Councilman Ron Brinson – District 4 Updates – February 5, 2021
Site Clearing – Cedar Grove Shopping Center
This long-planned development is underway. Expect the buildout to move slowly through the Spring as site work and infrastructure work proceeds. The center will be a smaller version of the Corner at Wescott and will include a Lidl grocery store and a lineup of national chain merchandisers, including HomeGoods, Ulta Beauty, Ross, Pet Smart, Five Below.
Wescott Traffic Circle – Final Buildout In South Quadrant
This project presents the classic challenges of development based on planning and zoning decisions made more than a decade ago. No doubt, a consensus of neighborhood residents would be that no new developments should be undertaken at the traffic circle. But that option is not available in this case. The property owner has protected rights to proceed to build additional townhomes and a commercial strip in the south segment of the traffic circle, the entrance to the Wescott Golf Club.
So the theme of our recent discussions with the property owner is “if is something is about to happen…..let’s consider all options….and with ample input from the community, let’s try to get to the best outcomes.”
Here is a shorthand summary of history and options:
Current Authorizations for the complete traffic circle buildout – 125 townhomes, plus a commercial strip on south“quadrant.” The original zoning dates back to 2007.
The recent Austin Homes development account for 83 townhomes in the north “quadrant “.
Thus, the owner retains the rights to construct 42 townhomes and a commercial strip in the south “quadrant “.
The owner now proposes changes to eliminate the commercial zoning and add 26 townhomes. This would equate to 68 townhomes in the south “quadrant.”
We requested a traffic study/analysis to determine comparable impacts.This study indicates the traffic flow-and-volume effects are less with 26 additional townhomes compared to the permitted commercial operations.
HOA leaders in all the Wescott neighborhoods are now aware that an application to amend the applicable Planned Development District zoning is now imminent, and that this application will propose eliminating the commercial strip and adding the 26 additional residential units.
Mayor Summey, Councilman Skipper and I will, as best we can, promote provisions that address reasonable concerns expressed by HOA leaders as the PDD amendments are proposed to the Planning Commission and ultimately to City Council.
These include:
-A “significant appearance upgrade” for the townhome community, including building designs, landscaping and street and sidewalk capacities. HOA leaders have made strong recommendations that the “upgrade” follow the standards of the assisted living facility, materials and colors.
-There is strong support for designing this townhome neighborhood with a more attractive interface with the traffic circle and Wescott Boulevard so as to depict an impressive entrance to the golf club.
-The City will require an independent traffic analysis and assessment of lane markings, protected crosswalks and related signage the entire length of Wescott Boulevard.
-We will urge one or more pandemic-safe group meeting(s) with the developer’s design and landscaping team, just as we did so productively with the assisted living facility’s planning cycle.
An application to amend the current Planned Development District agreements related to the traffic circle would involve a public hearing before the Planning Commission and public forum discussions before Council’s Public Safety Commission.
Mayor Summey’s State-of-City Video
The mayor’s message is an interesting chronology of the last year, highlighting how our city has been affected by the Covid19 Pandemic and how it has responded to the constant goals of racial justice and equity. Hope you will take a few minutes to watch this video — https://youtu.be/HVIXweTE204
Curbside Recycling
We are working to formulate plans to renew this service for our Dorchester County homes mid-2021. Recycling markets remain uncertain and city finances are limited by the effects of the Pandemic. But we believe we might be able to start anew with market-related pickups. I will keep you posted.
Todd Friddleis our recently-elected Dorchester County Councilman. He’s off to an active start and working cooperatively with our city on so many mutual-interest issues. Reach him at SFriddle@DorchesterCountySC.gov
The North Charleston/DD2 Aquatic Center – A Success Story, Already
In its first six months, more than 20,000 swimmers used the facility, including daily, monthly or annual passholders; water aerobics participants; and competitive swimmers.
COVID-19 protocols have been strictly followed. Community use has increased steadily and the Aquatic Center hosted the High School League State Championships, SCISA State Championships and several year-round meets – all without spectators.
There are 10 water exercise classes per week, a year-round swim team, a Masters swim team, and the only Masters water polo team in the state. Weekend lifeguard training classes are offered monthly through May.
Two additional exercise classes will start in March: Aqua Boogie at 9 a.m. Fridays and Mom & Baby Aquafit at 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Aquafit is for moms or any other caregiver and tots 8 to 18 months old.
The City has not yet begun offering swim lessons, but a private company, Aqua Coach SC (visit aquacoachsc.com), teaches private and semi-private (2-3 siblings of similar ability) at the facility.
Applications are currently being accepted for summer and year-round lifeguards for the Aquatic Center and North Charleston’s four other pools (Danny Jones, Felix Pinckney, Collins Park and Northwoods). Guards must be at least 16 years old. Applications are available at the Aquatic Center.
To purchase a membership or sign up for classes, visit recreation.northcharleston.org.
For the daily schedule and membership prices, visit northcharleston.org/aquatics or follow North Charleston Aquatics on Facebook.
Information Resources
www.Northcharleston.org provides a comprehensive flow of information and helpful links to city services and permits.
Dorchester County’s award-winning website is awesome, www.Dorchestercountysc.gov check in to learn about the County’s new park developments.
Please recirculate this newsletter to your neighbors. I’ll gladly add any District 4 resident to the direct mailing list. Just let me know at rbrin@aol.com
Our mailing address is:
Council Chambers
North Charleston City Hall
2500 City Hall Lane
North Charleston, S.C. 29406
