[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6359980,"mediaKeyId","2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931","parentId",2175459,"title","Council members warn CCSD school may not open without required River Road mitigation","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",3110000,"endMs",3840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931&start=3110&end=3840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359980/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-members-warn-CCSD-school-may-not-open-without-required-River-Road-mitigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359980-c6cd4dfdc36b944cbab3ecf6c06c47d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167508&Signature=aNWafwS~sdX2Pq0WlNhmvSgkvGzP24-R~P2raYUsRBgDgmDaCNaUnDNiRSf2Koc-mrG0Cf60WgmrjLzCvz7Lrn~vUBdEVVl-LH4lWcu1QPX4gVRgcl~Lv2S3M7JB5HVmgJQaauBELNgG2pt1b0O0D1O0hC7-9mazQpRwWcGWfc4FUgwjA~XXCsBy-OlljQXcZelt5YhUqIunTV99RYnXkSVYlZJGNSoZ4vUJ5jqjhyBJuwml29me5pENxnIWXxYGHUHiJa3KHqpuEMFncOl6TYCVvNab0UuOgV-H-sSe26uhEbQ5h6fH1-TLfwvGTPLe1TLcPggwdxApG~DPGFKTPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Charleston SC","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Charleston City staff and council members told the Traffic and Transportation Committee on Jan. 28 that required off-site mitigation for a new Charleston County School District school — including a roundabout and turn lane work on River Road — may not be completed before the planned school opening, jeopardizing the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

Council Member McBride, who represents the area, presented a short video and maps showing the school location and neighborhood connections. James Wallace of the city’s Transportation and Traffic staff told the committee that during permitting SCDOT required curb-and-gutter be extended to the project limits, a change that affects off-site construction scope. Wallace said CCSD indicated it may not obtain required permits or finish mitigation in time and that the district is discussing contingency “plan B” routing if mitigation is incomplete; Wallace said CCSD expected to have a clearer timeline in February.

City staff previously tied issuance of final CO/TCO to completion of off-site mitigation. The administration said it had sent or would send a letter to the school board outlining the city’s concerns and that the mayor would contact CCSD to convey the committee’s concern. Committee members said withholding a CO until mitigation is complete is a possible enforcement mechanism to prevent unsafe conditions at the school opening.

Members also raised neighborhood impacts: McBride and other council members urged proactive traffic calming in adjacent streets that may see new cut-through traffic; staff said the city has advised CCSD to begin the neighborhood signature and speed-hump process ahead of time but noted the Fire Department sometimes objects when traffic calming is proposed without demonstrated post‑opening need. Committee members requested CCSD provide status updates on neighborhood traffic-calming petitions and mitigation timelines.

The committee asked the mayor and staff to contact CCSD immediately and to include the topic on the committee agenda in February for a progress update, with CCSD representation invited. The mayor’s office and staff said the city’s letter and a potential decision on withholding CO would be considered carefully but emphasized public-safety concerns about opening a school before mitigation work is completed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston Committee on Traffic and Transportation 1/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Traffic and Transportation Committee that SCDOT’s permitting changes have increased off-site requirements for the River Road roundabout and that required mitigation may not be finished before a new Charleston County School District school is due to open.","taxTitle","Charleston City, Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3701,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359970,"Votes at a glance: Jan. 28 Traffic & Transportation Committee",635,1144000,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931&start=1144&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6359970/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-28-Traffic-Transportation-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359970-93dd8dab5d530e12d7eb4dd9a86dfcd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167508&Signature=N5yCOl-GuxQ~Png4gd4ZEK0lYQjRXRRjUhFj~KPbHs-JgJWonLRN4GTCtBvHozbgE-cJrrC-pj7lSUo94rGyPvHzHniB8JzqdF1u8VNo0piwpe3dNE5fD55q18-MsM34LPC9iKz2pnRDscQ9LjLtXRa1Z6M7ZTlukEq7cFMiuivOLrymGbsAnaq6OtP~JYS-rLRnD06qxMvw9cp4klTUb70mLOxC61WXzq3wqCrJcy~gN1iXVBXFqbnSbhfiJgWcwNxcV3bXh0bhRAxd-KS4hmt7Qdv-QTCTPThd8gZH~AAhLy5XhBL8zjXvGkvHBoMX9XT0Qne-DK6bJHhnMrUh6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Charleston Traffic and Transportation Committee took votes on multiple administrative items on Jan. 28. Below are the actions recorded at the meeting and the outcome recorded by committee staff.

