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Residents urge council to block rezoning of Highway 17 parcel, citing repeated crashes
Summary
Residents told the Awendaw council they oppose Ordinance 2026-23, a rezoning request for a four-acre parcel along Highway 17, saying the nearby intersection has a history of serious crashes and that more homes would worsen safety risks. Town staff said road improvements are planned but gave no timeline.
Lance Otto, a resident of Semper Fi Drive, told the Awendaw council he opposed converting a four-acre parcel across from Steve Booth Road from planned development to residential under Ordinance 2026-23.
"I'm opposed to turning that a lot into residential, mostly for the safety aspect of it," Otto said, recounting years of dangerous turning movements and crashes near the Highway 17 intersection, including incidents that required helicopter medevac responses.
The ordinance would reclassify the parcel identified as TMS 700 from planned development to residential, a change that proponents say would allow housing development. Several residents said the site’s proximity to a high-speed curve and uncontrolled turning movements makes housing there unsafe.
"The lives have to be saved 1st," said Ashita Mandel, who said she has lived near the intersection and described repeated crashes and near misses. Mandel urged the council and state transportation officials to prioritize safety improvements before approving zoning changes.
Council members did not take a final vote on the rezoning during the recorded segments. Town staff later said roadway improvements are planned but declined to give a firm schedule for any work.
