Long Savannah on trackCharleston council approves plan for annexation By David Slade (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A plan to annex 1,253 acres of rural land in far West Ashley, for a subdivision that could include thousands of homes, sailed through Charleston City Council with little discussion and even less public comment Tuesday night. The Long Savannah development won't be a done deal until council votes on final approval, perhaps in March, but the initial decision set the stage for a week of public meetings on the design of one of the largest new communities ever planned in Charleston. The annexation vote came more than five hours after the council meeting began, right on the heels of a two-hour debate about a zoning decision involving a bank branch on Rutledge Avenue. By the time Long Savannah came up, around 10 p.m., most of the audience had left and elected officials asked few questions about the city's largest annexation since Daniel Island. "This is a very important decision, and we're making it in a fraction of the time spent on an issue on Rutledge Avenue," said Councilman Henry Fishburne, who voted against the plan. Supporters said the annexation of the Long Savannah property is a rare opportunity for Charleston, because the development is directly connected to plans for 1,800 acres of new city and county parks, a developer-funded extension of the Glenn McConnell Parkway, and other incentives such as money and land for schools and public facilities. The developers previously reached a deal with the community of Red Top, which initially opposed the plan over concerns that Bear Swamp Road would be turned into a four-lane highway to Long Savannah. The developers promised to not widen the road, and to provide financial assistance to the rural community. "This is a once-in-forever opportunity," said Mayor Joe Riley. The new parks that come with the Long Savannah plan would create an impenetrable buffer, he said, marking the end of suburban growth in West Ashley. In comments echoed by a representative of the Coastal Conservation League, Riley said that if the city did not annex the land, a developer could build about 1,600 homes under the current county zoning and give nothing in return. The property controlled by developers comprises more than 3,000 acres, but that includes the 1,800 acres slated to become new city and county parks. The park purchases already have been approved, and would use $9.3 million from half-percent sales tax funds for green space. Those deals are contingent upon the development plans moving forward. Opponents said the annexation flies in the face of Riley's frequent talk about regional planning and cooperation. The land is currently outside the city limits in Charleston County, located on the "rural" side of the urban growth boundary line in West Ashley that, until now, has been recognized by the city and county. "I think we're going against smart growth principles, and against working with other governments," Fishburne said. Riley responded that the plan is beyond smart growth, "it's brilliant growth." City Councilman James Lewis said the large development could make it more likely that the number of council districts where black voters are in the majority will be reduced, the next time district lines are redrawn to account for population changes. "Right now we have five African-American City Council members," Lewis said. "After the next redistricting, we will probably have four, and if these annexations continue, we could have two or three." Fishburne, Lewis and Councilman Robert Mitchell voted against the annexation, and against moving the city's urban growth boundary. Both passed 9-3, with Councilman Wendell Gilliard abstaining. Mitchell said he's concerned that there's no set limit on how many homes could be built at Long Savannah. Riley said the number of housing units in the mixed-use development would be determined over the next several months, and particularly during a week-long series of public workshops. The workshops start with a kick-off presentation at 6 p.m. Friday, at the old Kincaid Furniture store, 1821 Sam Ritten- berg Blvd. Subsequent workshops start at 9 a.m., and a wrap-up presentation is scheduled at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 12 comment(s)
Posted by now_ready1 on November 28, 2007 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"This is a once-in-forever opportunity," said Mayor Joe Riley. The new parks that come with the Long Savannah plan would create an impenetrable buffer, he said, marking the end of suburban growth in West Ashley......
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"I think we're going against smart growth principles, and against working with other governments," Fishburne said.
Riley responded that the plan is beyond smart growth, "it's brilliant growth."
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It wasn't really important to vote in the last election you said .......
"Foolish Charlestonians, who will save you now!"
Posted by Native_Ink on November 28, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again, Mayor Riley's comments make it clear he thinks all his constituents are morons.... How are these parks an "impenetrable buffer" to sprawl, one might ask. Is it that developers are afraid to develop land on the other side of these parks? Is it because Hollywood and Ravenel have sworn never to open their doors to greedy developers? Mayor Riley is setting a precedent for sprawl along that section of Savannah Highway, and he knows it. He's just looking forward to placing the blame on other towns, like he always does.
