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James Island officials report local development, election forums and county transportation sales tax committee formation
Summary
Town updates included new and prospective restaurants, an art and community center permitting process, a fall town market fundraiser and a denied swim-school zoning request; speakers also flagged a new Charleston County transportation sales tax committee that will begin public outreach.
Town and county representatives briefed the Rethink Folly Road steering committee on community happenings, elections and a county transportation-sales-tax effort that could affect local transportation funding.
Town attendees reported that several local businesses are renovating or considering openings, including ongoing renovations at Mondo's and interest in businesses to occupy vacant parcels. Town staff said the Bagel Place has delayed opening and that other prospective tenants are under consideration for commercial sites near Camp Road.
The town said it has begun permitting and public-input planning for a new art and community center on the Hillman lot and hopes for a spring groundbreaking. The town also announced a town market on Oct. 3 and a silent auction to help close a roughly $70,000 shortfall for a new James Island Outreach food pantry building.
The planning commission and town council denied a zoning change that would have allowed a swim school and related structures; town staff said the property may still be for sale.
On regional funding, committee members described a newly formed Charleston County standing committee on a potential transportation sales tax referendum. The committee's first meeting was announced for Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.; members said the county is preparing public outreach and data assessment, and that the county will seek public input before any referendum. A speaker characterized the 2024 referendum to extend the county transportation sales tax as having been rejected by voters and said county council had been reconsidering the approach.
The steering committee scheduled its next meeting in November and encouraged residents to attend upcoming intergovernmental and candidate forums ahead of local elections.
