Goose Creek council approves annexation, speed humps and several capital contracts

The Goose Creek City Council voted to annex a half-acre parcel on Saint James Avenue, approve vertical construction change orders and emergency repairs, authorize speed-hump installation on Lucy Drive and appoint a business-license appeals designee during its regular meeting.

The council approved an ordinance to annex the parcel identified as TMS 2231303038 from Berkeley County into the city with general commercial zoning. Architect Kevin Wally, representing the property owner, said the annexation request is driven by a need for city water. “We need city water. So as a result, that is why we're here tonight to request this annexation,” Wally said. Council moved and carried the annexation after public comment and a brief discussion about how city site-plan buffers compare to county requirements.

Council also approved a resolution appointing a designee to hear business-license appeals. The resolution names the assistant city administrator as the city’s designee for business-license appeal hearings; the council approved that appointment on a voice vote after the staff explanation of the appeals process.

On traffic-calming, staff requested approval to install speed humps on Lucy Drive after a resident asked for the change during public comment. City staff reported the installation meets the city’s criteria and estimated the vertical-construction cost at $29,003.48. “They have met all of the criteria and regulations,” said Mrs. Ziegler, the staff presenter. Council approved the Lucy Drive speed-hump installation; staff said a pending Berkeley County grant could offset roughly $12,000 of the cost.

The council approved a change order for a previously authorized construction project that increases the vertical construction/renovation budget by $9,917,062, including a 4% contingency. Staff said that change will bring the total approved project cost to $11,966,805. Council approved the request on a unanimous voice vote after a motion and second.

Council also authorized an emergency contract with Jay Davis to repair an aging sewer line serving the women’s restroom at Crowfield Golf. Staff said the city used $50,000 from hospitality-tax funds allocated for a chipping-green project and $11,617.40 from the golf fund balance, bringing the total to $61,617.40; because this was an emergency repair, work began before council approval and is estimated to take 14 days. “Due to this being an emergency repair issue, we actually began work on Sunday. It's estimated to take 14 days,” said the presenting staff member, Mrs. Deaton. Council approved the contract on a voice vote.

Minor procedural items also passed: council approved minutes for previous meetings as presented.

Votes at a glance - Annexation — Ordinance to annex TMS 2231303038 (Saint James Avenue) into Goose Creek as general commercial; motion to approve by Councilman Tikak, second by Councilman Harmon; outcome: approved (voice vote). Applicant representative: Kevin Wally, Architecture Plus. - Business-license appeals designee — Resolution appointing the assistant city administrator as designee; motion by Councilwoman Eno Sims, second by Councilwoman Cox; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Lucy Drive speed-hump installation — Staff requested approval; presenter Mrs. Ziegler; estimated cost $29,003.48; pending Berkeley County grant could offset about $12,000; motion by Councilwoman Eno Sims, second by Mayor Pro Tem; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Construction change order — Vertical construction/renovation change order $9,917,062 (includes 4% contingency); new total $11,966,805; motion by Councilman Tikak, second by Councilwoman Cox; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Emergency sewer repair (Crowfield Golf) — Contract with Jay Davis for $61,617.40; funding: $50,000 hospitality tax, $11,617.40 golf fund balance; work already begun, estimated 14 days; motion to approve by Councilwoman Cox, second recorded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Council did not record roll-call tallies in the transcript; all listed items passed on voice votes without recorded individual roll-call votes.

Why it matters The annexation clears the way for development that requires Goose Creek water service; council discussion indicated city site-plan regulations (buffers, parking and setbacks) will apply once the property is annexed. The construction change order and emergency repair together represent significant near-term demands on city capital and operating funds. The Lucy Drive speed-hump vote responds directly to a resident complaint about speeding and crash risk; staff said the installation meets city criteria and may be partially funded through a county grant.

What’s next Staff will proceed with site-plan review for the annexed parcel under Goose Creek ordinances, implement the Lucy Drive traffic-calming work per the approved contract, and finish the Crowfield Golf sewer repair. The business-license appeal designee will take effect for future appeal cases as specified by staff.