Council hits the brakes on growthDistrict 2 moratorium gets initial OK from Dorchester County By Dave Munday (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
ST. GEORGE — Dorchester County has hit the pause button on growth. County Council gave initial approval to a six-month moratorium Monday on new residential developments around Summerville. "We need time to plan," said Council Chairman Larry Hargett, one of five councilmen who voted for the moratorium. Planning Committee Chairman Chris Murphy was the only member to vote against it. Councilman Mike Murphree was absent. "This is going to be the death of the economy in Dorchester County," Murphy said. Murphy also protested the fact that the ordinance won't be sent to the planning committee for study. Councilman Richard Rosebrock wrote the motion to make sure the ordinance remains before full council until it passes. The moratorium on new developments won't become final until it passes two more readings. The county will schedule a public hearing before final approval. The moratorium only affects developments that have not already been approved. It also applies only to the District 2 school district, which includes the rapidly growing Summerville area. County attorney John Frampton, upon questioning by Hargett, said he didn't see any legal problems with restricting a moratorium to one part of a county. The moratorium will allow the county to come up with a plan to make sure growth doesn't continue to outpace roads and schools, supporters said. Councilman Jamie Feltner is pushing a plan called the adequate public facilities ordinance, which would require developers show how roads and schools can handle the extra people before the county can approve a new development. County Council held a public hearing on the adequate public facilities ordinance Monday before voting on the moratorium. About twice as many people showed up to oppose the facilities ordinance as to support it, according to a show of hands Hargett requested before the hearing. Those who opposed it said it goes too far and would kill the local housing market, a major source of jobs in Dorchester County. "I'm here to urge council to be careful," resident John Conway said. "A lot of people can be hurt." Those who supported it said it only makes sense to not allow development to keep getting ahead of roads and schools. "We need to do something to get better facilities before we build more," resident Jim Waldman said. Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@ postandcourier.com. |
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This article has 11 comment(s)
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Posted by beespencer on October 16, 2007 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Death of the economy of Dorchester County??? There are so many houses on the market and with the credit crisis of mortgages, that is not a good reason to continue to build more houses. The county need more diverse, high paying jobs coming in; instead of building a house on every piece of land possible. I still can't figure out why would someone build 700+ homes off Miles Road next to Coastal Center.
Posted by dorchester101 on October 16, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Murphy says it will be "death of the economy of Dorchester County". Who is he fooling? Thankfully, not the other members of council. It will hurt his wallet now that he won't be doing as many realestate closings for developers he represents.
Posted by trod on October 16, 2007 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well thats good news.
Posted by ginj on October 16, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Those who opposed it said it goes too far and would kill the local housing market, a major source of jobs in Dorchester County."
If this is the major source of jobs in Dorchester County, then it says a lot about all the jobs in this county. County council should be working toward more permanent job sources than housing. With the exception of Bosch and the medical industry there is not much in this end of the county, much less the entire county.
Posted by trod on October 16, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
EXACTLY jinj our chamber of commerce is doing a terrible job at attracting business that create real longterm employment.
Posted by beespencer on October 16, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess he think building houses for the next 30 years in this county is possible
Posted by Nonsense on October 16, 2007 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can hardly believe that this bubba system finally voted for something that makes sense. Most of the time all they are interested in is what lines their own pockets. Dorchester county traffic, particularly Summerville, is a nightmare, and in my opinion, this moratorium should have been done a long time ago. The quality of life in Summerville has gone way down from the time I moved there back in 1979. Once I retire, I will be moving away from here. The whole town should be ashamed of the ghost shopping center on the corner of HWY 78 and the Berlin Myers - nothing should be allowed to be built until this blight has been dealt with.
Posted by Bertha90 on October 16, 2007 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
keep fooling yourselves....
Posted by trod on October 16, 2007 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah bertha i agree its a little smoke and mirror. something solid needs to be done.not just to quiet the natives.
i did in 76 nonsense you use to be able to ride a bike down bacons bridge road across town now you catch cain in a car.
Posted by rdegolyer on October 16, 2007 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“This is going to be the death of the economy in Dorchester County” you have got to be kidding me. How about houses as far as the eye can see, how about gridlock where you can’t even get on the interstate, how about rising taxes to pay for our understaffed police officers, firefighters and teachers.
It makes you wonder who Chris Murphy is representing when he makes statements like this. It sure sounds like contractors and builders are who he cares about, both honorable professions but they have become out of control, everyone making a quick buck with no concern whatsoever for the future.
The recent article in the Post in Courier cited the fact that twice as many people were in favor of not having a moratorium than those in favor. Let’s put it to a real test, let’s have the Post and Courier conduct an unbiased poll instead of relying on a show of hands from those involved in the building and trades industry. Better yet, let’s put it to a vote like we did when we got rid of the Mini bottles.
Would anyone like to wager on what the outcome would be? Local residents are too tired of fighting traffic and trying to get home from there jobs every night to go to public meetings on limiting building in our area.
The local housing industry has been out of control for some time, and when the article stated that the housing industry was a major source of local jobs who exactly are they talking about? A large portion can’t even speak English and don’t pay taxes, should we stop building altogether? Absolutely not, but let’s use some common sense, would Lowes and Home Depot even notice a slow down? Probably not………..
Robert DeGolyer
Summerville
Posted by robbybobby on October 16, 2007 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK, we've got 6 months. Don't let up. Keep the pressure on and let's get 6 years and see if the economy really dies.
Murphy, get real.