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ScribeBy: Arlie Porter of The Post and
Courier Staff
Originally Published on: 5/6/03
Protracted battle over issue expected
For the second time in as many months, a Charleston County zoning board rejected plans Monday for the construction of a $9.7 million waterline across Johns Island, an action that cheered islanders but brought immediate threats of a lawsuit.
Disregarding their attorney's advice, the county Board of Zoning Appeals voted 6-3 to uphold a decision in March to deny a permit needed for the waterline, which opponents and supporters agree would promote development on the south end of the island.
While ecstatic over the vote, Johns Islanders at the meeting said they expect a protracted fight over the waterline, which is proposed by a private water utility to serve the island's future drinking water needs.
The 11-mile waterline would stretch along River Road to near the entrance to Kiawah and Seabrook islands, providing for the development of 500 homes at Hope Plantation and construction of the largest shopping center on Johns Island.
The St. John's Water Co. claims the waterline is desperately needed as a backup to the existing water supply on Johns Island and Seabrook Island and that without it, development will stall, if not come to a complete halt within a year.
Dozens of Johns Islanders have protested vigorously, claiming that the waterline would lead to construction of thousands of homes and the overdevelopment of their mostly rural island.
At the earlier vote, zoning board members said the waterline is not consistent with the county's long-range plans that call for limited development on Johns Island.
The St. John's utility asked the board to reconsider, saying the board lacks the authority to interfere with a federally funded utility.
The board's attorney, C.J. Manos, recommended Monday that a decision be postponed until lawyers could work out their differences.
But saying they do not want and are not qualified to decide a legal dispute, board members simply voted to reaffirm their previous decision.
Joseph W. Hall, a member of the utility board, was not at the meeting. But in a phone interview afterward, he said he was disappointed.
"I think a lawsuit will be filed. I think it will cost taxpayers of Charleston County a quarter-million dollars, and I also think that we will win," Hall said.
If the waterline is not built, state health authorities could impose a moratorium on construction on Seabrook Island as soon as next year, Hall said.
Board members Joan Fox, Samuel McConnell, Carolyn Harrison, Tony Bryant, Gussie Humes and John Hope voted to uphold the earlier decision. Voting against it were board members Paul Speights, Janet Alexander and Lydia Johnson.
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