Hotels and King Street doing well

There were some contentious issues before Council last night, but none of much importance, at least in our view.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?”

“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%.

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.