Votes at a glance

- Low Line funding recommendation (Cooper River Bridge TIF): Committee recommended forwarding a request to Ways & Means and City Council to approve $15,000,000 for phase one of the Low Line (Mount Pleasant Street to Line Street). Outcome: recommendation carried (ayes with 1 abstention). See separate article for details.

- License agreement with South Carolina State Ports Authority: Authorize the mayor to sign a license agreement to use 70 parking spaces in Lot B near the port for food-and-beverage employees at no charge; city to be responsible for maintenance of the lot. Outcome: motion passed (ayes have it).

- Resolution supporting Charleston County’s Better Northbridge application for USDOT 2025 RAISE grant: Committee voted to send a letter of support for Charleston County’s grant application. Committee clarified the resolution does not obligate the city to provide funding. Outcome: motion passed (ayes have it).

- Ordinance amendment to Section 19-125 (restricting bicycles on the Battery seawall): Committee approved adopting the amendment; item had been taken up previously but was not properly noticed on an earlier agenda. Outcome: motion passed (ayes have it).

- Support for Bloomberg Asphalt Art grant application: Committee authorized staff to apply for a $100,000 Bloomberg Asphalt Art grant for improvements in the Lockwood ramp area. Outcome: motion passed (ayes have it).

- Increase in daily meter bag fees: Committee approved raising the daily meter bag fee from $18 to $20.27 to align with updated hourly and commuter rates. Outcome: motion passed (ayes have it).

Procedural notes

- Several agenda items were carried with routine “ayes have it” statements and limited discussion; where questions arose members asked for clarifying information or confirmation that no financial obligation would be created by a support resolution.

- For items forwarded to Ways & Means and City Council, staff will prepare follow-up materials and the items will return to Council for final action.","At its Jan. 28 meeting the Traffic and Transportation Committee voted on a set of administrative items — including forwarding a $15 million Low Line funding request and approving grant-application support — and carried each by voice vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359975,"Charleston committee to draft narrow ordinance after state law limits golf cart use on multiuse paths",245,1284000,1529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931&start=1284&end=1529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931/thumbnail_1284000.jpg","/articles/6359975/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-committee-to-draft-narrow-ordinance-after-state-law-limits-golf-cart-use-on-multiuse-paths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359975-98ad04dde0edc304492dc4e1997f77fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167508&Signature=ffu2A79XjeJCSfVXBiJoQOUcFCK7Gkujdcctk5FqVIqoY1vtXQ58sEBKYHjEXORV2egYq10GuwilVbyiuu-0KZrYsAGfEzAPEn8q4~ZbhOpxKBIJLKRiUe-4l-iORSTtS6v8tVfMvlZZpwynXe9mPA~4oxERXC6j~9rO509REcHExq~n3UczPuymiDDLxZMS2XzZWWB7PtyLW6l49P9G0GpoGuaL4bhiFs477uOO2GU2IUNzDgCOtKXx~vv4ggQGoRUqKckqqLiWpmEpVzETppFz5pxMJnXoulgJD2Cc23oVIdDivmsgqyHvvs8NzGrIP79xTgvIkuqb2NnCCQ36Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council members and staff discussed whether to permit golf carts on certain multiuse paths and directed legal staff to draft narrowly tailored ordinance language that would enumerate specific paths rather than creating citywide allowances.

The discussion followed the committee’s review of a resident and councilmember Bowden request to allow golf-carts on a multiuse path near Drayton Hall Elementary to ease access off U.S. 61. Staff told the committee that a state statute prohibits golf carts on multiuse paths unless a municipality explicitly enumerates an exception for a specific path; the city has installed bollards at some paths to prevent cart access under the current interpretation.