Posted by greener1 on November 28, 2007 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
come on people, is there anyone that is out there that will buy these homes, NO.
Posted by notfooled on November 28, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only reason this property is annexing is because CPW (which is in Riley's back pocket) won't provide sewer service while it is in the St. Andrews PSD because it will over tax the current sewer system. Correct me if I'm wrong, won't it over tax the sewer system if it's in the City too. What corrective actions will CPW take to prevent this problem? My guess is nothing will be done. Riley would annex North Carolina if he thought he could get away with it.
Posted by icbmman on November 28, 2007 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Early, you must be joking about "responsible growth" in Mt. Pleasant, though I'll give you a pass on Summerville, which only recently stopped its suburban growth. How smart is Mt. P when it only has 1 major thoroughfare where basically ALL traffic has to go to get in and out of that side of town?
But I must really take issue with all of the people here who complain that the primary city is continuing to grow. Chas is my hometown; I grew up West Ashley in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let me tell you something, our quality of life wasn't that spectacular. Industry and new jobs were extremely limited, the only mall was Ashley Plaza (which was a dump), and the best places to eat were fast food chains. Granted, we still had boating and the beach, but many parts of IOP, Sullivans, and Folly were falling apart. We still have beautiful oaks, plantations, parks, marshways, rivers, and oceans. That's why Chas has become so popular to live and work.
How come none of you complain about N. Chas or Mt. P "sprawling" out? Again, this anti-Riley, anti-city attitude has taken many of you to the depths of obsession. That being said, I have to agree that if this development will be built, additional infrastructure needs to be built as well. I've mentioned this several times: have Glenn McConnell be extended as a limited access freeway to I-95 and eventually Augusta. There needs to be another route in and out of the city besides I-26 for hurricane evacs.
Posted by crankyyankee on November 28, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does it strike anyone else as funny that these southern goobers who hate yankees to the grave, will take the same tact to turn this beautiful place into the cess pool we turned the north into, only 100 years later. Ya'll always have been a tad slow!
Posted by beespencer on November 28, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
icbmman, according to the MeadWestvaco master plan project on eastedisto.com, Glenn McConnell Parkway would be extended from its current point, to Hwy 27 in Givahans in the near future...
Posted by captivated on November 28, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great idea! Extend Glenn McConnell to Columbia if you will, but it still does not solve the traffic problem into the city. If you think we have congestion now, wait until all these house are built. With Shadowmoss expanding and every inch of land around West Ashley high under development, anyone living across Bees Ferry can count on a one hour commute to downtown, even if they leave early. Also, it will be hard selling homes so close to a (SNIFF) landfill! But it will happen, because King Joe says it will!
Posted by icbmman on November 28, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beespencer, that route is appeasing to me, but if it goes that far northwest, then there should be an interstate spur off of it, before it gets to Givhans, that connects I-95 around Walterboro to Chas. I was hoping that the Glenn McConnell would do that. Now, I see that the road will basically supplement the heavily traveled, scenic SC 61. This is needed to be sure.
Early, as far as aesthetics, I agree that Mt. P looks nice, but that's only because it's newer. However, that still doesn't answer the question of the inadequate infrastructure for the "town" (sorry, if you're over 10,000 people, you should be a CITY). US 17 is a nightmare, even with the widening. To address the issue that captivated brought up, West Ashley has been severely looked over in widening projects...why don't they consider widening Savannah Highway and St. Andrews Blvd/Ashley River Road all the way to Paul Cantrell? Why hasn't Glenn McConnell been widened? The infrastructure needs are there, and all of the governments (city, county, and state) are neglecting one of their primary responsibilities.
Posted by beespencer on November 28, 2007 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whenever MeadWestaco and Charleston County decide to extend Glenn McConnell Parkway to Givhans, hopefully development isn't following the highway.
Posted by now_ready1 on November 29, 2007 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Help keep North Charleston tidy, dump your trash in Charleston.
Posted by icbmman on November 29, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bee, I think that if the extension is a limited access freeway, development can be limited. But considering how the state likes to build roads half-a$$, that might not be done.