Charleston County Considers Halting Development to Protect Historic Communities
In an effort to protect the historic communities threatened by burgeoning developments, Charleston County is contemplating a halt on construction in these districts. The County Council is considering imposing a moratorium that would prevent large-scale development within the area for two years.
The Necessity of Preservation
Overdevelopment has emerged as a pressing topic for settlement communities in the county. At the heart of these concerns is the erosion of cultural and historical heritage, as burgeoning developments threaten to engulf these regions. The establishment of the moratorium aims to ensure the preservation of these communities’ historical and cultural values.
Nestled aside the bustling Highway 41 is one of Charleston County’s first settlement communities. Here, many residents, like Richard Habersham, represent the fourth-generation of their families. Recently, the rise in development has brought about increased traffic and higher housing prices, creating challenges for residents and, in some cases, forcing them to relocate.
Combatting Overdevelopment
“We don’t develop fast,” Habersham said. “We’ve developed slow. We don’t contribute to the traffic problem because it’s not that much traffic generated from our community.”
However, recent changes are increasingly threatening these historic communities. In response, Charleston County Council has proposed the development moratorium as a solution to this overdevelopment, preserving the unique heritage and culture of the regions that make up Charleston County.
The Moratorium as a Solution
The proposal for a two-year ban on all major development is being seen by many as a transitional period, during which time a more permanent solution can be devised to safeguard Charleston’s history.
“They’re now being engulfed by other development that’s come to them, and if we let massive new developments come in and change, you can’t recreate those bonds of family and land,” said Councilman Larry Kobrovsky, who represents constituents living in McClellanville, Awendaw, and North Mount Pleasant – home to some of the county’s settlement communities.
Rallying for Support
Various council members support the proposed moratorium, with Kobrovsky expressing optimism that the majority will approve it. He stated, “I think we owe it to maintain our history,” he said. “Every day, like everybody else, I see part of what we love about living here and our history disappear.”
The next Charleston County Council meeting is expected to take place on July 16th, at which point a final vote on the moratorium will be cast.
What Lies Ahead?
While the anticipation builds for the final vote, the proposed moratorium brings into sharp focus the ongoing struggle between preserving history and continual development. Communities like Charleston County face a delicate balancing act as they strive to maintain their heritage in the face of modern pressures. Regardless of the vote’s outcome, the issues brought to light by the proposed moratorium will remain a significant concern for the communities affected.
