[{"_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",6550998,"mediaKeyId","5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e","parentId",5361779,"title","Council passes multiple ordinances, approves Motorola public-safety upgrade; annexation of 4.7 acres approved","audioSeconds",2834,"startMs",8752000,"endMs",11586000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e&start=8752&end=11586","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e/thumbnail_8752000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550998/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Council-passes-multiple-ordinances-approves-Motorola-public-safety-upgrade-annexation-of-47-acres-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550998-c438e2612cd7b6b34633ef760b316bdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192906&Signature=IRDZ81HsjT55KVEbckH6vStGpBesoNSVnk~ocpcsNFTu6kWSkLuT6CgsWe0SQriafLf1qDmijC6r7kn4YqKHUUuj87dLDb5gvBvl4zzSE660qNvnQD61MnNgzwWVrXAQ53JcuRwyY5WRqMbv3rkT5kMf51iDw3XNiNboLIKYKu7M-A~L4UKN6-jvLR-WRDqaY-nRfelZ28pAUWbClnAnfu25FKyJgV-OiwXdz1MvCGSOEb2FeufuSHMI2m1GnxZ2o8MHN9uKtbx5Ovak5WcVoh1IgexBBgUHSIxFHLD5342Yx~UH7Bnfj0WwP4nP9gtYURBe5UNaqSn3w4Crc2LCow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Summerville","date","2025-07-10T21:31:24Z","article","The Summerville Town Council approved several ordinances on second and final reading, adopted a resolution to retain public-finance professionals for a proposed new public safety facility, and authorized an upgrade to police and fire public-safety software and hardware supplied by Motorola.

Key votes at the July 10 meeting:

- Annexation and rezoning approved: Council approved second and final reading of an ordinance to annex and rezone TMS 1520000227 (Baconsbridge Road and Crestwood Drive), approximately 4.7 acres, from R-2 (Dorchester County) to MFR (multifamily residential) in the Town of Summerville. Council members voted to approve second reading and the motion passed.

- UDO and zoning amendments: Council approved a sequence of ordinance adoptions and corrections, including an ordinance correcting a TMS number in a prior ordinance, amendments to the town\u000fs unified development ordinance addressing encampments on public property, revisions to subdivision and infrastructure standards (drainage easements, required improvements and warranty liability period), and several zoning map amendments (for 1120 Central Ave, 122 Pebbles Lane and other parcels). Each ordinance received the required second and final reading and passed.

- Administrative and boards changes: Council adopted an ordinance to create a Cultural Arts Commission and adopted amendments to Chapter 13 of the UDO (administration and procedures) intended to streamline business-facing review processes.

- Public finance resolution: Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to retain bond counsel, underwriters and related public-finance professionals to study financing options for a proposed new public safety facility. The resolution authorizes staff to seek options but does not itself issue bonds.

- Motorola public-safety system upgrade: Council approved funding to upgrade the emergency communications center\u000fs records-management, dispatch and related systems with a Motorola suite that the town said will replace software and hardware that has not been refreshed for decades. The proposed contract includes modules for command/records, evidence management and a drone-first-responder package; council discussion noted the cost would be covered in part by 9-1-1 funding streams and reimbursable hardware costs.

