[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6662873,"mediaKeyId","2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1","parentId",2392038,"title","Residents urge traffic mitigation on Johns Island ahead of new elementary school opening","audioSeconds",75,"startMs",1588000,"endMs",1663000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1&start=1588&end=1663","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1/thumbnail_1588000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662873/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-traffic-mitigation-on-Johns-Island-ahead-of-new-elementary-school-opening","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662873-a99464489ac4eea312c0cdf88afded8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203167&Signature=AOtoxGXeV9slhklSApu49m68-rsKQ2PKHF~kqfc7B7ewjdeiuwRVN-JodwBoO9lQvxkOywUqo7H~YFDbMXnopQTQj4HNgH5uXFKQ8GvO2h4aOZgiiUKcKmDyrEudyjjGskMfPCxcu-5dWgrXZrMnMnklAjGHfo58egKsARscVoIHnUfGBnp0hqaF9uayQiymksAcGYPI02vmMgQdjskImjFTmjKK9DV1HyrIP0q~mH7n~UbaZFewXHhAw88TTy4L1nRTRePaciH5rHVdWZoJ-2XUpMBf9ocBzYZ37q2r4Y955uy--r1~VxrQ8Jeam9wRKq7lgH48mx7Jhe~VgqIwWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charleston","date","2025-02-26T05:52:10.457Z","article","Dozens of residents raised safety and traffic concerns about River Road and the Swaggert's Landing neighborhood during the Feb. 25 citizen participation period, urging the city and Charleston County School District to complete traffic mitigation before a planned elementary school opens.

Britney Pittman, who identified herself as a resident of Johns Island, told the council by phone that “traffic mitigation measures [must] be completed before the new elementary school opens” and said current road conditions and the lack of sidewalks would put students at risk. “The main roadway in this neighborhood does not have sidewalks, and there are no traffic safety measures in place,” she said.

Michelle Ballinger, who said she lives in the Swaggert’s Landing community, and Christine Hansen, another Swaggert’s Landing resident, made similar appeals. Ballinger said the neighborhood has no sidewalks or speed mitigation and that two of the school’s three vehicle access points will be in the Swaggert’s Landing area. Hansen asked the council to provide the specific traffic studies and data that support the city’s conclusions about safety measures to be implemented.

Mayor William S. Cogswell responded to the comments, saying the city is “taking a deep dive” on the issue and that staff has been meeting closely with the Charleston County School District. “We are committed to making sure that all the required improvements are done, before the school opens,” Cogswell said, and he named Councilmember Jim McBride as an advocate working on the issue.

The clerk reported the city received 41 online comments related to traffic concerns on River Road and Swaggert’s Landing and two written comments from Anthony Bridal that were forwarded to council. City staff said they will continue to work with the county school district and the neighborhood on required improvements.

Ending:
Residents asked for timelines, the underlying traffic studies and assurances that neighborhood safety improvements — including sidewalks and other mitigation — will be completed prior to school opening. Council and staff said they will continue coordination with the school district and neighborhood representatives and will report back through committee channels.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston City Council Meeting 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple Johns Island residents during citizen participation asked council to complete traffic mitigation, sidewalks and safety measures on River Road and in Swaggert's Landing before the new Johns Island elementary school opens.","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},6662878,"Council approves six annexations; defers two ordinance items and advances remaining bills",360,690000,1050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1&start=690&end=1050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1/thumbnail_690000.jpg","/articles/6662878/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-six-annexations-defers-two-ordinance-items-and-advances-remaining-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662878-6dfbdd03e487e85382f054c007a7a679/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203167&Signature=fV2QfBcEQr-5IP5suNZCo2CMV82BMADUtjZAXPL9Eg7fZqkzolvfcldYs1y48a5lMkvEFD2pCavydFteY-yDda2u8C4sNIinsKi-0C5nixrLz4ku4d2VYWMhvAJXtRqEgkeojcGUHTB~EXwZNrxJeI-cTcw1Udr6rccJ6V3XXdgD1jC0gYSktlA2Nh6nAtD~SYSOgH2WFfy6P4KHqWC1uL8t4fqAulnjugy8ZbPyiBF5jJdm-SamNL7xm0qU2ZpVNPQEy~wXdW13zcRCNjoOwKE6gQfpNSoykkZfWqp~plBiYxWhNgQ6HYV4Xs32u6NmL3rAxCIcMvHpMakdUhPPeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council on Feb. 25 approved six annexations presented during the public hearings and handled multiple legislative items, including deferrals and passage of remaining ordinances up for second and third reading.

During the public hearings, city staff presented six recent annexation requests and related zoning recommendations: 1761 Savage Road (West Ashley) to SR‑2; 1612 Poinsettia Road (West Ashley) to SR‑2; 206 Nellie Field Creek Drive (Kingly Peninsula) to SR‑6; 1913 Trent Street (West Ashley) to SR‑1; 2406 Double Oak Road (West Ashley) to SR‑1; and 171 Clark Avenue (James Island) to SR‑1. After two citizens spoke during the public hearing, including Anthony G. Bryant, who raised concerns about annexations and community development, a motion was made to take items 1–6 together and approve them. The motion passed; the meeting record states, “Ayes have it.”

Later in the meeting, staff requested deferral of two items scheduled for second reading, identified as M‑10 and M‑12; council moved and passed the deferrals. The council then advanced the remaining ordinance items on the agenda for second reading and, subsequently, moved that the titles be changed to ordinance and ordered for ratification. A later vote on the bills recorded two “no” votes on items reported as M‑1 and M‑2; the clerk announced those no votes were from Councilmember Greg and Councilmember Seekings.

