Look for Important Information Flows As The City Moves To Out-Source Sanitation Operations
For Its Dorchester County Residents. The Target Is A July 1 Start-up.
There Will Be Changes In Curbside Collection Schedules.
PARD Grant – This “Parks and Recreation Development” program provides state-funded matching funds grants program for eligible local governments within each county which provide recreational opportunities. North Charleston had never received any such grants from Dorchester County – until earlier this year when Representative Chris Murphy and Senator Sean Bennett shepherded our city’s Dorchester County 2018 application. The $47,000 matching funding was approved last week. The ballfields at Wescott Park will now have upgraded artificial sod as these baseball fields host more and more regional, state and national events. Also, the heavily used dog park at Wescott Park will be resurfaced with artificial turf designed specifically for pet parks. These projects should be before City Council very soon and work should begin within 45 days. We are grateful for Rep. Murphy’s and Sen. B ennett’s leadership.
Wescott Traffic Circle Zoning- The Planned Development District zoning was approved in 2007. When developers asked for amendments, we were able to negotiate a slight reduction of residential units, a rearranging of commercial uses and elimination of the possibilities of a gas station and convenience store. These changes were reviewed February 20 by a group for neighborhood leaders, mostly HOA officers. The Planning Commission recommended approval and City Council ratified the amendments May 24. Development per se is problematic when we consider traffic and capacities of Wescott Boulevard and Patriot Boulevard, between Palmetto Commerce Parkway and Wescott Boulevard. But District 9 Councilman Kenny Skipper and I believe the amendments make this a somewhat better “plan.” We continue to petition Dorchester County for help in formulating funding plans for the designed widening of Wescott and Patriot.
Apartments Project – This work on Wescott Boulevard, in a word, has been a mess. The contractor has been informed that the right-of-way drainage functions and landscaping must be fully restored to city specifications before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Panera Bread- This project at the Corner at Wescott is inching through site planning. Emphasis now is on preserving grand trees at the site – at which Harris Teeter previously proposed a fuel station.
Aquatics Center- Groundbreaking will be in mid-July. This $23 million facility should be open in late 2019. It will be an Olympic-sized competition pool, with a smaller pool, and meeting space. A new roadway connecting Patriot with the Fort Dorchester High School campus should be open in late September. As to the question about collateral developments in this area, there are no firm plans. The Aquatics Center and the new roadway will occupy city property. It will be flanked by properties owned by the Dorchester District 2 Schools and Dorchester County. A county library, an EMS station, a police and sheriff’s substation and passive parks have been mentioned in the conceptual planning. The tract across from the Aquatics Center has long been zoned for commercial use. So is the smaller tract at Appian Way and Patriot. These properties are owned by the family that donated the land needed to complete Patriot Boulevard. The only other properties zoned for n on-residential commercial use on Patriot Boulevard between Appian Way and the Charleston County line near the Joe Pye School are the parcels owned by the Coosaw Creek Owners Association at the neighborhood’s entrance. These are zoned “Office Neighborhood.”
Projects Updates –
Kickin’ Chicken will soon open at the Walmart-anchored center at 9800 Dorchester Road, replacing the “Triangle”.
Rainbow Day Care is coming to the old Goodwill facility at 8730 Dorchester, between Trump Street and Club Course Boulevard.
Others, with District 9 Councilman Skipper’s help—-
CareNow Urgent Care Clinic located at 8445 Dorchester Road between Chick-fil-A and Popeyes’ opened on April 24th. Read the full announcement
at https://www.carenow.com/locations/charleston/north-charleston/
Cookout Restaurant 8475 Dorchester Road continues construction and should open this summer. Here is their website. http://www.cookout.com/
The Famous Toastery at 8509 Dorchester Road also should also open this summer. http://www.famoustoastery.com/
The Crossing at Wescott – This assisted living facility is celebrating its first -and a very successful – year. A “One Year Anniversary” celebration will feature a summer cookout theme and if you’re interested in attending and touring a real asset to our community, have a look at this flyer:
Please Share This Little Newsletter With You Neighbors. I’m happy to add any constituent to the direct mailing list. Just drop me a note at rbrin@aol.com
