Current zoning of this property is R4 which allows 4 units per acre (about 40 total) and a maximum height of 35’. The Charleston County planning commission has recommended to DENY this project because NONE  of the criteria to rezone are met. 
Developers are requesting a rezone to allow 100 micro townhomes (16 ft wide) that are two and three stories tall (touting that only 15 will be affordable / below market rate to meet affordable definition by the county).  Yet this developer has built several other micro townhome communities in Charleston that are for rent only. The supporters say this is a great opportunity to create generational equity. Yet turnover rate on these properties is somewhere in the 40% range. These micro units are hardly livable for a family of four or seniors/elderly people who can’t navigate the multiple stories. And if the city and county were so concerned about creating equity, why did they approve the thousands of apartments and “for rent” communities that we have all over West Ashley and Johns Island? 

The current zoning does NOT create a hardship for the owner. And I am not opposed to the current zoning as the property owner has a right to that. But those pushing for this project are the ones that stand to make a lot of money from it - realtors, developers, and the former mayor and his son who represents the sale of the property. Meanwhile, the residents are left with nothing beneficial - loss of character of the surrounding area, worsening traffic, and strain on infrastructure. Please remember long Savannah will be adding an additional 4000 homes. There are currently over 600 more apartments and townhomes  being built along Bees Ferry right now. According to Zillow, there are over 400 properties for rent less than$ 2600 a month and 150 homes for sale less than 450 K - This is within 3-4 miles of this property .

Please sign this petition and I will present it to council at the next meeting in December. Currently, the developer has asked to delay the next meeting to give them time to secure a deed restriction that states they will only build 100 townhomes (160 is allowed for the zoning request). The issue is not the deed restriction. The issue is that this density does NOT belong on this property. 

Several residents have written excellent letters and you can  read comments from others if you need ideas about what to say. If you sign this petition please make sure you have also sent a comment to the county through the engagement portal.

https://engage.charlestoncounty.org/h02245

The meeting is scheduled for Dec 18 at 5pm. Show up early to speak if possible! Send comments to the county as well! 

Council Chambers

Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building

4045 Bridge View Drive (2nd floor)

North Charleston, SC 29405