Compromise sought after plan causes uproar
A plan that would have made public sewer service available for up to
1,250 homes on rural Johns Island was taken off the table Friday after
members of the public denounced the concept at a hearing.
Charleston Water System and St. John's Water Co. had signed an agreement
that called for making the sewer capacity available, but neither utility was
willing to defend the proposal at a Berkeley Charleston-Dorchester Council
of Governments hearing. Instead, a compromise plan is in the works that
could allow for sewer service to a single, 590-home development in what's
considered the rural part of Johns Island. The development, Brickman Farms,
was approved in 2004 by Charleston County at a time when County Council had
extended the 'urban growth boundary' line on Johns Island.
The boundary line is recognized by Charleston County and the city of
Charleston and is meant to mark the point where dense development ends.
The expected compromise plan, like the original plan, would also give
Charleston Water System the authority to provide sewer service to any
property on the 'urban' side of the growth line on Johns Island.
Currently, the utility is permitted to serve only Johns Island properties
within Charleston city limits. Those outside the city limits rely on septic
systems, even if they are within the urban growth area.
The utility hopes to offer sewerage throughout the growth area so that
property owners don't have to be annexed into the city to get sewer service.
Charleston Water System would then agree not to serve additional properties
on the rural side of the line, even if they are annexed.
'We have been working for years with the Council of Governments to come up
with a formal sewer plan for Johns Island,' said Kin Hill, chief operating
officer with Charleston Water System.
'This would actually limit growth,' he said. 'Under the current permit, we
could serve any parcel annexed into the city.' The issue that brought dozens
of Johns Island residents to the 10 a. m. hearing in North Charleston was
the 1,250 sewer taps for rural areas. The agreement signed by the water
systems called for St. John's to decide who would get the extra capacity,
but no list was made public.
'I see it as clearly disregarding the wishes of a majority of Johns
Islanders,' said resident Andrew Geer, who questioned where the idea for the
1,250 sewer taps came from.
'We really don't want our land changed,' said Charles Lane, another
resident. Jane Lareau of the Coastal Conservation League said calling the
original plan a 'smart growth' proposal was both Orwellian and perverse.
'This should be withdrawn immediately,' she said.
The Coastal Conservation League and several residents said they did not
object to Charleston Water System serving the previously approved Brickman
Farms development but saw no justification for making additional sewer
capacity available in areas meant to remain rural.
On Johns Island, the 'urban' area extends roughly from the Stono River out
Maybank Highway past the Johns Island Shopping Center, down River Road past
the Johns Island airport and up the road to Brownswood Road.
When the compromise between the water companies is finalized, it will go
back to COG for another, as yet unscheduled, public hearing.
What's next
When the compromise between Charleston Water System and St. John's Water Co.
is finalized, it will go back to the Berkeley Charleston- Dorchester Council
of Governments for another public hearing.
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