set up to um from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm um for folks to come by. And the the main things to talk about are the changes to detached accessory structures which includes uh height restriction and setbacks. And then we're also going to talk about uh expanding building area ratio um into the old Mount Pleasant area where aso you know in addition to the old village. Second

to defer I think um even before you brought that up, a lot of council members were thinking the same thing. So, good. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. Well, it just makes sense if we're having the booth at the at the thing and other things um to not go ahead and vote on this tonight for final meeting. So, the motion is to defer. Any further discussion? All in favor, please say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. All right. Nine committee action meetings, finance committee um possible action to accept a 2025 South Carolina Department of Agriculture grant. This is for the Wando shrimp dock. Um I got to look that way.

Yeah, I'd like to have a presentation if we could understand what we're trying to do with this before we

Sure. I'll be happy to summarize this very quickly. Um, the town has been awarded an agricultus initiative grant through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in Charleston County. This grant will provide reimbursement for the infrastructure upgrades to the shrimp dock, including structural renovations to the processing facility and parking lot improvements. The grant will reimburse $200,000 of the remaining $2.1 million currently budgeted to this project. Per our grants policy, town council is required to accept any grant award greater than $100,000.

Mr. Chairman, this is a very good process that the staff went through get this grant to help launch Shim Creek. Thank you very much for doing that. Mr. Brady, second to approve. I had the privilege of meeting the uh commissioner of agriculture there right before a farmers market and he came to the farmers market and loved that too. But he really loved what the town has done. Um they had just finished the up upgrading of the dock and everything and it really is if you haven't been down there you ought to see it. It's it's amazing. So Mr. Deore you and your staff that's that's great work. Thank you.

The place has has never looked better. Um so we have a motion to approve and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, please say I. Motion carries. Item 10, uh, new business. Council, new business, first reading of an ordinance to amend section 151.004 entitled extensions of vesting periods and limitations. Um, Mr. Rambo has lived for this date for years. And [laughter] so, Mr. Per you want to kind of tell us what uh and move to approve. [laughter] Second second.

I'm so excited.

Okay. Now, now you can find out what's in the bill, right? [laughter] Uh briefly, uh mayor, councel, th this is a provision brought forth um and was discussed at PJL and unanimous unanimously approved related to the town vested rights ordinance and the state vested rights statute. As council is aware, vested rights are a function or a creation of the state and obligates municipalities to follow state law. Mayor, as you alluded to prior, uh that the state cannot tell um anybody to say yes, but they can certainly dictate a result um if if it is not granted. And uh many of the questions have arisen, why are these brought to council? Well, in especially in the town of Mount Pleasant, um our council does grant a certain amount of of vested rights and and that is typically through PDS and just as you saw earlier um on the agenda, impact assessments. Um those are council approvals. Therefore, a and I don't mean use this term pjoratively, but a lesser body cannot grant a right an extension that council granted unless council approves. That is the very purpose of this ordinance. It would provide the right um uh to um to lesser, excuse me, in this case, planning commission, the right to extend u council does have the right to claw that back if it is an issue that council wishes to address and it can be placed on an agenda just as any matters are. At the same time, if it is a matter that planning commission is troubled with or has reason to refer to council, it can be referred back up the chain.

So, we're not losing any um any concern, anything that might be beyond what planning commission should do. Um just to relate back to the prior slide, um it the these are somewhat mandatory and I mean somewhat the extensions are required by state law unless there is a change in our ordinance um which could prevent that and and those are very rare. They do happen and staff vets those um and just like earlier tonight vets those and is able to report to council whether there is any cause to deny. So that is the purpose of the proposed amendment to our ordinances and I'll be happy to answer any questions. All right.

Yes, sir. Yes, Mr. Peglerini. Thank you. Um what are the consequences? Like let's say the planning commission denied uh a vested rights um extension. What what what are the consequences of that?

Um if if it is denied without cause, it would have to be of course that would be determined by a court. Um and of course if there were an order indicating the town could be liable for damages. Um and um any causes of action up to and including damages for any delay uh potential potential takings on a temporary or permanent basis depending on the result. Um but if it is denied at that level and one of the reasons we wrote inflexibility is that council could take up the matter if it was deemed uh necessary to do so.

So um just to make sure I understand um if the planning commission um denied the extension um town council could pick that issue back up and turn around and approve the the extension.

Yes, sir. Also, I I bring to council's attention all of the for example DRB when they approve sight specific development plans they're granting vested rights and those so this isn't anything that our boards and commissions aren't used to they do this on a semi-regular basis as well. The only difference here is that the original right was granted by council and council is now delegating that responsibility of extension to a lower body. But yes sir, it can be brought back up to the council level by any uh council member or three council members through the committee process or directly to the agenda.

Okay. Thank you. That does give me some com comfort because I I did worry about delegating that to the planning commission and then they make a you know an interesting decision and that puts the town on a on the hook um legally speaking. So, it sounds like if that were to happen, we could just immediately turn around and put it on our agenda and cut off any potential of litigation. Yes, sir. And I believe that to be true as of today, for example, I keep using DRB as an example. But if that were the case, um, staff legal would bring that to council's attention and and, uh, provide insight as to potential ramifications. Thank you. I've got a I've got a question.

Yes, sir. Is this is this typical for a planning commission to take this on?

