Correct urban boundary mistake

Last summer, as Charleston County Council reviewed its comprehensive planning document and the zoning code, then-Chairman Tim Scott assured Johns Island residents that there would be no major shift in the urban growth boundary. County planners described proposed changes as a "housekeeping" matter. But the changes turned out to be more substantial than expected, and Johns Island faces the prospect of thousands of more residents in a few years. No wonder island residents continue to demand that council restore the urban growth boundary close to its previous location. Council should comply with the wishes of residents who want to keep the island as rural as possible. After all, rural preservation is one of the stated goals of the county's Comprehensive Plan, approved by council. The change approved by council in November will allow suburban development on an additional 2,400 acres. The change in allowable dwellings could increase the number of residents from 850 to 10,000, according to a Planning Department estimate. Some Johns Island residents think the numbers will go higher. The sentiment of island residents is clear. Despite council's previous unwillingness to heed their objections, they successfully petitioned for a rehearing to seek a reversal of the boundary shift. The petition was signed by about 130 landowners in the affected area, and about 300 island residents overall. Some of those petitioners spoke out Tuesday, urging council to recognize the ill effects of providing for additional suburban growth and recommending it be restored to a location more in keeping with the county's Comp Plan. "We're trying to protect the rural character of our area," said Cindy Floyd, a Johns Island resident and former county council member. "Return us to the rural side of the urban growth line." Residents complained about the everyday effects of suburban development on the island, including the loss of rural character, increased traffic congestion and renewed pressure for the consumption of more land for development. "Once this boundary is moved, with a sleight of hand, the rest of the island will go, too," Kenneth Grant predicted. Two letter writers from Johns Island make the point on today's page that council would do well to consider the potential effect on emergency evacuation, not only of Johns Island, but of the resort islands of Kiawah and Seabrook, as well. Tony and Charlotte Beck cited their difficult experience evacuating for Hurricane Floyd, and accurately estimate the likely results of accommodating thousands of additional residents: "... an evacuation order will quickly degenerate into a huge fiasco and will probably be generally ignored. This is a recipe for disaster." It's not too late for council to recognize its mistake and move to correct it.

Web site created by My Scribe