[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6588035,"mediaKeyId","5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2","parentId",5487908,"title","Residents urge alternative route for Bono Beach emergency access, cite flooding and safety concerns","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",3725000,"endMs",3862000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2&start=3725&end=3862","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2/thumbnail_3725000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588035/Berkeley-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-alternative-route-for-Bono-Beach-emergency-access-cite-flooding-and-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588035-b2adfe4a35d772d1f1b669931c3c50f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104990&Signature=O-COx4-RhslOpOkHKdKc0BGXlRq3dyyfkaIKFXmLcDALtkY5Qzzrd7uwqNVJfPtn2OVLYUfZlM4xQfFSMRjgy1DRrLzKWWVhNWInNNMbgmTEVL~p9RNBuEB9jBAKFUqgX2X3nm73goi~zm1YZgfEnvjRtoUvSd~ulZu0yvKTVka0jW0FWw-jUm~qqEtMsXXxwovd64X88UxSKJki8Y0CWIBoO4l2KsYu5qB8u2ylbfOXM~6P-zbc-~uEXiK-8JWkLWPOIxzSXRRch-r680N56P~XQy~7fvbM~chn9PelUt-wSWtHvMVrCWhWDRhLO-zhE0s12iElj1mD1ndIFGI89Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berkeley County SC Government","date","2025-07-28T21:34:21Z","article","Residents from Bono Beach and nearby neighborhoods urged Berkeley County officials to reconsider a proposed emergency access route and related paving plans, arguing that the county’s planned alignment would use low-lying roads that flood and that an alternative along an existing Santee Cooper power-line corridor would be more reliable.

Tom Dennis told council he owns property that could be affected by a road proposal and said he was not contacted about what he had been told was a preapproved paving project. He asked the council to examine an alternate alignment that would follow a Santee Cooper transmission corridor and connect to Mandela Road, which he said would avoid routing traffic through Pusheen Plantation and Lightning Road.

Rick Dennis said Lightning Road and other low-lying connectors flooded during a prior storm event—he said his area was inaccessible for three days during a historic flood—and he argued the proposed roadway alignment would not function as an emergency egress when water levels are high. He said an alignment near the power line would be less likely to go underwater.

Council members acknowledged the comments and said they would take residents’ concerns under advisement. No committee motion or vote on a paving plan was recorded during the public-comment period; Tom Dennis said he had been told by a law office that a segment from Highway 35 (Mandela Road) to Lightning Road had been preapproved for paving, a claim recorded as his statement in the transcript but not corroborated by documentary evidence at the meeting.

Next steps: Residents were told council would consider the input, and a staff- or committee-level review of proposed paving alignments would be the appropriate venue for detailed engineering and permitting determinations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Berkeley County Council Meeting - 07/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers told county council that proposed emergency access routes to Bono Beach would be vulnerable to flooding and suggested using a route along a Santee Cooper power line to avoid low-lying roads, urging the county to reconsider preapproved paving plans that affect private property.","taxTitle","Berkeley County, South Carolina","taxId",19112,"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},6588040,"Neighbors oppose proposed rezoning near Carnes Crossroads; bill moves forward on first reading",211,4042000,4253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2&start=4042&end=4253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2/thumbnail_4042000.jpg","/articles/6588040/Berkeley-County/South-Carolina/Neighbors-oppose-proposed-rezoning-near-Carnes-Crossroads-bill-moves-forward-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588040-c2660f843fbc364b4b3a1d6d1315d9c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104990&Signature=P8akxU9Srf1EF4rus4BqRC8ahKf2YNPzsn3ZH1LvusCGa6h8TVjgZ1PTg6xIxIzfdfC4dvf8ROSp5KBJ2y7obt30HqzewMUEZdn9RBIAEFJswrbKD1MSM5Zz3LEK~VfPPk4I4IRkL0lgZz~DMMiOHWX3Qm575iqsEBjpw5y6~-LUAaHMi8E1FMU52uGjNBQ69QpbXho3pTutDRM6UcbQ4GfaDqnbAvcRi0eZxKKRyBx81Odb-gudwK8OmGgj9WGXyhSVvN8~3YZKuxg7p8rONWws6doQRUpWkv1G2UMxsn6prz~FGChvXe5UpgH9S-oXAL3kv4gzYKwGheiqKbJetA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents addressed county council during public comment to oppose a proposed rezoning application related to property owned by LaRocca Masonry LLC, which is listed on the agenda as a first-reading zoning bill (Bill 25-43).

Deanna Renee Holcomb, who said she owns property adjacent to the site identified in the application, told the council she plans to build a home near the parcel and described the applicant’s current site work as unsettling. Holcomb said the applicant had excavated and dug a pond and that she was concerned a planned metal building with a gravel parking lot would be out of character with the neighborhood. She asked the council to consider the area’s existing residential character, nearby traffic patterns and the presence of a family cemetery.

Manila Dobbs, who said she lives on Memory Lane and was born on the family parcel near the proposed site, said many neighbors object and the community previously asked the county in 1997 to limit further commercial encroachment in that corridor. Dobbs noted the new Berkeley (Roper) hospital is nearby and asked that further commercial rezoning into interior residential areas be resisted.

