And there’ll be lots of additional traffic. City engineers are working to improve the syncing of traffic lights, and police traffic planners are trying to speed up school year traffic at Joe Pye School. And the mayor, Councilman Kenny Skipper and I are encouraging the nascent Dorchester County roads projects initiative which will likely be put before voters in 2018. Widening of Wescott Boulevard and Patriot Boulevard are priority projects in the city’s view. The project received site plan approval in January, and the contractor is currently installing silt fencing and tree protection. Once those items are installed and receive staff approval, the permit will be issued for site clearing.SWEET ADDITION TO CONGESTED INTERSECTION – The volume of e mail inquiries alone confirm it’s a popular and now highly-anticipated project, but we must be patient. After a couple of years, it seems to be in final planning. Ladson Road and Palmetto Commerce Parkway will be just as busy, but yes, Krispy Kreme should have a new store in a quick construction mode there beginning by early June. I’ll keep you posted.
Want more information -go to https://www.dorchestercounty.net/index.aspx?page=72
Have concerns about infestations, standing water or other possible mosquito breeding conditions, or to propose spraying, contact the agency via e mail at Email: MosquitoControl@DorchesterCounty.net
It’s Summerville offices are at 500 N. Main Street and its phone numbers are
Summerville (843) 832-0080 or St. George (843) 563-0080.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM STUDY – A comprehensive study of the Pepperhill community’s drainage patterns will lead to formulation of stormwater drainage system plans for this neighborhood. It will also review constraints in the downstream aspects of the McChune Branch storm water conveyance system. The study was teed up last month for Council Finance Committee action but was pulled pending additional funding. FEMA had committed to a $25,000 grant, but the scope of this study will be redrafted to include upstream assessments of the McChune branch tributaries, including the Coosaw Creek Country Club wetlands which were heavily damaged during Hurricane Matthew. The effect will be a baseline assessment of drainage from The Farm at Wescott and other neighborhoods down to the more arterial flows of the McChune Branch. I chair the Finance Committee and I’m hopeful this can be back on track within 90 days.
REGIONAL RECYCLING CENTER – MAYBE. Charleston County now is moving ahead with construction of its long-delayed $24 million state-of-the-art recycling center on Palmetto Commerce Parkway. Mashburn Construction of Mount Pleasant will build the facility on acreage adjacent to a construction materials landfill. Machinex of Chicago will install the equipment and Charleston County Council will select an operator within the next six months. Construction and startup should have the facility up and running in late 2018. When this plant moves into full operations, an estimated 300 additional truck movements will occur on Palmetto Commerce Parkway. But County Council Chairman Vic Rawl envisions a regional recycling service evolving with this new facility. Mayor Summey and I agree – and believe this new center could be important to strategies for resuming curbside recycling pickup services for Dorchester County residents. We continue to look for silver bullet solutions, but there simply aren’t any. Dorchester County is the key and so far, the county has refused to permit the city to pick-up recyclables and deliver the material to the county contractor that handles the materials at the county’s drop-off “convenience” centers. As for the ever-increasing traffic on PCP, the city continues to work with both counties and SCDOT to calibrate signals and to move along projects and plans which will bring some relief.
PARKING ISSUES – Most homeowners associations have rules for parking. And the city and state have common sense laws that generally address concerns that parking rules and patterns should never compromise public safety, such as pedestrian access to sidewalks and emergency vehicles never being impeded. The city prefers that HOAs provide the primary enforcement. And HOA officers should remember that rules not enforced fairly and consistently can evolve into rules that are not enforceable. Please help spread the word to your neighbors that parking patterns do matter, in terms of public safety and public convenience for sure, but also in terms of nurturing property values. Some District 4 HOAs have figured out how to do this well. If anyone is interested in reviewing best practices, please contact me.
The 2017 North Charleston Farmers Market is off to a great start. You can visit it Thursdays from May 11 through October 26 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Felix C Davis Community Center at Park Circle. The market features an abundance of fresh, locally grown produce, with arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, specialty foods, and lots of activities for children. And each market day will include live music by groups and individuals from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Creative Arts Workshops – Our city’s Cultural Arts Department invites adults to participate in Creative Arts Workshops held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00am-12:00pm at The Olde Village Community Building in the Olde Village area of North Charleston (4820 Jenkins Avenue). These workshops are led by local artists and provide a unique opportunity to learn new techniques in a relaxed atmosphere. Varying skill levels are welcome. The cost is $15, which includes most materials. Registration opens the first day of the month that the workshop takes places and closes two days prior to each workshop. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Dept. at 843-740-5854.
