Short term rental ordinance passed with amendments

To be reviewed in 6 months

Council gave the final reading to the ordinance creating a Short- term Rental Overlay District in the City. The ordinance was passed unanimously – significant, as the Planning Commission rejected it in its original form. Because of this rejection, a 75% or more majority of Council members was needed to pass the ordinance.

Continue reading "City Council, January 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

Citizens: comments to be heard at beginning of Council meetings

Warwick Jones

As County Administrator O'Neal noted at the close, yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting was the shortest in his memory. The explanation was that there was very little on the agenda.

The only thing of note arising from the meeting was the decision to begin Council meetings at 6.30 pm instead of 7 pm. As well, the citizens’ comments session would now be heard at the beginning of the meeting and extend to 30 minutes. Chairman Pryor said that the move would be given a 90 day trial and then reviewed as to its success. Council meetings will still be held on every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and Finance Committee meetings on the preceding Thursday..

We think moving citizen comments from the end to the beginning of a Council meeting is positive. In the past, citizens had no opportunity, unless public hearings were scheduled, to comment on many issues until Council had voted. There was no opportunity for a citizen to speak at a Finance Committee meeting and comments at the following Council meeting could only be made at the end of the meeting, after Council has voted. Citizens will be better served by the rescheduling.

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)

Two contentious issues buried

Assigns completion of I-526 to state, and elects a chairman

Warwick Jones

Did we hear a large collective sigh of relief at the conclusion of yesterday’s Council meeting? Council members must have felt something kin to relief when they buried two contentious issues – the completion of I-526 and the election of Council Chairman.

Continue reading "County Council, January 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

Planning Commission Chairman speaks against short-term rental ordinance

Council moves to make it area specific

Marc Knapp

Yesterday’s meeting was the first of the New Year and the first for new Council members Moody, Waring and Wagner. The agenda was long though contained little of issue. Indeed, the only issue was the ordinance that would allow short-term rentals in commercially zoned areas.

Continue reading "City Council, January 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)

No agreement as to who leads Council

Council member Pryor retains Chair by default

Warwick Jones

With Democrats holding a majority of seats on Council, the election of the Chair should have been straightforward. It wasn’t. Council member Pryor remained in the Chair after last night's vote, but was not voted to the position. No member who stood for the position obtained a majority and in consequence, Council member Pryor retained his position as Chairman.

Continue reading "County Council, January 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)

City’s investment in mid town paying off

Short-term accommodation rentals allowed in Commercial districts

An item related to a new parking garage on King Street prompted the short speech by the Mayor. A garage was to be built in response to the large number of development projects that were planned in the area. These were about to transform the mid-town parts of King and Meetings Streets, the Mayor said. He also noted that the City made a considerable investment in the midtown area, particularly in relation to infrastructure. He instanced the blue stone paving, the parking garage at Marion Square and the Visitors Center. Clearly these investments had paid dividends.

Continue reading "City Council, December 20"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

BAR approves College Dormitory development off King Street

We think the location is good, but the scale overwhelming

Warwick Jones

We were surprised and disappointed at the decision of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) to give conceptual approval of a plan to construct a dormitory for the College of Charleston. The dormitory is to house 400 students and would be located on lots behind King Street that presently are used for parking. Although we had no issue with the location, the proposed structure was far too large for the site in our view. It is too visible even though it is behind King Street shops, and the proposed height is a long blot on the City’s skyline.

Continue reading "BAR Meeting, December 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:03 PM | Comments (0)

Budget for 2012 passed

Some Council members look to aid businesses

Yesterday’s meeting was short with an uncontentious agenda.

The 2012 budget was passed without comment on Council. As the draft had been available for some weeks with plenty of time for review, the lack of discussion was understandable. Viewers should note that we prepared and posted a detailed review of the budget some days.

Continue reading "City Council, December 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

A massive development project for North Charleston

I-526 still on hold, Redistricting Plan gets qualified approval

When the national economy gets back on its feet, Charleston will stand seven feet tall, a business colleague said recently. He was reflecting on the surging investment in the community by business groups. Of course, Charleston presently is not exactly an economic midget particularly after the investment of Boeing and some of its suppliers. But the appeal of Charleston that drew this investment remains strong. And it was evident at last night’s Council meeting.

Continue reading "County Council, December 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)

2012 Budget review

Warwick Jones and Marc Knapp

Council will vote on the City’s 2012 budget at its next meeting. A draft on the proposed budget can be seen on the City’s web site. The Mayor has already commented that revenues are expected to rise modestly, and the gains will be used to fund higher spending on Police and Fire services. A 3% increase in salaries and wages is also planned. Importantly, no tax increase is proposed.