Council members and staff clarified that the bill under discussion that evening was for first reading only; Councilman Philip Ovi reminded the audience that first reading is by title and that substantive votes (second reading) will occur later after committee review. Because this was a first-reading item, the council did not vote on the zoning request that night.

Residents asked that the council and planning staff consider setbacks, truck access and the visual impact of a metal building behind the existing neighborhood. Holcomb said she had heard the applicant undertook excavation without permits; the transcript records that claim as a speaker statement and does not include documentary evidence provided to council at the meeting.

Next steps: Bill 25-43 was read into the record by title and referred to the appropriate committee for further consideration and eventual second-reading vote.","Residents near Carnes Crossroads spoke against a proposed rezoning for a masonry business, citing concerns about noise, trucks, aesthetics and proximity to a family cemetery. The council treated the measure as first reading by title only; further committee review will follow.",{"_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},6588045,"New operators report overcrowding, spay/neuter surge and transport plans at Berkeley County animal center",196,2650000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2&start=2650&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2/thumbnail_2650000.jpg","/articles/6588045/Berkeley-County/South-Carolina/New-operators-report-overcrowding-spayneuter-surge-and-transport-plans-at-Berkeley-County-animal-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588045-f16973c486fa00576f926459595fa488/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104990&Signature=FF77cSWQPWNz-LQNGqo7FW-GRNlLxb~1lw78h8zPFlSEjMxAO4l4P9nxEOisQev4FeP3zxMmGIjjvyfOTx-qOZQj7JHhXrKMzuaaDboeBZPLcfjSDFj8pq-AWf-zpQlNl9DKi1zj39q7TrNmfHrnt-rSEynSpOaaPiDa9poR3sfGkp4p3rhjZo3f-E4hLCSsLt2YaLHLINEmAs6lLnKDmcwVR5YMBcYnNmqRQaiR7W7gBxkpOM~oFSWMxWeM-F7ACuwwxZHVHtkECjhwm7iElTsUHG87WNaRe2d1XuLiLdZA0KxEbqFNIttG3URbegfUh6ONkOxsCcLIwDbPEOk8Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives for the nonprofit that has assumed operations at the Berkeley County animal center gave the council an informal update, saying the organization has been operating the facility for about five weeks and is working through intake surges, staffing transitions and a high summer load.

Joe Elmore, speaking at the county finance committee meeting, said the nonprofit (identified in the transcript as the animal society) inherited a caseload of 639 animals on July 1 and, as of his report, had 659 animals in care. He said 16 of 20 employees joined the new staff, a large recent cruelty seizure involving 35 hounds had been vetted and custody awarded to the shelter, and a “mega” spay/neuter day performed more than 100 procedures on July 10.

Elmore said the organization purchased a transport van with auxiliary air conditioning and partitions at a cost of about $60,000 to increase transport capacity, and that the county will operate a spay/neuter clinic full time as staffing allows. He also announced the shelter launched an adoption campaign called “Stronger Together,” sponsored by HEELS Pet Nutrition and Live 5 News, and said the shelter will begin issuing a Berkeley Bark newsletter to update the public on operations.

Elmore provided operational figures drawn from the shelter’s intake and care logs: ACO (animal control officer) intake was reported as 185, citizen intakes 158, adoptions 129, fosters-to-adopt 101, honor reunifications 22, spays/neuters 342, euthanasias 102 and 63 dogs started on heartworm treatment during the month. He said 16 of the county shelter’s 20 employees had completed HR and benefits enrollment and joined the nonprofit staff.

Council members asked about the shelter’s limited moratorium on intake. Elmore said the limited moratorium would be lifted the following day, called “limited” because it was intended to manage flow rather than a complete intake stop, and asked council and public-safety partners to help educate residents about alternatives when they find loose animals.

Pearl Sutton, identified in the transcript as having taken an operational leadership role and described by Elmore as the shelter’s chief lifesaving officer, was present and Elmore credited her and other staff for improving procedures and assessments. Abigail Appleton was mentioned as No Kill South Carolina project director; Elmore acknowledged her assistance.

Elmore invited council members to visit adoption events and described plans to open adoptions seven days a week as staffing allows. He also said frontline staff were being enrolled in an eight-week online animal behavior certification course to expand behavioral-assessment capacity.

Councilwoman Amy Stern asked how the public could help during the moratorium and whether animal-control officers were turning animals loose; council members and staff urged neighbors to search nearby blocks for lost pets and to work with local law enforcement and the shelter, noting many lost animals remain close to home. Elmore offered staff contact information for law-enforcement partners if problems arise.

