North Charleston council approves multiple annexations and rezoning measures as residents oppose proposed Rivers Avenue nightclub

The City Council of the City of North Charleston on Feb. 27 approved multiple annexation and rezoning ordinances and heard sustained public opposition to a proposed nightclub on Rivers Avenue.

Council voted to adopt annexation ordinances for parcels identified by TMS numbers including 411090011 (Section 55-L, Council District 5) and 41105081 (Section 55-M, Council District 6), and to annex and rezone a parcel addressed as 3401 Little Ranch Road (54 KS, TMS 39000000491.08 acres) into a planned development district in Council District 7. Councilmembers moved and seconded the measures and the roll calls recorded all present members voting in the affirmative.

The approvals came early in the meeting; later in the public comment period, a number of residents urged the council to block or reconsider licensing and zoning changes that would allow an establishment they described as a nightclub and lounge at or near 5624 Rivers Avenue. Neil Bailey, a resident who said he has lived in the area for decades, said the proposed use would worsen noise, shootings and other problems. “I am opposed to 5624,” Bailey said. Betsy Hayden, an architect and nearby resident, said the council must follow zoning law and “protect our zoning.”

Other speakers described repeated disturbances, threats and property crime they associated with existing late-night bars on or near Rivers Avenue. Andrea Erb, who identified herself as a resident of Sylvia Street, said city officials had warned her family to stop reporting alleged illegal activity and that the business packet identified the venue online as “Aqua Nightclub and Lounge,” not a bar and grill. “They haven’t done what the city expects this entire time,” Erb said.

Several commenters cited the City’s zoning code provisions that restrict issuance of licenses for establishments near churches, schools or playgrounds and asked council to consider those distances when evaluating any permits or rezoning. John Quorum, who said he represents Triumph Church House adjacent to Dixie Furniture, asked council to reexamine the application because the church is within the statutory distance the speakers quoted.

Council approved other zoning-related ordinances by roll call, including: - An ordinance rezoning 5469 Deloche Street (TMS 4731300031) from R-1 single-family to R-2 multi-family (Council District 8), which passed after a roll call vote. - An item to deny rezoning for a parcel identified in the agenda as TMS 665200197 (address noted as 919 Echo Avenue in the packet), where a motion to deny carried on roll call. - An ordinance rezoning a parcel with TMS 469110206 from R-1 to R-2 in Council District 10, and two amendments to the zoning code to (1) cap the number of short-term rental permits per council district (section 4-21) and (2) amend conditions for churches and private schools in residential districts (section 5-1). Those measures were approved by roll call.

Why it matters: The annexations and rezones change municipal boundaries or allowable land uses and can affect neighborhood density, traffic and enforcement responsibilities. The vocal public opposition to a proposed Rivers Avenue nightclub highlights tensions between commercial activity along major corridors and adjacent longstanding residential neighborhoods and faith institutions.

Council members did not announce additional hearings or votes tied specifically to the Rivers Avenue venue during the Feb. 27 meeting; the public-comment speakers asked the council to use existing zoning and distance rules when evaluating any applications or permits.

Votes at a glance: - Annexation: TMS 411090011 (Section 55-L, Council District 5) — motion to adopt annexation ordinance approved (roll call: Ulm, Dr. Palmer Roberts, Ms. Brown, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Skipper, Mayor Burgess and other present members voted Aye). Referenced in transcript at s=218.695–253.005 (topicintro) and s=279.065–306.85498. - Annexation: TMS 41105081 (Section 55-M, Council District 6) — adopted (see roll call and reading, transcript s=340.03–364.61). - Rezoning: 3401 Little Ranch Road (54 KS, TMS 39000000491.08 acres) — annexed and rezoned to Planned Development District (Council District 7) — adopted (transcript s=364.61–412.11502). - Rezoning: 5469 Deloche Street (TMS 4731300031) R-1 to R-2 — adopted (transcript s=452.38998–475.86). - Rezoning: parcel TMS 665200197 (packet/address listed) — motion to deny rezoning carried (transcript s=500.22–535.33). - Rezoning: TMS 469110206 (R-1 to R-2, Council District 10) — adopted (transcript s=555.52496–607.09503). - Zoning code amendments: section 4-21 (short-term rental cap) and section 5-1 (churches/private schools conditions) — adopted by roll call (transcript s=555.52496–607.09503).

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the Feb. 27 public-comment portion of the City Council meeting. Council did not take a separate final vote on an alcohol or business license at the meeting; speakers asked the council to consider zoning distances and licensing rules before approving uses that residents say would function as nightclubs.

The City Clerk and staff did not provide additional specifics about pending license applications during the public-comment period recorded in the transcript. The city packet referenced in public comment identified an online listing for “Aqua Nightclub and Lounge,” which residents cited as evidence that the proposed use would operate as a nightclub rather than a restaurant.

A city staff member read agenda items and the roll calls during the meeting. The council convened an executive session later in the evening and returned to approve separate settlement matters.