Goose Creek council approves Myers Road annexation and planned-development framework after residents warn of traffic and safety risks

Goose Creek’s City Council voted Dec. 10 to approve annexation of multiple parcels along Myers Road and to advance a planned-development (PD) framework meant to guide, restrict and impose design standards on future construction there. The council first introduced the annexation as a first reading and, following extended public comment, approved the motion by voice vote.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing warned that Myers Road is a two‑lane corridor with limited pull‑outs and poor emergency access, and urged council members to delay or limit approvals until road and safety issues are addressed. "If there's a wreck...it becomes a parking lot," said Steve Hughes, a Ruby Street resident, who urged council to "hold off" on more development until impacts are clearer. John Milovich, a retired health‑care professional, said he canvassed neighbors and found most had not been contacted by the developer; "They were not okay," he said.

Several commenters cited pedestrian safety and stormwater concerns. Mark Milodich told the council he had spoken to SCDOT and Berkeley County and said SCDOT had no plans to improve Myers Road; he quoted a program manager saying such improvements would take "a minimum of 4 to 5 years" and would require a large appropriation (the dollar figure stated in the transcript is unclear). Residents pressed developers and staff to reduce unit counts and require sidewalks and other safety features.

Council members and city staff responded that a planned‑development designation gives Goose Creek authority to require design standards, traffic impact studies and mitigation that would not be mandatory under the current Berkeley County zoning. "This is a planned development ... we can make requirements where straight zoning you cannot," a council member said. Mayor (speaker 1) stressed that every project in Goose Creek requires a traffic impact analysis and that current engineering standards require stormwater to be managed on site (retention/ponds, root barriers and buffers were discussed as conditions).

Several council members acknowledged residents’ safety concerns but argued annexation offers stronger local standards and public‑safety oversight than leaving the land under county jurisdiction. Council members also noted that property owners have the right to sell their land and that, by annexing, the city can ensure the developer adheres to conditions including buffers, sidewalks, and other improvements the PD document requires before second reading.

At the public hearing the developer and staff noted specific changes to the PD document: removal of three tree species from the draft list (bald cypress, Florida dogwood, sweetgum were discussed), addition of a root‑barrier requirement, a 10‑day review clause, and added buffer zones. Staff said all conditions and integration into the PD document must be completed before the second reading and that failure to meet those conditions could result in denial at second reading.

Several public speakers raised the issue of whether the developer had contacted adjacent neighbors; a developer representative and planning staff said they had made outreach efforts and supplied documentation to the planning commission. Some council members asked that any developer letters or promises be attached to the minutes so commitments are on record.

The annexation and related PD approvals were advanced by voice vote; the meeting transcript records members voting "aye" and the motions carrying but does not include a roll‑call tally. The council recorded no amendments that altered the votes at the time of the motion.

What happens next: The PD document must incorporate the agreed changes and be finalized by staff and the developer before the second reading. Council members repeatedly emphasized that second reading will be the point at which all conditions must be met and documentation must be integrated into the ordinance.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 518, topfinish SEG 1434.