Council members and the mayor emphasized a surgical approach. “We need to be very strategic and very surgical about how we approach this because it could become a problem if everyone wants access to the paths,” a committee member said. Council Member Bowden proposed enumerating the Ashley River bike path as an example of a single-path approach; members said any ordinance should include pedestrian and bicycle safety protections, yield rules and limiting provisions (for example limits on distance from residence, registration and insurance requirements noted in state law).

The mayor asked legal staff and staff from affected districts to draft proposed language with affected council members and return it to the committee at the next meeting. The committee requested consultation with advocacy groups and fire/traffic safety staff and emphasized the need to avoid setting an unintended citywide precedent.","Committee members directed staff and legal to draft narrowly tailored ordinance language to allow golf-cart access to specific multiuse paths where state law permits enumeration, focusing on an Ashley River/Drayton Hall corridor request while avoiding citywide precedent.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359986,"Charleston officialspress Flowbird for fixes after battery and delivery problems; vendor targets March 1 rollout",975,1884000,2859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931&start=1884&end=2859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931/thumbnail_1884000.jpg","/articles/6359986/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-officialspress-Flowbird-for-fixes-after-battery-and-delivery-problems-vendor-targets-March-1-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359986-5e60f1a71e6ca4c9b4f9d660de7690fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167508&Signature=kSkvxw8aCHIdt7EqyCPyvV6lseu0aTEMMrmjieOrs7CRU-lfQnDhgagq2PR2vFq1Pppiuu5ufoMyKClRzidVOEe4YJHi58c56Koylsd8dtZSRoEJ26FIx1sdISKGfSRkpdwwSE7zl28e~bddcnsDWMUrZ9R1ZlWmfltOo6QdcmALu-awiG6Z2F6RYjWB-kkh3-112eo8ZaGvU7mYWJti1vxALDj-uYdqkoDp9DkT6V1qpUXJarpR4kakbUh6m55V5KbI95FrJ4RyZ5WsPRD5GIQ2uzeff2QruZONBghtMholHN8HlD4JwvDSvKM6nczuahzS6EImL53KnTezfrA-~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Flowbird representatives told the City of Charleston Traffic and Transportation Committee on Jan. 28 that 700 new parking meters and pay stations have been delivered and installed, and that supply-chain and battery problems have delayed completion of the roll‑out.

Natalie Snow and Jeff Nethery of Flowbird said the company has experienced vendor and weather-related supply problems and that incorrect or end-of-life batteries were shipped to the city. Flowbird said a corrected battery shipment is arriving in stages (100 batteries arriving immediately and weekly shipments of 125–150 thereafter) and that local field technicians are prepared to install replacements; Flowbird said the remaining meter heads are shipping weekly and that the company expects the hardware and battery replacements to be installed and fully operational by March 1, 2025.

Council members said the uneven rollout has left many meters beeping, offline, or unable to accept payments, producing customer complaints and likely revenue loss. “700 meters in 2 years is not acceptable,” one council member said. Flowbird acknowledged the rollout had not been ideal but noted the city’s new app and text-to-park options are available and that roughly 200,000 digital transactions have occurred since the app launch in February 2024.

City staff and council members pressed Flowbird on contract status and payment. Flowbird said the contract is three years long and that the city is not billed for equipment not delivered. Flowbird also said the new meters are solar-assisted and that properly functioning batteries should last three to five years.

