[{"_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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",5988271,"mediaKeyId","5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2","parentId",5774691,"title","Council committee advances ordinance to ban shooting within 100 feet of occupied structures in unincorporated areas","audioSeconds",570,"startMs",179000,"endMs",749000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2&start=179&end=749","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2/thumbnail_179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5988271/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-committee-advances-ordinance-to-ban-shooting-within-100-feet-of-occupied-structures-in-unincorporated-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988271-355af6f87fb124d4d11e201bfe1e4e0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447465&Signature=MdZaqpTPi-ZJJjKHn7mrbfafSuqESbyMlmT5MfhaEg57Ix-AKirsbdo0FsvXMJJKJYXfj0ILL1O1K99g8KBTHV1Jw8hs7SAJ1lDzl0JVx5JL2O9dLg4lgdQN32DQwPRoe8LgvypAyI2Iz0DgZKLAxh~ukfyly4grAH46Vwh1GLlwwQTX3tmeS7kp9a~rRB63cMchrYyvDkFoe4-8LH0iaDX2Q~9fcYvIo~BGc0MF9Nj271cRQ0hElla8OW7GCQCGxLB5gsvfoeAIW-Mtit9qFgiuVMkP9GzWFhH4-tudGcjX76cAAxcF8t7tb0h6L44nWwbT977ma9TdCqGjEwsb5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CharlestonCountyGov","date","2025-09-12T00:00:00Z","article","Charleston County’s public safety committee voted to advance a proposed county ordinance that would prohibit discharging a firearm within 100 feet of an occupied house, school, church or similar structure in unincorporated areas unless the owner of the nearby structure gives permission. The committee voted, by voice, to move the measure to third reading for further consideration. The ordinance was presented to the committee by Edward Phipps, general counsel for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. He described the proposal as aimed at preventing reckless or careless gunfire in densely developed unincorporated areas while protecting lawful firearm ownership.

The measure, as explained in committee discussion, would apply countywide but is expected to primarily affect urbanized unincorporated neighborhoods where houses, day‑care centers and schools sit close together. \"This proposed Charleston County ordinance addresses a legitimate public safety concern in rapidly developing unincorporated areas,\" Edward Phipps said, noting the draft seeks to target \"generally reckless behavior rather than creating a burden‑shift mechanism that presumes guilt for lawful firearm activities on private property.\" The sheriff’s office emphasized the ordinance is intended to prevent accidental harm, not to restrict lawful ownership or use.

Councilmember Joe Boykin, a member of the public safety committee, described the rule in practical terms: \"This applies across all of Charleston County, and it basically disallows someone to discharge a firearm within 100 feet of an occupied house or school or church or other type building, without that person's permission.\" Committee members said the 100‑foot buffer replaced an earlier, longer distance in the draft and was viewed by several as a reasonable compromise that would not broadly criminalize lawful firearm use.

Other members raised enforcement and scope questions during the discussion. The committee clarified that the ordinance would require permission from the owner or occupant of the structure located within 100 feet; permission given only by one adjacent occupant would not authorize shooting if another occupant within that 100‑foot radius did not consent. Natalie Hamm of the county attorney’s office assisted with clarifications during the discussion.

Supporters said the proposal aligns county rules with municipal limits on discharging firearms and is aimed at reducing occurrences where people in unincorporated \"donut holes\" are subject to nearby target practice or careless fire. \"Within these urban areas, you've got schools and daycares and things like that. These kids are out playing on the playground and somebody's shooting a gun,\" Councilmember Moody said. Councilmember Ginny Costa Heinecutt thanked the sheriff’s office for input, saying enforcement capability is central to any regulation: \"A rule that we implement is only as good as its enforcement.\"

The committee did not adopt final ordinance language at the meeting; it advanced the draft to third reading so council can consider final edits and any additional enforcement guidance. Committee members and presenters repeatedly emphasized the draft’s stated purpose of addressing reckless or negligent discharges rather than lawful defensive or sporting uses of firearms. The ordinance will return to the council for a formal vote at/after third reading, at which time any amendments to definitions, buffer distances or enforcement procedures can be proposed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09/11/2025 - Charleston County Council","oneSentenceSummary","Charleston County’s public safety committee voted to advance a proposed county ordinance that would prohibit discharging a firearm within 100 feet of an occupied house, school, church or similar structure in unincorporated areas unless the owner of the nearby structure gives permission.","taxTitle","Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3700,"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},5988261,"Consultants present 20‑year transportation sales‑tax review; council creates standing committee for next phase",790,1190000,1980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2&start=1190&end=1980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","/articles/5988261/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Consultants-present-20year-transportation-salestax-review-council-creates-standing-committee-for-next-phase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988261-6a182e6506c52c03bb597175fc203e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447465&Signature=fk~ZP~lzCTI47ZJ3Jec6mdvaJopqxNeOE52PlgJeLzgLA8tDlCkTz8l0rFAzwlrkJlAfVuJOg0H-EnV~d6fE6hzjEdufynaxjjlb~Bb-1Q09pg3t5mXmdv7sMIK0wRRHbn~owD38MP5faEwaVWhKCt88ljKXVBmlL5RhX2e~s1TaFmavGw0ERmgsi-XKq2el1lUgof5Qh9mXB~mQz1sS46RPuvnkphVlif-xWBbcwWLVATvxNkSbFZgkUOXpQNMissay8a4pOA2CJjOJxRnFrtK7yFozfMjbgHBES65TqywRQdRwmvw2JH~dfaD5NLjkLEaH52IXe5FVorcL8H3p7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants hired by Charleston County presented a high‑level review of two voter‑approved transportation sales‑tax programs and recommended a transparent public‑engagement process to inform decisions about a possible next phase. The consultant team said the sales tax is on track to generate about $3.4 billion in dedicated local revenue and that matching state and federal funds have leveraged roughly $1.17 billion, producing about $4.56 billion in total infrastructure investment since 2004. Council received the report and the chair announced creation of a new transportation sales tax (TST) standing committee to shepherd community engagement and planning.