Procedure and next steps: Several items approved on second and final reading are now ordinances of the town. The Motorola procurement will proceed to implementation through public-safety and finance staff; the annexed 4.7-acre property is now within town limits and zoned MFR. Items that passed first reading earlier in the meeting (notably the 500 North Main historic-district removal and a rezoning at 401 South Magnolia) will return for later consideration after required reviews.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting Thursday July 10, 2025 @6PM","oneSentenceSummary","At its July meeting council adopted a set of ordinances on second and final reading, authorized public-finance advisors for a new public safety facility, approved a Motorola public-safety system upgrade, and approved annexation and rezoning for a 4.7-acre parcel at Baconsbridge and Crestwood.","taxTitle","Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina","taxId",4554,"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},6551003,"Neighbors pack council chamber to oppose proposed multifamily development at Newington entrance; council offers developer chance to address safety and traffic",4383,4301000,8684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e&start=4301&end=8684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","/articles/6551003/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Neighbors-pack-council-chamber-to-oppose-proposed-multifamily-development-at-Newington-entrance-council-offers-developer-chance-to-address-safety-and-traffic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551003-791cc72c46479863892b07adc0dc7433/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192906&Signature=oQ6ZEF8q16g2S3LkXAJIcIaQOTeEx69sICnJEzGeVuKasdU~lgdPJo2XK~d87~yo-X-LhmXa4BDT7~qwNg9mkwHA~rEdegJ2txDFZod9fF~syW4diAfLho3tmXaF9qy4E~FE2xsJQB75U7MaLwjFzbo-GNs3f4g92I5R7gsQjv8eNo-xnHR5I07lBCnnGFLMoOz~i6lqGzclQcyTirTaoiLab7ipDAgKvAiLzt7moG2QDiPQamp77LDyHCBxTOjBd9nuujgLWmmFfV4OFwevKDv-lC7gLlGi8wP3vdj~0i7db6OwURvj5YkMeOQdj0ZdXmAsl7gimpnSbFqhBw0FPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors, school officials and neighborhood leaders urged the Town Council on July 10 to reject an annexation and rezoning that would allow a large multifamily project at the King Charles/Lewton Drive entrance to Newington Plantation.

Why it matters: The parcel sits directly across from two elementary schools and residents warned that hundreds of additional daily vehicle trips would exacerbate existing congestion, endanger children walking or biking and strain school-bus operations. The proposal has become a flashpoint for debates about growth, neighborhood character and where higher-density housing should be sited in Summerville.

Residents and civic leaders described repeated traffic incidents at the intersection and said school drop-off and pick-up already create daily gridlock. Chad Daugherty, superintendent of Dorchester District Two Schools, told the council the corridor already serves about 1,500 students, 26 buses and that nearly 8% of pupils walk or bike, and asked for traffic impact studies and specific safety commitments for students. Several speakers described serious crashes and two past fatalities in the corridor.

Opponents included homeowners, HOA leaders and the Newington Swim Team coach. Larry Collette, HOA president, described the proposed apartments as incompatible with Newington\u000fs single-family design and warned of safety risks to children. Multiple speakers cited the town\u000fs comprehensive plan, which they said directs multifamily development to downtown and certain corridors rather than interior single-family neighborhoods.

The developer and representatives pushed back on some claims and said the project would go through DOT traffic review, include required road improvements if warranted and provide impact fees and parkland donations. Andy Smith and Jamie Williams, representing the developer, said the 11-acre portion the council was asked to annex was part of a larger concept and that DOT would determine needed turning lanes or signals. They said roughly 8.17 acres would be developed, not 13, and that they planned to donate roughly 23-25 acres to the town for parks and greenway connections and to pay required school impact fees.

Council reaction was mixed. Several council members acknowledged the strength of neighborhood opposition and traffic-safety concerns and said they would not support the project as currently presented. Others said they would consider allowing a first reading so the developer could return with a plan that directly addresses school safety, traffic mitigation and buffering. Council members repeatedly invited the developer to meet with neighbors and the school district and to bring a revised concept or a development agreement that commits to specific safety and infrastructure improvements.

No final rezoning or annexation vote was recorded at the meeting on this item. Council members encouraged additional community engagement, a thorough traffic analysis and more specific commitments if the developer wants the council to favor annexation and multifamily zoning.","A proposed annexation and rezoning for an 11-acre, 180-unit apartment project at Lewton Drive and King Charles Circle in Newington drew intense opposition from residents and schools, who cited traffic, school safety and flooding concerns. Councilors asked the developer to return with mitigation measures rather than immediately deny the petition.",{"_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},6551008,"Summerville council approves first reading to remove 500 North Main from historic district after heated public debate",7890,2326000,10216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e&start=2326&end=10216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361779-ea67a7ddc1b138714dd096b417b7741e/thumbnail_2326000.jpg","/articles/6551008/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Summerville-council-approves-first-reading-to-remove-500-North-Main-from-historic-district-after-heated-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551008-033a2884e49315412b05ab609abc5f44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192906&Signature=GCufAvQPYOIQdK4yBn-Kco4ctkn8smb6gNHKg9i6~bFaZMpDeLgjjdKhWVIaM9s5hE8eRAGKK~4QR4JmypPRBZ0GjNtP6ga~kEtnZupEWBs6B7KG19hXdXq6dAdTDvEzM4I578xXwtbIifii-EazGc~y9SGbxqwDrCfwZr48QnEEiYocgu3IplOGuTF3LpCiKpoOg7u8DnG1NFIbAkIQPu-GF-xHYpcRvM-6HNUeui51swDOPLJm61AhBbeBMJ9~kQkLOzjySTTT97FIb2G2-cfOtximNl1LkUtBcoirHcTR36lPYzAf54d5glidNTAXmhw~z3~jEFQQ2TU7qD7gTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Summerville Town Council approved first reading of an ordinance to remove 500 North Main Street from the town\u000fs historic district, setting the proposal for further review by the planning commission in August and likely a second reading later this year.