Ending:
The council took no final action on the deferred items M‑10 and M‑12; staff will return them at a later date. The motion to advance and gross the remaining ordinances succeeded and those items will proceed toward ratification as provided by the council calendar.","Charleston City Council voted to annex six parcels, deferred two items (M‑10 and M‑12), and advanced several ordinances at the Feb. 25 meeting; one roll‑call showed two no votes on items reported as M‑1 and M‑2.",{"_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},6662883,"City officials and Bloomberg Associates outline plan to create 3,500 affordable homes, seek $800 million in catalyzing funds",788,2272000,3060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1&start=2272&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392038-5a701efd4da39bf3c1289d2130563ee1/thumbnail_2272000.jpg","/articles/6662883/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/City-officials-and-Bloomberg-Associates-outline-plan-to-create-3500-affordable-homes-seek-800-million-in-catalyzing-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662883-fd8d4e0f5e522be44cf1ec526fd291ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203167&Signature=oQhHbRbJ2YGEhAw-okEePMVfNAzrASaUnTl2sDKhYjkl6U22pWpyMLmqSnD0PsXl4~MVg3G0n5ZGge-yGmdMblPl5obFfYlrs5D9dJUFqpeNltUauHEc1qldP3Pya9bbolYhrV2aj2RL1Ixp7gow7jg0RX1~pRZCcp~hTLQFw3CcIG44O30OotiDip6TVDwLdtZ4wol9ZrgSRidWp6jz2VKZsuquZeSQZ-s6vjpiwrCsYCD313ZPcu~DGaIUGSHJfF1CcMMuZ6DloZGmlvRCyGvtLl5vYMAntf4cnuq9of3OFEEJmaLw5oEOoqdjJuvEyOW4OdCwYU9fTj55oCKkZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council heard a presentation Feb. 25 from Bloomberg Associates and city staff that set a goal of creating 3,500 additional affordable or attainable homes and identified roughly $800 million in catalytic funding the city would need to assemble from public, quasi‑public and private partners.

The pro bono consulting team from Bloomberg Associates, represented by Naaman Freeman, told council the region’s population growth has been driven by smaller, higher‑income households that are displacing larger, lower‑income households and tightening the rental market. “The area median income for a household of four is now well above $100,000,” Freeman said, adding that the city lacks enough units affordable to households at 50% of area median income (AMI) and below.

The presentation said the city must both increase overall supply and create more long‑term income‑restricted units so lower‑income households are not “cannibalized” by higher‑income renters. Freeman said the city should target income‑restricted affordability, with long affordability terms, and added that the mayor asked the team to include an additional goal: speeding development review and permitting.

“We must make development review and permitting much more expedient,” Freeman said. City staff and councilmembers emphasized the point: a faster review process reduces carrying costs and helps keep the cost of new affordable units lower.

Amy Wharton, the city’s chief financial officer, summarized funding options discussed by staff: general fund contributions (the city currently contributes $300,000 annually from franchise fees), potential general obligation (G.O.) or special bonds, use or extension of existing tax increment financing (TIF) districts (she cited about $30 million currently available in the Cooper River TIF), disposition of city‑owned land, density bonuses, tax abatements and pursuing revenue from a regional transportation sales tax (TST) if the state allows sales tax proceeds to be used for housing capital costs.

“Those are ideas,” Wharton said. “It’s fine to have ideas and dreams and goals, but how we’re going to pay for it, we need to start penciling out.” Mayor William S. Cogswell and several councilmembers urged pursuing a repeatable revenue stream rather than one‑time bonds.

City staff presented an inventory of publicly owned sites across the tri‑county region and said 29 city‑owned parcels, totaling about 74 acres and an estimated value of over $100 million, could support affordable housing and might yield up to 4,000 units under some development scenarios. The Charleston Housing Authority, the staff noted, currently has about 2,600 units and plans and sites that could permit 2,000–2,500 additional units as part of redevelopment.

Staff and Bloomberg Associates estimated the per‑unit subsidy for new construction at deeper affordability levels can be high—roughly $300,000 per unit at 50% AMI and higher (up to $450,000) for the lowest AMI bands—hence the need to pool public, philanthropic and private resources.

Next steps listed in the presentation included continued exploration of revenue and financing options, incorporating development feasibility into zoning updates, implementing program changes and leveraging public and institutional assets (for example, university and hospital land) for public‑private partnerships.

Councilmembers asked about secondary effects of speeding permitting, the potential for induced development, and tools to activate underused privately owned land. Freeman and staff said speeding permitting does not mean reducing standards but removing unnecessary delays that add cost; they suggested tools such as land tax reform, incentives and targeted use of publicly owned land to encourage development in corridors where infrastructure exists.

“No single lever will do this by itself,” Gianna Shaw Johnson, a member of city staff who led portions of the nine‑month effort, told council. She said resident stabilization, homeownership support and preservation of existing affordable units will be part of the package if the city can secure more resources.

Councilmembers and the mayor praised the study as a deep dive that turns long‑standing needs into an actionable menu of options. Mayor Cogswell and councilmembers said further work is required on legal change at the state level to allow sales tax capital use for housing, and staff will return with more detailed cost and program proposals for committee review.

Ending:
City staff said they will bring follow‑up information to community development and ways‑and‑means committees and continue discussions with regional partners, the Housing Authority and philanthropic partners. No funding commitments were made at the Feb. 25 meeting; the presentation laid out options and next steps for further council consideration.","City staff and Bloomberg Associates presented a nine-month study that sets a target of 3,500 affordable or attainable homes, calls for speeding permitting, and identifies potential funding sources including TIFs, bonds and a proposal to use transportation sales tax revenue for housing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge traffic mitigation on Johns Island ahead of new elementary school opening

Council approves six annexations; defers two ordinance items and advances remaining bills

City officials and Bloomberg Associates outline plan to create 3,500 affordable homes, seek $800 million in catalyzing funds