Input sought on future of Johns Island tract

Johns Islanders can weigh in on what they think should be done with nearly 900 acres near the intersection of River and Plowground roads. The city of Charleston is hosting three public workshops this week in an effort to resolve an ongoing dispute over property rights versus restricting development. About 30 people attended the first workshop Tuesday. The residents left yellow sticky notes on oversized maps for city planners about their hopes for the wooded land. One sticky note said, "Do you know how special the entire Charleston area is? There is no other place on earth like it. We need to protect it." In July, City Council rezoned the land to limit growth, despite the property owners' opposition. A group of landowners had hoped to develop a portion of the land and have sued the city for any loss in property value. The lawsuit remains unsettled. The longtime landowners say the city reneged on a promise made nearly two decades ago when the property was annexed into Charleston. Plans were under way to build a subdivision of about 800 or 900 homes on two large adjoining tracts near the Charleston Executive Airport. The council had unexpectedly moved to rezone the Johns Island property two weeks after learning of the development plan, because the land is outside the urban growth boundary, which defines the end of suburban development. About 200 homes are now allowed. Christopher Morgan, director of Charleston's Planning Division, said the landowners haven't decided what will become of their property. "They would like the potential to allow some development there in the future, but there's no definite plan for it," Morgan said. "We're just kind of wanting to get folks' thoughts about what would be best in this area." Larry and Carol Savage own land that adjoins the property in question. Larry Savage said they would like the land to be left untouched. Landowner Victor Rawl told the Savages and others at the workshop that they don't intend to let anything happen "adverse to Johns Island's general interest." Asked if the city's workshops might resolve the dispute, Rawl said, "Who knows?" Morgan said the open forum could show whether the public would support limited commercial, light industrial or mixed uses of the property. If you go The city of Charleston is continuing its public workshops to discuss development ideas for nearly 900 acres on Johns Island. The workshops will be 6:30-8 tonight and 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Both sessions are at the Berkeley Electric Cooperative Office, 3351 Maybank Highway, Johns Island. For information, call 724-3787.

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