Last night, City Council gave first reading to the Laurel Island PUD, despite the community’s objections to the lack of public engagement and call for further refinement of the PUD. The PSC’s concerns were echoed by numerous members of the community who submitted comments and spoke at the meeting, and points from our remarks were picked […]
LAUREL ISLAND OVERVIEW Once occupied by a City landfill, Laurel Island is a 196-acre site on the Cooper River, just north of downtown Charleston, currently seeking rezoning to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The proposal calls for a high-density, mixed-use development of the site, which will undoubtedly be one of the largest and most impactful projects in Charleston’s history. The […]
Background In late August, the Preservation Society learned the twin smokestacks at St. Julian Devine Community Center were ordered down by the City Building Official, citing concern for their structural stability during hurricane season. Originally built as part of the City’s trash incinerator in 1935, these structures are very visible landmarks on the east side […]
St. Julian Devine Community Center smokestacks courtesy of the Post and Courier On Tuesday, the City of Charleston asked City Council to approve more than $500,000 to fund the partial demolition of the c. 1935 St. Julian Devine Community Center smokestacks down to 60ft. in height, citing concern for their structural stability during hurricane season. […]
Laurel Island PUD Conceptual Base Plan In August, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Laurel Island Planned Unit Development (PUD), in spite of resounding community concern and a multitude of unanswered questions. In addition to concerns with the plan, the PSC was troubled by challenges to adequate and effective public participation at the meeting—namely that the numerous public […]
On Thursday September 3, the PSC attended a community meeting on the impacts of the Alternative 1 proposal to widen Highway 41 through the Phillips Community, led by Phillips Community Association president and vice president Richard Habersham and Jonathan Ford. Photo courtesy of the Post and Courier. Tomorrow, Friday, September 11, is the last day to submit […]