The measure drew more than an hour of public comment on both sides. Preservation advocates said removal would weaken the Board of Architectural Review\u000fs authority and risk demolition of a WPA-era hospital building; developers and the Greater Summerville Chamber urged redevelopment to create public green space, retail and a boutique hotel that they say will expand the tax base.

Why it matters: The 500 North Main property sits at a gateway to downtown Summerville. Supporters framed redevelopment as an economic opportunity that could fund streetscape and school funding priorities; opponents called for keeping the property inside the historic district to preserve the building and green space and to uphold the citizen-appointed BAR\u000fs prior recommendation.

The council conversation and public record show several substantive changes to the development plan before first reading. Representatives for the developer and Dorchester County described new commitments including a preservation covenant for the two-story portion and south wing of the hospital facade, removal of previously proposed multi-family units and replacement of that program with a roughly 100-key boutique hotel, nine brownstones and additional retail and green space. Developer representatives said the current plan would preserve about 0.8 acres of publicly owned parkland as a permanent bookend to Hutchinson Square.

Opponents included long-time local preservationists and residents who testified that the hospital is an irreplaceable piece of Somerville\u000fs history and that design review by the BAR should remain the controlling review process. Harold Hudson, president of the Somerville Preservation Society, said the building is \"the only piece of green space between I-26 and Hutchison Square\" and that demolition would be \"tantamount to demolition of most or possibly all\" of the structure. The Preservation Society and BAR had expressed unanimous opposition to removing the property from the historic district.

Developer and business voices countered that the plan has been revised responsively after community input. Robert Poppleton, speaking for Furman Company, said the firm removed 160 multifamily units from the original concept, added green space and a declaration of restrictive covenants for the historic hospital sections. Jason Ward, who spoke on behalf of the development team, described the changes as the result of weeks of public engagement and said the plan now emphasizes connectivity to Hutchinson Square, additional retail and a boutique hotel in place of high-density apartments.

The council heard survey results and commentary from the Greater Summerville Chamber and other business leaders who said doing nothing was not an option and that a sensitive redevelopment could produce additional funding for Dorchester School District Two and for downtown improvements. Michael Wood, identified as the immediate past chairman of the Greater Somerville Chamber Board, told the council the project could \"provide an additional $8,000,000 in funding to DD2 schools to supplement $2,000,000 from the TIF,\" as reflected in materials he discussed at the meeting.

Council members debating the item repeatedly framed the vote as a search for compromise between preservation and redevelopment. Several said the developer had made meaningful concessions and that the county\u000fs preservation easement and the developer\u000fs restrictive covenants preserved key historic elements; others said the BAR\u000fs prior opposition merited caution. After discussion, the council approved first reading. The mayor said the item will go before the planning commission in August and return to council for a second reading in the fall timeline depending on planning commission action.

The project will still face the town\u000fs Commercial Design Review Board and any other applicable state or county approvals. Council members and several public speakers urged continued public input through those hearings.","Town council approved first reading to remove 500 North Main Street from Summerville's historic district. The move followed weeks of plan changes from the developer and a large public turnout, with preservationists urging protection and business and county supporters backing redevelopment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council passes multiple ordinances, approves Motorola public-safety upgrade; annexation of 4.7 acres approved

Neighbors pack council chamber to oppose proposed multifamily development at Newington entrance; council offers developer chance to address safety and traffic

Summerville council approves first reading to remove 500 North Main from historic district after heated public debate