[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6520184,"mediaKeyId","5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e","parentId",5334391,"title","Mount Pleasant council approves franchise, grants and multiple planning items in July 8 meeting","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3379000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e&start=3379&end=3379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e/thumbnail_3379000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520184/Mount-Pleasant/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Mount-Pleasant-council-approves-franchise-grants-and-multiple-planning-items-in-July-8-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520184-16a51ba2a32dae85adf1f4285c5cf481/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110410&Signature=TZ7unPl2F0R~jyvvc4ddd-yxNIMDEGxPVc9PEXhRxs6KBAhGWduBVWHrXFXiDjx0kL4godff~q-NYk4SxgFw3z0QwQlG36jRciK7EcD18Ezm9skVYQovQTdbH-xqWIgvtrF27ez2DHV2TUf-z7Ajhut4ls29BhKghzgte3KKjfVhRQWXIqv6ezIry~lAm4jY8zPZaEGOKXnzefWBJxzxWTpqBOwZIeQJN0hQfnkYxTOWP1JIGAq3SIRQxcNy0oDpNxHiOSv~7lOIGo~ZWq4U-Z-rF1ZK1FZbeAxDG4JrWxiYGVV2CzmRzpDaCMdt2UiNcU2FP0lwUPMgKmAFOQU~Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mount Pleasant","date","2025-07-09T13:35:14Z","article","Mount Pleasant Town Council used its July 8 meeting to advance a range of municipal measures: first-reading approval for a fiber franchise, funding for historic-preservation and festival beneficiaries, and a series of planning and zoning items.

Highlights

- Lumos Fiber franchise: Council approved on first reading an ordinance authorizing a franchise agreement with Lumos Fiber (a division associated with T-Mobile) to provide fiber-optic broadband in town rights-of-way. Ben Bridal, representing Lumos Fiber, told council the proposed network offers much higher, symmetrical speeds and said the company had worked with town staff for months. The ordinance passed first reading.

- Stone Schoolhouse Association funding: The finance committee recommended and the council approved allocating $10,000 to the Stone Schoolhouse Association for emergency weatherization of the Long Point Schoolhouse. Committee discussion noted the building's historic ties to Mount Pleasant.

- Blessing of the Fleet donations: As part of an awards presentation, the council accepted checks supporting MeowDog Animal Rescue and the Rotary Club of Mount Pleasant. Town staff reported each beneficiary would receive more than $13,000 generated by the festival's net proceeds.

- Rainbow Bridge memorial: Council approved a community-proposed memorial (the \"Rainbow Bridge\") at Park West trailhead with no financial burden to the town; local businesses pledged materials and management for construction and upkeep.

- Planning and zoning: Council considered a long planning agenda that included new annexations, rezonings and first readings for multiple ordinances (details below). Several items were approved on first reading or final reading; some matters were deferred after committee discussion. One planning item (a small AB-to-PD tract) failed to secure a majority for denial and was set to return under the town's adoption timetable.

Votes at a glance

- Lumos Fiber franchise (first reading, ordinance 25043): approved (first reading).
- Stone Schoolhouse Association: $10,000 allocation approved (finance committee recommendation).
- Blessing of the Fleet beneficiaries (MeowDog Animal Rescue and Rotary Club of Mount Pleasant): checks presented; town accepted donations and recognized beneficiaries.
- Rainbow Bridge memorial: approved (applicant will provide materials and maintenance; location set at Park West trailhead).
- Multiple annexations/rezonings and planning items: a slate of ordinances (see agenda item 8) were presented; most proceeded as first readings or final readings as noted on the record, several items were deferred for additional review.

Why it matters: The franchise agreement would enable expanded fiberoptic broadband in town rights-of-way; the Stone Schoolhouse allocation supports preservation of a local historic structure; festival proceeds support local non-profits; planning votes affect development patterns and local land-use rules.

Next steps: The Lumos franchise and other ordinances will return for required additional readings; staff will implement the Stone Schoolhouse grant and coordinate the Rainbow Bridge project with the applicant and volunteer partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 8th - Mount Pleasant Special Town Council Meeting & Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a first-reading fiber-optic franchise, allocated $10,000 to a local schoolhouse association, approved checks to festival beneficiaries and handled a slate of planning items and annexations on July 8.","taxTitle","Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",5820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6520188,"Council approves first reading of e-bike rules; speed and enforcement changes included",52,7417000,7469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e&start=7417&end=7469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e/thumbnail_7417000.jpg","/articles/6520188/Mount-Pleasant/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-first-reading-of-e-bike-rules-speed-and-enforcement-changes-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520188-cfac536d398d4389befcaf5a44f9d346/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110410&Signature=kLvrtoZIbVXiKpRK796K2EyxVGGjBNEjfZxpCkSn7A~n3IyjBStEtPVtXQxffi14Iz2mymtKOlOok5n449BEI9xGuQVenXwJstR1ke5HqukjMZIzwMGJ9rPvJTLGLFzN5CPDspX7Djqnf01n3vfwE8ySSNdL2Nm0AXqk3h1E6M-KIXVisB7IvyBOC5UA~iW5qR1LLFMNIAoH7upHP~Jr17z5uWJicyzHE3j8Uwh8bVpJrwHBFZL5izQWQbDuwdS2jB1HgyVYzdMh8m-~ZuIdNfySlzCqv5kcFMiH~qMEBDO29~OiGPD5Xmim-1CJryd52KmNj32tLMIqu6GvBAJZqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Pleasant Town Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending the town code governing electric bicycles and similar devices. The changes advanced by the council include raising the speed limit referenced for regulated sidewalk operation and clarifying enforcement options for younger operators.

