Owner withdraws plan after neighborhood opposition to Ward Avenue rezoning

Charleston County held a public hearing on a rezoning request for 6786 Ward Avenue (TMS 475-02-00031) after planning staff recommended denial and the planning commission voted 9–0 to recommend disapproval.

Planning staff presented the site history and compatibility concerns, noting adjacent unincorporated residential parcels and nearby properties in the city of North Charleston. Staff advised that criteria for approval likely were not met and said the request would permit uses in the neighborhood commercial district such as restaurants, convenience stores and, by special exception, a bar or lounge.

The property owner, Charles James, told the council he would not pursue the cigar-lounge plan at this time but said he may seek the rezoning again to allow redevelopment of the vacant parcel. "I will not pursue it, but I will be asking again for it because I wanna move on with the property," James said.

Several nearby residents and community leaders spoke in opposition. Reverend Curtis Dacen said the church next door, which he said has served the community for more than 130 years, and an adjacent Christian academy make commercial uses inappropriate. Priscilla Waring identified herself as president of the Northern Park Civic Group and urged the council to heed residents’ concerns. "We applaud councilman Darby for working with the community," she said.

Council members raised compatibility concerns and flagged uses that would be incompatible with the longstanding church and daycare. Planning staff noted 73 written comments in opposition had been received before the hearing. Meeting staff said they would follow up with the applicant and confirmed the applicant indicated he would withdraw the application.

The matter will return to the council only if the applicant resurfaces the request; staff said they would contact the applicant to confirm next steps.