Traffic engineer says wider roads not always answer
Johns Island - A traffic engineer was rewarded with hearty applause from
dozens of island residents Monday after criticizing road-widening projects
and suggesting that traffic congestion can be a good thing.
The engineer, Walter Kulash, spoke at the kickoff meeting for a week of
community planning workshops on the future of Johns Island. Charleston
planning officials will craft new development ordinances based on the
outcome of the meetings.
Kulash's presentation reinforced the sort of growth that Charleston planners
have favored on the suburban edge of the island: interconnected roads that
allow motorists to travel through neighborhoods and avoid main arteries,
mixed-use town centers with sidewalks in front and the parking out back, and
as few multi-lane roads as possible.
"If we consciously accept congestion ... things that look at first like
negatives may in fact be positives," Kulash said.
Kulash said many communities have allowed a suburban growth pattern where
unconnected residential and commercial developments are strung along the
major roads, which quickly jams those roads with traffic. In response, the
roads get widened, but studies have shown that only encourages more traffic,
he said.
"It's wonderful that we're considering all the options now, while we still
have choices," Kulash said.
Large and predominantly rural Johns Island is facing increasing development
pressure, and many new subdivisions are under construction. Residents don't
like traffic, but many would be loath to widen the island's scenic roads.
In the community room of the Berkeley Electric Cooperative, about 90 people
gathered Monday for the planning workshop.
Planning maps showed zoning rules, wetlands, a study of tree-canopied roads,
topography, the location of new neighborhoods, and other information about
the island. Copies of earlier growth plans and the recent recommendations of
the Johns Island Growth Management Committee were laid out on several
tables.
Several people who attended the workshop asked about plans to extend
Interstate 526 from West Ashley across Johns Island to James Island. City
officials didn't mention I-526 during their hour-long presentation, but were
questioned about it by residents.
Dori Lawton moved to Johns Island less than two years ago, and she said she
hopes the area can avoid the type of development seen in Mount Pleasant.
"It sounds innovative, and it sounds like it could work," she said after
hearing the city's presentation.
Lawton said she also hopes the extension of I-526 can be stopped, or at
least delayed.
Leon Green, a lifelong resident, said he's all for preserving the appeal of
the island, but he's not opposed to road improvements.
"Johns Island is a beautiful place, but people here also have to get to
work," Green said. "I work in North Charleston, and I want them to extend
Interstate 526."
Charleston has supported the extension of I-526 for many years.
Charleston's top planning official, Josh Martin, told the crowd that the
planning workshops would result in guidelines specifically for Johns Island.
The workshops will look at everything from development along Maybank Highway
to the location of future schools and parks, he said.
"This is not a plan coming out of City Hall," said Councilwoman Anne Frances
Bleecker, who represents Johns Island. "This is Johns Island's plan."
Part of the island is within the city limits, but most of it is not, and the
city will need to closely coordinate planning efforts with Charleston
County.
After the workshops held this week are completed, Charleston's planning
staff will work on new ordinances to regulate development on Johns Island.
Those ordinances could go to the city Planning Commission and then City
Council in May or June.
"That's how we give teeth to what's discussed this week," said Christopher
Morgan, director of the city's Planning Division.
If you go
The Johns Island community planning workshops are held in the meeting room
of Berkeley Electric Cooperative, 3351 Maybank Highway.
The workshop space will be open and staffed at these times:
Today: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday: 1-7 p.m.
Thursday: 1-7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: Final presentation scheduled at 10 a.m.
For more information, contact Christopher Morgan, director of Charleston's
Planning Division, at 724-3774 or morganc@ci.charleston.sc.us.
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