\"Over the past 20 years, Charleston County voters have twice approved the transportation sales tax, making historic investments in infrastructure improvements,\" said Peter Lamott, president of Chernoff Newman, in his presentation. Ryan Brown, vice president for public affairs with the firm, presented program totals and usage breakdowns: the consultants reported roughly 62% of program funding dedicated to transportation infrastructure (nearly 1,000 miles of road improvements, bike lanes, pedestrian pathways and major intersection upgrades), 25% to public transit (including support for CARTA and rapid transit) and 13% to greenbelt and land preservation programs. Brown told council the program has supported 66 million passenger trips and a 226% increase in service miles for public transit since the early 2000s.

The consultants urged a transparent, community‑engaged process to evaluate \"current and future needs, and the available resources and challenges\" and presented a public hub at charlestontransportation.com for more detail. \"We believe that this process must be transparent and must ensure ample community input and engagement and clear communications of facts and choices,\" Lamott said.

Following the presentation, the council chair directed the consultants to continue community engagement and announced the establishment of a TST standing committee composed of council members; the committee’s first meeting was scheduled for Sept. 25, 2025. The chair said former South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall will guide the initial discussion of investment priorities at that meeting.

Council members signaled support for public outreach and for using the report as a foundation for future deliberations; the chair said the standing committee will ensure the program is handled publicly and with accountability. The report and online hub will be used in upcoming public meetings, outreach to municipalities, and county communications.

The presentation was informational; no binding commitment to a tax extension or new referendum was made at the meeting. The standing committee will meet publicly and return recommendations to the full council as the process proceeds.","Consultants told Charleston County Council that two voter‑approved transportation sales taxes have produced roughly $3.4 billion in local revenue and, with state and federal matches, about $4.56 billion in infrastructure investment since 2004; council created a standing committee to guide public engagement for the next phase.",{"_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},5988266,"Council rejects two map amendments and directs staff to add infrastructure review to rezoning criteria",284,796000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2&start=796&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2/thumbnail_796000.jpg","/articles/5988266/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-rejects-two-map-amendments-and-directs-staff-to-add-infrastructure-review-to-rezoning-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988266-e9bfa2dfef8aed919564bcbfe20f35de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447465&Signature=nB1Lx43oK2nRsZw7KNxw1fgO81aVwnhgfUWHuhhJtW-Z3OpT8HiOBoZ~PbFCaWh56pqy7RbGi6GXMXgrMSt1fDFgpwat2VQxpK0MEW2j-9O0tXKRvsrBE3QcmSRVJafHa2ndkAh-DDVcZ-YSKdPgbBi4qc48cknoTF32CNkSCDJpbiHcWm43JAsq8TQ3UiQy-Xk-VsnMbmGz9dfGPAx0es1y6WDFJ8oiQnVyaxLHcMeFaSIG~5hGsEoCAV~brt0spD7dsW8X1FErSTFYRG~stPrgK8YJuUlEtHtJ96YEHjiMs0RDrygd9hi86n52rZjxbZyouV--LIpqEO8ucEV8tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County Council’s planning and public works committee, where all council members participate, disapproved two separate property rezoning or text amendment requests and unanimously directed staff to revise the zoning and land‑development regulations (ZLDR) and comprehensive‑plan approval criteria to permit consideration of infrastructure capacity and public‑safety impacts when evaluating future rezonings.

At the committee meeting, members voted to disapprove a comprehensive plan amendment request for ACP‑06‑25001 (25 Slain Cash Road) and later voted to disapprove ZLDR item 62500134 (Cairns / [Cairns] Road). Following the first disapproval, Councilmember Joe Boykin moved — and Councilmember Moody seconded — a separate motion instructing staff to amend the ZLDR and comp‑plan approval criteria so staff may consider drainage, roads, intersections, stormwater and related infrastructure when making recommendations on rezonings, planned developments and ZLDR amendments. \"I'd like to make a motion to direct staff to amend the ZLDR to address infrastructure in the approval criteria for rezonings, planned developments, ZLDR amendments and comprehensive plan amendments,\" Boykin said; the motion passed by voice vote.