Under the proposed amendment, the town would change the local sidewalk speed benchmark from 10 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour and add language to enable prosecution of operators under age 18 when applicable. Town staff explained the changes are intended to align with recent stakeholder input and to provide enforcement tools for incidents involving higher-powered vehicles that exceed the state definition of a low-speed e-bike.

Town staff and council members noted the main enforcement concern is not legally defined Class 1 e-bikes but rather higher-powered vehicles that function as mopeds. \"The biggest problem is not true ebikes. True ebikes don't go over 20 miles an hour. They don't have over 750 watt engine. The biggest problem is these things that are not ebikes under state law. They're actually mopeds,\" a staff member said during the discussion. Several public commenters also described safety incidents involving teenagers on high-speed devices in parks and neighborhood streets.

The ordinance received a motion and second and passed first reading; further public outreach and education efforts were mentioned by council and staff as part of the next steps.

Why it matters: Council members said incidents of high-speed devices on sidewalks and in parks have raised safety concerns, particularly for elderly pedestrians and children. The measure is a regulatory and enforcement adjustment; it was passed on first reading and will return for final reading with possible additional adjustments.

Next steps: The ordinance will return for second reading. Council and staff signaled plans for broader enforcement and education work, including coordination with police and the prosecutor's office.","Mount Pleasant Council approved on first reading an amendment to local ordinances to address e-bike speeds and enforcement; the changes raise the sidewalk speed limit from 10 to 15 mph and clarify potential prosecution for operators under age 18.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6520193,"Council appoints members to boards, creates tree task force and directs town attorney after executive session",2602,246000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e&start=246&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e/thumbnail_246000.jpg","/articles/6520193/Mount-Pleasant/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-appoints-members-to-boards-creates-tree-task-force-and-directs-town-attorney-after-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520193-fbe3e9ebbe1ca9d483b193e48a5b036d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110410&Signature=KBwwYSouxdArQORT7vfFJwCct1qUVtGRmPG83DvkhY6I3~5bn-B7sc6T8bh4TES1VPXInhJypstH4~G90J59b2wCojwccj43rjb2zUQtJ4KAdP5-cXl4vIv853u0730kYlO46BEPRW-S57exlUOLfpKZTNXdhk7~RPiigmzHaFqAGCsacK0COVR9-own~8cmsyze9LMRoC4NuJye~USOnKG6CoLC5mtPAKs7u-q~3vFdUCu-tcO9Z1BCvlnFnEzPVkST3uJlZ4pjh4unpjufEOYqzjcHTIJlMbp2nM7tYNa~RIma2KlsFVpTkJv~QnsypB073qO4ZwPBaLm3QJ-pMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed executive session on legal and personnel matters during the July 8 meeting, Mount Pleasant Town Council reconvened and took multiple personnel actions and one direction to town counsel.

Council first moved to direct the town attorney \"to proceed as discussed in executive session\" on the legal and contractual matter listed on the agenda; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The executive-session agenda item listed litigation caption \"JamesnDeerlinejunior@allandcom versus commission of public works town of Mount Pleasant\" and other personnel matters related to board and commission appointments.

Council then confirmed multiple appointments that had been discussed in executive session. Appointees announced by motion or voice vote included:

- Sherwood Flowers: appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals (motion approved by voice vote).
- Christine Edwards: appointment to the Historic District Preservation Commission (motion approved by voice vote).
- Karen Smalls Horvak: appointment to the Cultural Arts and Pride Commission (motion approved by voice vote).
- Timothy Kiel (reappointment) and Daniel Cruz (appointment): Commercial Design Review Board (motion approved by voice vote).

Finally, council approved appointments to the newly established Tree Task Force by a recorded voice vote of seven in favor and one opposed. The mayor read the appointments: David Quick (seat 1); Michelle Mansour (seat 2); Shana Harris (seat 3); James McKee (seat 4); Edward Oswald (seat 5); Deirdre Kennedy (seat 6); and George Grice (seat 7). One council member stated on the record, \"Yes. I'm a no vote on this 1. It's not a reflection of of any 1 particular person, but I feel like we need a more balanced group, on the tree task force.\" The chair announced \"Motion carries by a vote of 7 to 1.\"

Why it matters: the new tree task force and the commission appointments place residents and stakeholders in formal advisory roles for planning and preservation issues. The recorded 7'01 vote indicates some council concern about balance on the tree panel.

Actions recorded

- Direction to town attorney to proceed as discussed in executive session (motion approved by voice vote).
- Appointments to multiple boards and commissions (approved by voice vote).
- Tree Task Force: seven appointments approved; motion carried 7 to 1.

