Charleston councilman previews Jubilee mixed-use project and stresses infrastructure concerns for Johns Island

Charleston City Council member Jim McBride told Kiawah Island residents that a proposed Jubilee mixed-use project on Maybank Highway would include a 75-room hotel, about 65 cottages, several restaurants, retail and office space, preserved wetlands, and community park areas on roughly 13.5 acres, with only about eight acres developed.

McBride said the project is proceeding under a planned-unit development (PUD) rezoning that required city council review because the developer consolidated five parcels into one PUD. He described multiple community briefings the developer held and said the design includes significant green space and stormwater features required by Charleston City's 2021 stormwater rules. "13.5 acres... Only 8 of it will be developed with... buildings," McBride said.

Residents pressed McBride and town staff on whether the city considers "concurrency" or road capacity, fire-station coverage and other infrastructure before approving projects. McBride and the mayor said state law limits municipalities' ability to deny development solely on capacity concerns; tools available locally include negotiated conditions during rezoning, impact fees (which are difficult to impose), intergovernmental agreements and asking the state to consider concurrency-like legislation. McBride said he has discussed the topic with state lawmakers and county officials and is exploring options.

Residents raised traffic and safety concerns about the Maybank and River Road intersections and the adequacy of fire and EMS coverage on Johns Island. McBride said the city is pushing to prioritize Maybank East and Maybank West projects on a regional transportation list and is seeking additional funding sources; he also noted that an emergency-care facility in the project would proceed before the hospital portion because of certificate-of-need rules.

McBride framed the conversation as part of a broader effort to inform residents about who approves development and what tools are available to influence scope and timing. "You have to be mindful of what government body's responsible," he said, urging residents to engage with city, county and state officials.

What happens next: McBride said city and county staff will continue plan reviews, the developer will work through site-plan requirements and public meetings, and the town will hold a joint planning commission/town council public workshop on stormwater management on June 30 (date noted at the meeting).