Council members raised operational concerns: the city's smart-card refund function is not supported by the new meters, the system default minimum payment was configured as one hour (a change from former coin-based increments) and can be modified but may be constrained by credit-card processing costs, and roughly 300 of the deployed meters were showing low-battery, dead-battery or communications failures during a recent operations review. The committee requested a written remediation schedule and a progress update in April.","Flowbird, the city's parking meter vendor, told the City of Charleston committee it has installed 700 new meters and is shipping replacement batteries and additional heads, aiming to have hardware and batteries fully deployed by March 1, 2025; council members said service disruptions have caused lost revenue and urged faster remediation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359991,"Charleston committee backs $15 million for first phase of Low Line, urges wider TIF plan",424,141000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931&start=141&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175459-379255fd1f5aec7519c817bf4dbca931/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6359991/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-committee-backs-15-million-for-first-phase-of-Low-Line-urges-wider-TIF-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359991-6b720cfdab2da0f3d66ca624beefea17/orig.mp4?Expires=1776167508&Signature=WhcspsUSH0rqPpRjvg4Wr0xOBhRXpu0vcnvgmaM-ZijtUlfgDpHeh~7V41ahwDfC0FyMv71QldsgWIWvFCrz2ozSHkW2fuPYcum4nUaxhlG~ZRc0o62vvgnEvWc~C0CU4VMMn4A32OUtXBt3CWmgSWuELcAMeJBPLBU5oPh7ctqTilffZz-f9dNXfrVnqVCWWl~PnsfGQOs0sQ7d5Ni3XKxqQHXblijMNHv0BGvJQK9QvbI0hAMU9iPI8lRUaGfHMNDe9JwQZAzfh4y846XOT3qd-hjt5fQX6ptDufZx0VPaD-uBP~7ZZEDeksxqOOWyFBeq4ENzmeHQXL01fsNHwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Charleston Traffic and Transportation Committee on Jan. 28 recommended that City Council and the Ways & Means Committee approve $15,000,000 in Cooper River Bridge TIF funds to pay for the first phase of the Low Line linear park and multiuse path.

Committee members said the money would fund the path from Mount Pleasant Street to Line Street, with a proposed Phase 2 extending to Marion Square. The committee vote to carry the request forward passed with the ayes prevailing and one abstention.

The Low Line proposal, first conceived in 2013, is planned as a linear park and bike-pedestrian corridor that its proponents say would link redevelopment projects and provide a nonvehicle connection for peninsula residents. City speakers said the $15 million figure covers the path itself; additional park and resiliency features around Newmarket Creek and elsewhere would be pursued later and could be funded by private developers tied to nearby redevelopment projects.

The mayor’s office told the committee the Cooper River Bridge TIF currently holds roughly $30 million in realized receipts and that the city has capacity to borrow about another $30 million against the district, producing roughly $60 million of investment capacity for the area. Committee members noted other proposed uses — including an outstanding offer to Charleston County on 995 Morrison and several drainage and park projects — and urged the city to coordinate spending across those priorities.

Several members pressed the administration for additional analysis before committing substantial sums. “All I want is a comprehensive plan with regard to the TIF district and the contiguous areas,” Council Member Gregory said, arguing that water and drainage problems in the district should be addressed first. Committee members and staff said some drainage actions depend on federal Army Corps decisions affecting Newmarket Creek and that certain improvements could be premature without clarity on larger resiliency works.

Council Member McBride and others raised neighborhood questions: McBride said constituents had asked whether existing facilities such as the Bridal Spot skate park would be affected; staff said the skate park would not be negatively impacted by the Low Line as proposed. The administration said design and construction would proceed in increments, beginning with the portion between Mount Pleasant Street and Line Street, with a target to have phase-one work under way and substantial progress by year-end.

The motion before the committee was for the body to recommend that Ways & Means and City Council approve the $15 million allocation; a motion to move the item passed and was seconded. The committee carried the recommendation forward for council consideration.

The committee directed staff to provide more detailed information about prior TIF expenditures in the immediate Cooper River Bridge area, short- and long-term drainage cost estimates, planned timelines, and the relationship between the Low Line build and other TIF projects. The mayor’s office and finance staff said they will supply those clarifications as the item moves to Ways & Means.","The City of Charleston Traffic and Transportation Committee recommended that City Council and Ways & Means authorize $15 million from the Cooper River Bridge TIF to fund phase one of the Low Line linear park and path, while members pressed for a comprehensive plan addressing drainage and TIF-area priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members warn CCSD school may not open without required River Road mitigation

Votes at a glance: Jan. 28 Traffic & Transportation Committee

Charleston committee to draft narrow ordinance after state law limits golf cart use on multiuse paths

Charleston officialspress Flowbird for fixes after battery and delivery problems; vendor targets March 1 rollout

Charleston committee backs $15 million for first phase of Low Line, urges wider TIF plan