No formal council action was taken during the update; Elmore said a formalized monthly report would follow after month-end close-out.","The nonprofit assuming operations of Berkeley County’s animal shelter reported staffing transitions, a recent large cruelty seizure, a mega spay/neuter day, a transport van purchase and that a limited intake moratorium will lift the next day.",{"_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},6588051,"Berkeley County Council approves grants, Volvo agreement update and multiple contracts; reads water-loan ordinance",128,3338000,3466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2&start=3338&end=3466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487908-d2037619c6a6d474bf0413e241dc7bb2/thumbnail_3338000.jpg","/articles/6588051/Berkeley-County/South-Carolina/Berkeley-County-Council-approves-grants-Volvo-agreement-update-and-multiple-contracts-reads-water-loan-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588051-7654d942f5e6a2c6969ed513e9fd566e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104990&Signature=d~zVRwxR~viGYB5DR~hm9RAtcPtqwZ7TGwSPhb-5UWwfNfDKibu0Lvez6m10a1imVCPl8DDAlMCoTOGYABgdqQmRe0wdP61~1lhjg9SyG8IYMXyJFqBggZPIgqhYMHpMa5ynbsCuwYauvsxZPub9mOLNHnzBbHgyRPwsyHHGpfFJ2Sbi9QQZ-gD~UaYKdCnGkn--QXPoASTVcHC8eXRE9r4urc5GlE~NIMvHdIBbAoml8oQdwLIxdUtcOpTkHMMgX88Jbfu0kyrGDTTi9ZFTzXGxBe41zdLRfoKsDO33xb8~s0gVfl2yD4hmRFFTeUIfWrMQQPjmPDg4t2hdBYvZOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berkeley County Council on Monday approved a package of grants, contract awards and budget/financing items, including a $10 million Camp Hall infrastructure grant, an amendment to the Volvo memorandum of agreement increasing its local commitment to $700,000,000 and 3,000 jobs, and acceptance of several state grant awards for solid-waste, waste-tire and used-oil programs.

The council’s finance and standing committees presented items earlier in the evening and the full council voted to accept grants and authorize contracts. The actions included accepting a $500,000 EPA Brownfields assessment grant, approving a Tri Solutions contract to coat three sections of the county’s new jail floor, and approving a change order to add a right-turn lane on U.S. 176 Phase 1.

Together, the adopted measures provide funding for county environmental programs, recognize a major private employer’s revised investment and book a series of mostly noncontroversial operational contracts. Council members said the Volvo amendment provides stability for a local manufacturing plant, while committee chairs noted that many of the grants carry no required local match.

Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as “motion carries” in the minutes; no roll-call tallies were read into the public record for these items. The council also read several bills into the record by title only for referral to committees, including an ordinance authorizing borrowing from the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund not to exceed $25,000,000 (Bill 25-46). Council members emphasized that many first-reading items will return for committee review and later votes.

Key actions at a glance

- Camp Hall Industrial Corridor (Camp Hall Infrastructure Fund grant): acceptance of a $10,000,000 grant (motion passed by voice vote).

- Amendment to Volvo memorandum of agreement: approved amendment adjusting Volvo’s commitment to approximately $700,000,000 and a target of about 3,000 jobs (motion passed by voice vote). County staff described the change as repurposing an existing production line for the XC60 model with associated investment.

- Fiscal-year grants accepted (motions passed by voice votes): solid-waste grant ($15,750; no match required), waste-tire grant ($220,722; no match required), used-oil grant ($28,569; no match required), and EPA Brownfields grant ($500,000; no match required).

- CDBG allocations: committee reported awarding funding to 27 nonprofits that met HUD requirements in a total amount reported as $1,011,268 (committee report presented to council; motion to accept passed by voice vote).

- Tri Solutions contract (IFB 331013-01-25/26): authorized contract award of $204,770.51 to apply industrial-strength floor coatings in three sections of the new jail (motion passed by voice vote).

- US 176 Phase 1 change order No. 9: approved addition of a right-turn lane into a private development near Marshall Acres; the developer paid design and construction fees and the change order extends the completion date for that turn lane by 24 days while leaving mainline substantial completion at Nov. 14 (motion passed by voice vote). The committee later recorded the change order cost as $14,566.96 for the added right-turn-lane work.

- Fee discretionary allocation: approved up to $20,000 to iPlay Learning Center for a back-to-school event (motion passed by voice vote).

- Loan/financing ordinance (Bill 25-46): read by title for first/second reading (ordinance authorizes borrowing not to exceed $25,000,000 from the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund pursuant to Title 48, Chapter 5, Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976). Council voted to move the ordinance forward; further committee review and final adoption steps remain.

Procedural notes and next steps

Several items were advanced by title only and will return to committees for further consideration. Councilman Philip Ovi reminded speakers that many bills on first reading are not voted on for substance at this meeting and that second-reading votes will come later. Council members recorded motions and voice votes for the items above; the public minutes do not list roll-call tallies for these approvals.

The council announced its next regular meeting will be Monday, Aug. 25, following public hearings and committee meetings.","County council approved multiple grant acceptances and contracts, amended a Volvo memorandum of agreement to reflect a $700 million commitment and 3,000 jobs, and approved project change orders and local infrastructure allocations. Several zoning items were advanced by title only.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge alternative route for Bono Beach emergency access, cite flooding and safety concerns

Neighbors oppose proposed rezoning near Carnes Crossroads; bill moves forward on first reading

New operators report overcrowding, spay/neuter surge and transport plans at Berkeley County animal center

Berkeley County Council approves grants, Volvo agreement update and multiple contracts; reads water-loan ordinance