James Island Residents Remain Unsatisfied with Proposed Development Changes

James Island Residents Remain Unsatisfied with Proposed Development Changes

In James Island, South Carolina, a proposed development change envisaging a storage facility and at least ten new houses on Dills Bluff Road continues to stir unease among local residents. The development project, which is contingent on a developer’s sale moving forward, has seen several iterations, yet neighbors assert they are still not content with the proposal.

Change in Plans Elicits Further Discontent

The proposed development includes a stretch of approximately 6.5 acres of Dills Bluff Road. Earlier plans included an estimated 20 homes along with around 20,000 square feet of commercial space. After the town refused the initial proposal last October, a new proposition with a storage facility and at least ten new homes was put forward. However, local residents have continued to express their concerns.

Casey Buchanan, a resident of James Island, remarked, “A storage unit facility is incredibly inappropriate for this area.” She further added that this development could negatively impact property value. “Really doing anything that decreases our resilience to storms as an island is really just incredibly foolish,” she explained, stressing her caution towards investing in property in the area, especially in light of the proposed plans.

John Peters, another resident who resides directly behind the proposed property, shared similar concerns. Through his ongoing petitions, one of which boasts over 960 signatures against the new proposal, he has proposed the use of this greenspace for community purposes.

Potential Impact on the Environment & Local Infrastructure

Buchanan is especially concerned about the proposal’s potential impact on James Island’s stormwater management and subsequently, its natural resilience against storms. Despite the new proposal allowing for the preservation of numerous grand trees in the area, Buchanan feels it’s a far cry from what is truly needed.

Peters echoed a similar sentiment. He mentioned conversations with longtime residents who claim the area experiences worse flooding during storms now compared with what was observed during Hurricane Hugo, emphasizing the importance of upholding the area’s natural resilience to future storms.

Feedback from the Developer

While the Taylor Consulting Group, the developer responsible for the proposal, has not engaged in public meetings since the original denial of the first plan, residents have been vocal about their concerns. Despite the James Island town department stating that this is now a build-by-right property, where Taylor Consulting Group has the right to build under the agreed density without the need for further votes, residents continue to voice their objections.

Public Meeting on the Horizon

A meeting by the James Island Public Service District is set for February 26, at the James Island Fire Station #1. It could be one of the final opportunities for residents to publicly air their sentiments before the sale could be potentially finalized on March 1.

Nonetheless, residents are prepared to fight to the end. “They may say they care about James Island,” Peters said. “Caring about James Island would be preserving James Island.”