Town Council Report

Town Council Meeting

The James Island Town Council met on Thursday, September 19.

The Mayor reported that the petition drive to annex the West Fort Johnon Road area and the East Lighthouse Point area has begun, with the goal being 100 signatures of registered voters in the areas.   The petititon drive is more than 25% complete.

The Mayor also reported on the meeting held for the Folly Road business community regarding the Folly Road Overlay District on August 29.   A public hearing and first reading on the overlay district is scheduled for October 17.

A public hearing was held on Chapters 8 and 9 of the Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Ordinance.    Council voted 3-2 to pass the proposed amendments on first reading.  Councilman Blank and Mayor Woolsey voted against the amendments, speaking against imposing stricter tree regulations on Town homeowners.   

Town Council passed a resolution 4 to 1  asking SCDOT and the City of Charleston to put turn signals on the traffic light at Maybank and Wappoo Creek Drive.  Mayor Woolsey voted no, pointing out that the resolution was premature, and that this issue will be discussed by representatives of the Town, City, and County at the James Island Intergovernmental Council on Sept. 25.

Town Council passed a resolution 3 to 2 asking the City of Charleston and Charleston County to pass ordinances prohibiting the use of hand held devices while driving.   Mayor Woolsey argued that it was inappropriate for the Town to advocate that other jurisdictions pass ordinances that the Town is not proposing to pass.   He also noted that this will be discussed at the James Island Intergovernmental Council and that a resolution calling for all James Island jurisdictions to pass an ordinance on this matter would be more appropriate there.

Council briefly discussed providing a contribution to support the Angel Oak preservation effort.   Since no resolution had been provided to the Clerk by the deadline, no vote was taken.