Continue reading "City Council, December 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)

More clarity but not resolution of Angel Oak issues

Gun range amendment back to Planning Commission for re consideration

Marc Knapp

We’re not sure that Council member Wilson was satisfied by the response. And certainly some supporters of the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) were not. But at least there is more clarity surrounding the issues relating to the Angel Oak development.

Continue reading "City Council, November 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)

High noon at the Lonnie Hamilton

Contention over public works projects and Solid Waste progress

Warwick Jones

It could have been a Hollywood western. Bristling with bravado, Big Ma Mosley marches up to the bar, orders a double whiskey. She downs it and glares at her adversaries. With a hand on her holster she flintily flings out a challenge. “ What’s ye’r beef boys? Y' gotta problem?”

Continue reading "County Council, November 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

Mayor Riley to “Citizens for a Better Charleston” – Thanks

“Overwhelming” support for Mayor from “South of Broad" and Ansonborough

Warwick Jones

The election results for the City of Charleston were a surprise. That Joe Riley won was not, but that he won so handsomely was. Many of us, perhaps even most of us, expected a run off. The polls we saw before the election had Riley ahead of his main opponent, Council member Dudley Gregorie by only a few percentage points. The other contenders were well behind but with percentages that would have denied either Riley or Gregorie an outright majority. As we all now know, Mayor Riley romped in with 67% of the total, well ahead of Gregorie’s 27% and Farrow’s 3%.

Continue reading "Mayoral Election"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)

Where are the property tax bills?

Committee formed to begin study of consolidation

Council wondered out loud what on earth was going on at the Auditors Office. Where are the property tax bills for 2011? They should have been out some weeks ago and the delay will also delay the collection of revenue. This will not only be inconvenient but municipalities and agencies that rely on tax revenue may have to borrow and incur interest expense to tide them over.

Continue reading "County Council, November 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)

Of ships and sails and sealing wax, …and (men who would be) kings

Warwick Jones

Who they are we do not know. But their hands are busily turning the spindles and creating a web - exceedingly tangled to better achieve their immediate purpose of catching and deposing Mayor Riley. Their purpose beyond his deposition is murky.

Continue reading "Mayoral Election"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)

An uneventful meeting

Council member Gregorie – a closet Republican?

Marc Knapp

There was little to report on last night’s City Council meeting. We would comment on only three things - the recognition of Fire Chief Carr by the American Red Cross, the number of annexations on James Island, and the subdued manner of Council member Gregorie.

Continue reading "City Council, October 25"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)

Funding issues for Greenbelts

“Qualey” Plan approved for Harbor View Road

Differences seem to be growing on Council as to the direction of greenbelt funding. Some Council members contend that too much as been spent on conservation easements. More funding needs to be directed to acquiring property where the public has access, they say. The difference came to a head last night when a project approved by the Greenbelt Bank failed to win approval by the Finance Committee. The vote was evenly divided (4/4). Council member Summey was absent last night and his vote will be critical when Council meets on Tuesday evening next and the item is again considered. Council members Darby, Qualey, and Johnson, and Chairman Pryor voted against the approval at yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting. The slow deliberation by Council member Rawl suggests he too has some reservations about the financing of conservation easements.

Continue reading "County Council, October 20"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)

No tax increase for 2012

Students unhappy about skateboard restrictions

Marc Knapp

It was supposed to be a Budget workshop. But it really was a budget briefing, and with few questions asked by Council members. The Mayor made a short presentation. The important points were;

1. Modest growth is expected in most revenue areas in 2012


2. No tax increases will be proposed in 2012.

Continue reading "City Council, October 11, 2011"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

Still deliberating over plastic in yard waste

Agenda sheets to be more descriptive?

The issue over plastic in yard waste is likely to soon come to a head. Earlier this year, the County delayed the implementation of an ordinance to stop disposal of yard waste at Bees Ferry if it contained plastic. As most of the waste is collected in plastic bags, the ban on plastic requires major changes in the collection of garden trash by the municipalities. Predictably, some were not easy about the proposed change, particularly North Charleston. A change in collection methods would be costly. Most municipalities chose to go in future with paper bags. But North Charleston and many citizens were not convinced of their efficacy.

Continue reading "County Council, October 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

A warning for those aspiring to resurrect the Town of James Island

A statue of MLK at Liberty Square

Marc Knapp

The City fired a warning shot across the bow of those who might be thinking of resurrecting the Town of James Island. City Council agreed to send a resolution to the County asking that if a new town were formed, it provide and pay for a police force that is appropriate for a town of its size. The final paragraph does not quite say that but the many “whereas” paragraphs certainly do.

Continue reading "City Council, September 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:07 PM | Comments (1)