North Charleston council approves annexation, rezoning and routine items; several first readings advance

The City of North Charleston City Council on April 24 unanimously approved an annexation ordinance, a rezoning ordinance and advanced several first readings and administrative items, Mayor Burgess and council members said.

The actions came during the council's regular meeting and covered both final readings (annexation and rezoning) and first readings or title-only approvals for a range of administrative matters, including a property sale and equipment purchases.

Council adopted a final-reading annexation ordinance to annex parcels in Dorchester County (TMS 1810701 parcels 15–17) into City Council District 1. The city attorney told council the annexation petition contained signatures of 100% of the freehold property owners and represented 100% of assessed value; if approved, services to the property begin immediately following the vote. The roll call showed unanimous support.

The council also adopted a final-reading rezoning ordinance to rezone property at 5641 Flanders Avenue (TMS 473150, Parcel 129) from R1 single-family residential to OA neighborhood office in Council District 8. The measure passed on a unanimous voice/roll call vote.

Among first readings and title-only items approved or advanced were an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sell a vacant residential lot at 2514 High Point Drive to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for $46,000; a first reading authorizing a purchase-and-sale agreement with an indicated appraised value discussed during the meeting; and a set of items read by title only that included a resolution designating an abandoned building site at 1959 Jacksonville Road under the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, extension and encumbrance matters related to Fernwood Drive and the North Charleston Housing Authority, a sole-source software purchase, the purchase of a new Zamboni resurfacing machine, a Department of Homeland Security grant-related fire department budget revision, and approval of speed humps on Sedot Road (Bailey Drive) in Council District 10.

The council also approved the appointment of Donny Curry to the North Charleston Housing Authority during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Annexation ordinance (final reading): approved (unanimous roll call) - Rezoning at 5641 Flanders Ave (final reading): approved (unanimous roll call) - Sale of 2514 High Point Drive to SCDOT ($46,000) (first reading/approval): approved (unanimous roll call) - Items 6–13 read by title only (including abandoned building resolution for 1959 Jacksonville Road; Zamboni purchase $130,956; ScribeWatch/Core software $169,056.25; DHS FY2022 port security grant budget use $221,758.72; speed humps on Sedot Road): approved as read (unanimous roll call) - Appointment of Donny Curry to North Charleston Housing Authority: approved (unanimous roll call)

Councilmembers present who recorded votes during the meeting included Ms. Jerome, Dr. Palmer Roberts, Ms. Brown, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Skipper, Mr. Brown, Mr. Roe (called as "Mister Roe/Roehm" in the record) and Mayor Burgess. The clerk called the roll on each measure and recorded unanimous "aye" votes on the items described above.

The meeting proceeded to public comment and other business after the votes. No additional council action on these items was reported at the meeting.