Next steps: appointees will serve on their respective boards and task force per the town's appointment rules; staff will publish membership lists and any upcoming meeting schedules for the tree task force.","Following an executive session, Mount Pleasant Council voted to direct the town attorney as discussed in closed session, confirmed several board appointments and approved seven appointments to a newly established tree task force (motion carried 7'01).",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6520198,"Mount Pleasant council opposes Laurel Hill Parkway portion of Highway 41 improvements",3106,4720000,7826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e&start=4720&end=7826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334391-5738526d097f879f422ed05d032fab7e/thumbnail_4720000.jpg","/articles/6520198/Mount-Pleasant/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Mount-Pleasant-council-opposes-Laurel-Hill-Parkway-portion-of-Highway-41-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520198-14ea3cccb46ecbea285c1678886d5cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110410&Signature=MRtY49Q3MP9hz~nIIetOp86E7t6~MfLltcC9LLOXZ~WGIGhnTGZlo4soFbhYK-ySw2iUJ8O3KPg8ugqgNWiypmnCnjpNRlpWTiLN5DQdsxYpvBqB7R8fmKlbgE1qU8KNSJCNtW-o~8wzaxi~6XY342Iux8e89lVcZ1gbO4k7IrQa6vhgXDaoMQVIW0cjgCyJ7mu6U-12IPQAUPKoQ6a0rDxNs6qqkwUomfrnXGSbAJelAtIwY4YJYMYfs2JkRNhz493wtYlfca1ZXh76G3BcPBMgs9RZh3C-5BdlKW7cYn-N-4gMNqsG7i-bg7XPCt2FdTpZlF5HWgVLugM4zPMfEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Pleasant Town Council on July 8 adopted a resolution urging alternative Highway 41 corridor improvements that avoid impacts to Laurel Hill Park while expressing support for improvements to Highway 41 itself.

The council vote followed more than four hours of public comment, during which speakers from conservation organizations, historic-preservation groups, county officials and settlement-community residents debated whether the county'proposed Laurel Hill Parkway is necessary and whether it would cause undue environmental and cultural harm.

Supporters of the county compromise said the combined package of Highway 41 widening and the parkway is needed to reduce congestion and protect the Phillips settlement community from bearing the entire traffic burden. \"The parkway would only impact 12 acres of the entire 750 acres,\" said Tori Sanders, communities and transportation project manager for the Coastal Conservation League, adding that state infrastructure funding is tied to a complete, integrated solution. Sam Spence of the Preservation Society at Charleston urged council to \"support the compromise alternative and reject the resolution tonight,\" saying the package was the result of years of work and was intended to protect historic communities.

Speakers from the Phillips settlement community, local residents and environmental groups said the parkway would cut into publicly preserved green space and wetlands and unfairly squeeze the Phillips neighborhood. \"Unfortunately, I don't think those statements can be true in this context,\" said Emily Wyche, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, describing the tension between supporting Highway 41 improvements and opposing the parkway portion.

Council members described the resolution as an attempt to press the county for an alternative that avoids impacts to Laurel Hill Park while still addressing traffic safety and capacity on Highway 41. After debate about precise wording, the measure to \"express support for alternative Highway 41 corridor improvements to avoid Laurel Hill Park impacts\" carried. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting record; the mayor announced \"Resolution carries.\"

Why it matters: speakers repeatedly said the issue crosses municipal and county boundaries: traffic, wetlands and cultural preservation were raised as linked concerns, and proponents warned that state and county funding and approvals are tied to a complete engineering package. Opponents warned that abandoning the parkway would leave Phillips shouldering disproportionate traffic impacts.

What happened next: Council directed that the town continue discussions with Charleston County and its staff about alternative designs and coordination; several council members said they will pursue further committee review, including possible questions about municipal consent for tie-ins to town roads.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: \"Expressing support for alternative Highway 41 corridor improvements to avoid Laurel Hill Park impact.\" Motion to approve carried; vote recorded in meeting as \"Resolution carries.\" (First proposed at agenda item 10.a)

Discussion highlights

- Funding: speakers and staff quoted a state infrastructure bank allocation and county estimates; speakers warned that tied funding could be lost if parts of the integrated plan are removed.
- Environmental: opponents cited wetlands and forest impacts; proponents noted environmental reviews and stated the parkway was routed on the park's outer edge.
- Cultural/historic: the Phillips settlement community and the National Register designation were central in many comments; speakers differed on whether the compromise protects or further burdens Phillips.

Next steps: Council asked staff to keep lines of communication open with Charleston County and to bring further analysis to the transportation committee; several members suggested follow-up legal review about prior municipal-consent determinations.

","After more than two hours of public comment for and against, Mount Pleasant Town Council adopted a resolution urging alternatives to the county'proposed Laurel Hill Parkway and expressing support for Highway 41 improvements that avoid impacts to Laurel Hill Park.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mount Pleasant council approves franchise, grants and multiple planning items in July 8 meeting

Council approves first reading of e-bike rules; speed and enforcement changes included

Council appoints members to boards, creates tree task force and directs town attorney after executive session

Mount Pleasant council opposes Laurel Hill Parkway portion of Highway 41 improvements