Proponents of the directive said the change is meant to give staff the ability to evaluate applications more holistically instead of relying solely on location inside the urban growth boundary. One councilmember noted that when the comprehensive plan and ZLDR were written they treated conditions as static while current realities — such as congested intersections on Johns Island — have changed. \"This isn't a forever thing. If we get the infrastructure in place and we can support it, then they could come back in future time,\" a councilmember said, urging staff to consider current traffic and capacity when making recommendations.

Supporters also suggested involving the sheriff’s department in traffic and safety evaluations, for instance when signalization or other traffic controls may be necessary. Committee members emphasized the motion does not change a property owner’s by‑right development entitlements: developers may still pursue what is properly zoned today even after the approval‑criteria change.

The two disapprovals were voice votes recorded in committee minutes. The directive to amend the ZLDR passed unanimously and was framed as a policy‑stage change to give staff additional review authority; staff will return with draft language and implementation details.

Council did not adopt final ZLDR text at the meeting; the action was a direction to staff to draft amendments that would permit infrastructure, drainage, traffic, stormwater and public‑safety considerations to factor into future recommendations on land‑use changes.","Charleston County’s planning and public works committee disapproved two map/zoning amendment requests and unanimously directed staff to amend the zoning and land‑development regulations and approval criteria so infrastructure and public‑safety impacts can be considered in future rezoning decisions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5988257,"Council approves one‑time payments for part‑time and temporary county employees",0,2030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2&start=2030&end=2030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774691-1d87ea020a22298185ac105ce4578ab2/thumbnail_2030000.jpg","/articles/5988257/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-onetime-payments-for-parttime-and-temporary-county-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988257-c57bac38512464b425ad363470cc4a36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447465&Signature=apABWeaGzcX-2EnkLoU53hJ8wCPkEfhOWDELZC9MihxPzPJ7XS7dVb1i1q5YGrVOK-SoW4QAn~OsIBxYvsF22gzSb0zOGYsmqZQlSbqBF3hfyHSedDHMOjsmYQuUg6GzvuEGmg6J7BekWAmQee8wZUkJF62XGAw44c~lek4fuR46B4T4J8dc-TkgQf8vJ4-BpmSWgYBHstrvwEd2gBr5DHoook~HnqRGHEV-AadVSfSULVGf7XOT412YzKlBhBwqjy8d658p7hLF4m-mG906JxXJvMldpuLjyNrJh1mno-2Nt1R-MFkgaA12BY6x4wMQJG8114SwLdiymNWhIcUDaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County Council approved one‑time payments to part‑time and temporary employees who were employed for all of fiscal year 2025, setting the award at half of the full‑time employee payment that had been issued earlier. The motion passed by voice vote after council discussed eligibility, counts and the potential budget impact; members agreed to provide up to $25,000 from council contingency if needed to cover shortfalls.

County staff explained eligibility would mirror the period used for full‑time employees: part‑time and temporary workers employed throughout fiscal year 2025 and still employed at the time of payment would receive half of the full‑time bonus. \"If they were employed for all of fiscal year 25 and they are still currently employed, they're eligible for half of what the full time employees received,\" a county staff member said during the meeting.

Council and staff discussed the number of eligible employees and the cost. Staff provided an approximate eligible count and a total estimated cost; the figures discussed in the meeting were roughly 124 employees in this category and an estimated cost of about $124,000 before payroll taxes and employer contributions. Council agreed to use previously identified savings from full‑time bonus budget lines and to authorize up to $25,000 from council contingency to cover any remaining shortfall.

Members asked for greater specificity about definitions of part‑time and temporary status and for a final headcount prior to payout; staff committed to providing final numbers at the next meeting. One councilmember urged the decision as a retention measure to avoid turnover costs associated with recruiting and training replacements. The motion excluded elected officials and council members and did not change terms for contracted security staff; a councilmember noted the county’s security is contracted and that adjustments there are covered by the contract renewal process.

The council approved the payments by voice vote and instructed staff to return with final counts and exact cost figures.","Charleston County Council approved one‑time payments for part‑time and temporary employees who were employed through fiscal year 2025, set at half the amount full‑time employees received; council also authorized up to $25,000 from contingency to cover any shortfall and discussed counts and payroll costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council committee advances ordinance to ban shooting within 100 feet of occupied structures in unincorporated areas

Consultants present 20‑year transportation sales‑tax review; council creates standing committee for next phase

Council rejects two map amendments and directs staff to add infrastructure review to rezoning criteria

Council approves one‑time payments for part‑time and temporary county employees