Planning commission as dictated by state law can be responsible really for any planning um related functions. Their powers are quite broad. In this case, I think the only difference is as I said in especially in the cases of best uh impact assessments and PDs, these are council granted vested rights. And it's my opinion, I believe most any municipal lawyer shares these opinions that a lower body cannot grant an extension on a right granted by council without council's authority to do so. And that's what this ordinance purports to do. So when when this happens on a planning commission, I mean obviously you're not if if one of if we're not here, are are you planning on sharing this with the rest of council that something like this happens?

So I I would say across the board if I'm not at the planning commission and right across the board that when a vested right extension is denied, legal is obligate under any circumstance, it will be brought to council's attention. for the reasons that I covered in in my response to Mr. Brownstein. I personally believe that I appreciate the work the commission does, but I think we're voted to to do these. So, for this reason, I'm I'm going to be of no vote because I I think we're brought into office to make these decisions and not pass them down. So, thank you,

M. on this council tonight are two people that served on the planning commission.

And I would suggest that the planning commission has the responsibility to create um you know approval for items that we are now being asked to take over their job. The planning commission has that responsibility by law to make sure the plans meet the necessary ordinances and also to protect the public just like we do. And by having the planning commission take another look at something on an annual basis that there might have been some concern about before I think is the right thing to do. And I can think of one particular project that was worked on by the planning commission and ended up coming back to town council dealt with a hotel going in in the area around Lowe's and Walmart up in the northern part of town. And when it did come back to the planning commission, they made the rec made the changes necessary to satisfy the neighborhood. They required the developer to do that already. And that's part of their job. So that's the reason that PJNL recommended to bring it here to get some of these things that really

the planning commission is responsible for already back to them to take another look at to see if they made any uh errors at the time they originally approved. So it it does two things. Number one, it takes the burden from the town council of having to take a closer look at something that the planning commission already did once, but they might want to take a look at it again. And it's that's what their responsibility is. That's why they exist under state law. I think that's what our [clears throat] attorney is trying to tell us that that's their job under state law whether we like it or not. That's their job under state law.

Yes, sir. Miss, I don't see this as a burden for us to review these um situations. So, I'm a no on it. I I appreciate seeing these things annually. It keeps us informed. I'm not usually at a planning commission meeting and um I like to know when these things come up for renewal and how much more time they have and that sort of thing. Keeps me informed and there may be something that comes up that that uh I have a problem with that I'd like to know about. So, I'm going to know on this

how how many um this is maybe the fourth or fifth that I've seen in 10 years as a member of this body. Maybe five in 10 years, maybe once every couple of years we get on. Right. Yes, sir. Again, um the the the those that are approved at a lower level, whether it be any of our boards or commissions, the extensions are handled by those boards and commissions. The ones that council sees are those that would have been granted by council. In the examples I provided, PES impact assessments.

Okay. Did somebody have their hand up? [clears throat] My my only question was um whether or not council looks at this to give the extension or planning commission looks at this to give the extension. We're given the extension based on all the consequences that you laid out. So either way, it shouldn't take too much of our we probably spent more time talking about this than we would to just extend the vested right. So I was just [laughter] I'm kind of I guess asking sort of making making sure that was right. Okay.

So thank you. I was about to make a very very similar point and [laughter] I appreciate you guys putting it on um the agenda. I think my original idea was could it not be a staff level approval by like the zoning administrator or something like that because if staff is reviewing it and they've checked all the boxes of the state criteria, I actually worry not just about council but I worry about public pressure at a DRB meeting or public pressure at another meeting and all of a sudden they don't want to grant the one-year extension that we're essentially required to grant. Sometimes when it's on a public agenda, it makes the appearance that it's up for debate, so to speak, when it might not be. So that my original idea was through a staff level, but I'm guessing that's not.

Yes, sir. That that is um that is one of those questions that's up in the air. Um as council for the legal counsel for the town, I I am not I would not be legally in favor of delegating that to staff. I know it's done. It has been done. We know it's done. And if that's what council wishes a lot, [laughter] if that's what council wishes, it can certainly be amended at at final reading to do that. This is first reading everybody, right? Yes. And it could be amended. And it's a lawn first reading, too. Yeah. Okay.

Okay. I think um if there's no more comments, we're going to have to call the role. And um this is to um to approve. [clears throat] Mr. Chapman I. Mr. Chapman votes yes. Miss Crosby I. Miss Crosby votes yes. Miss Hyatt no. Miss Hyatt votes no. Mr. Ikafano no. Mr. Ikafano votes no. Mr. Rambo yes. Mr. Rambo votes yes. Mr. Tinky yes. Mr. Tinky votes yes. Miss Whitaker no. Miss Whitaker votes no. Mayor Haney yes. Mayor Haney votes yes. He skips me. First reading. Sorry. My apologize.

Mr. Brownstein. I'm a no. Mr. Brown votes no. No. I appreciate it. Usually I'm up first. So I like the the change in system. Got interrupted here. I think it's 54. So motion carries. First on first reading. First reading. Ordinance number 250055. Okay. Uh item number two is an ordinance authorizing and approving a grant of perpetual easement for water um and water contract to MPW relative to the public services operations center. All right. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor please say I.

I. Any opposed? Motion carries. First reading ordinance number 2556. Item B, old business is an ordinance to amend chapter 110 business license code of Mount Pleasant ordinance with an updated class schedule and other changes. Second. We have a motion to approve and a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion to approve, please say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Final reading, ordinance number 2552. Thank you very much. Uh, there being no further business for this council, item number 11 is to adjourn. We made up our time. [laughter] Best rights.