Category: In the News

CHS County Zoning Regulation Proposed Amendments

Charleston County Planning Commission will be discussing proposed amendments of the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance at its meeting on Monday, October 10, 2022 to be held in Council Chambers at the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building (4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston).

At least one week prior to Monday, October 10, an information packet for the proposed amendments will be available at:

https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/zoning-planning/planning-commission.php

Public Comment may be made utilizing any of the following methods:

  1. Attend the meeting in person to speak during the public comment period
  2. Email comments to CCPC@charlestoncounty.org
  3. Mail comments to the following address: Zoning and Planning Department, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405

*All written comments must be received by noon on Friday, October 7, 2022. *

Charleston County Council has scheduled a Public Hearing for consideration of the proposed amendments on Tuesday, October 25 at 6:30 pm at Council Chambers in the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building. Written public comments may be emailed to CCPC@charlestoncounty.org or mailed to the aforesaid address by noon on October 25, 2022. Contact the Zoning and Planning Department at (843)202-7200 or CCPC@charlestoncounty.org for additional information. Lengthy presentations should be submitted in writing to the Clerk of Council at ksalisbury@charlestoncounty.org in advance of the meeting date. To reach the Clerk of Council by phone, call  (843)958-4030.

-Submitted by Mayor John Gregg, Town of Seabrook Island

Archeological Ruins Near Seabrook

Did you know that across the North Edisto River, near Seabrook Island, lies one of the oldest and largest archeological ruins in North America? It is Fig Island shell ring – an ancient site built up of hundreds of years worth of clam, oyster, and other shells along with fish bones, pottery, and primitive tools – which is one of thirty such sites along the southeast coast between South Carolina and northern Florida.

Seabrook Island Natural History Group (SINHG) has written a very interesting article about the history of Fig Island and the two smaller islands that surround it. These islands date back 4000 years and the question is what they may have been used for and who built them.

Click here to read the complete article.

SINHG is one of the island’s oldest and largest special interest groups dedicated to exploring the ecology, history, and culture of the Carolina Lowcountry.

–Tidelines Editors

Donate Gently Used Home Items to Habitat ReStore

Are you clearing out a few things before hurricane season, trying to update your home, or moving into or out of Seabrook Island?  Sea Island Habitat for Humanity ReStore makes getting rid of these items easy.

The ReStore is an amazing asset to the community and to Sea Island Habitat for Humanity as a whole. All of the proceeds from their sales go right back into funding Habitat’s mission which is to make sure that everyone has a safe and decent place to live. 

One of the many amazing things about ReStore is that they offer free donation pickup. This makes it easy to donate gently used household appliances, furniture, or leftover building materials. 

Deconstruction is another service that Habitat provides, and it’s also free! ReStore and construction employees team up, come to your residence or business, and remove unwanted cabinets, appliances, countertops, and any other items that you’re trying to get rid of. Our team will uninstall an entire kitchen, bathroom, or any room at no expense to you. 

Your contribution will benefit working families in our community, and your gift may be tax deductible. Click here to schedule a pickup online or call (843) 559-4009. 

Stop by the ReStore at 3304 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, and see what treasures you can find for your home. New items are coming in every day.

For more information about Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Habitat for Humanity)

Self-Storage Facility Design Drop-In Meeting

Plans to develop a three-story, climate-controlled self-storage facility on the 3.5-acre property directly west of the Andell Inn in Freshfields have been announced. “Bowling Green Capital LLC, or its assigns, will purchase the property, develop, construct and ultimately own and operate the self-storage facility.” 

Although a formal application for the proposal has not been submitted to the Town of Kiawah Island for review, the developers will host a design drop-in meeting on August 23, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:15 pm, at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center. The proposed project description and conceptual site plan can be seen here.

–Tidelines Editors

Order a Third Set of COVID Tests

Most of us have received the first two sets of free COVID-19 tests from the US Government. Did you know that a third set of four at-home tests is now available?

It is a good idea to have extra tests on hand if you have been exposed to one of the variants, if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or just to give friends that may need a test. The idea is to have a test on hand if you need it. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still recommending isolation if you have COVID or have been exposed to it.

Another reason to order additional tests is that the test you have at home may be expired. According to the FDA, COVID-19 tests and the parts they are made of may degrade, or break down, over time.  Because of this, expired test kits could give inaccurate or invalid test results. However, the FDA goes on to say that the expiration dates for at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests may be extended as additional stability data is collected.  You can check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date

To order your third set of free COVID-19 at-home tests, click here. If you did not receive the first two sets of in-home tests or have questions, you can order them as well. This website also has a phone number and answers to frequently asked questions.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: pixabay.com)

Dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Effective July 16, 2022, the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988 -became available to everyone in the United States. According to the website 988lifeline.org, dialing 988 provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and affects all ages, demographics, and ethnicities. Now there is a hotline for everyone – those contemplating suicide as well as friends, loved ones, co-workers, and others looking for support.

When you call, text, or chat 988, you will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. They are trained counselors who will listen, understand how the problems affect you, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary.

The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. The new number 988 is an easier number to remember and does not replace the original number – it is just another way to reach support.

For more information about Suicide Risk Factors and Warning Signs, click here.

-Tidelines Editors

(Image credit; 988lifeline.org)

CCPRC Public Planning Workshop July 21

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is currently leading its Parks & Recreation for All! (PARFA), the comprehensive planning process to identify county-wide park and recreation needs and desires through 2033. To welcome all feedback and suggestions for improving the quality of life of Charleston County residents, they are hosting the following Public Planning Workshop:

Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
St. John’s High School
1518 Main Road
Johns Island, SC 29455

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will host five other workshops throughout the county as well. These public workshops will have a drop-in style format. Attendees will get an introduction to CCPRC, the PARFA comprehensive planning process, CCPRC’s programs & facilities, and preliminary findings from the planning process. CCPRC encourages attendees to stop by any time during the scheduled meeting time.

For more information about the PARFA planning process, upcoming events and ways to encourage more public participation, visit www.ccprc.com/PARFA .

–Tidelines Editors

Update: County Planning Workshop for Andell West July 11

Tidelines has received additional information from Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny C. Honeycutt and Seabrook Island Mayor John Gregg concerning the Charleston County Planning Commission Workshop for the Andell West property on July 11, 2022, at 1:00 pm in the Charleston County Council Chambers (Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building, 4045 Bridgeview Drive, North Charleston, 29405).

The Andell rezoning application has been withdrawn – it is no longer pending. The meeting on Monday is a workshop that is required of an applicant as part of a planned development process. Click here to view the presentation. This is the approach many Kiawah and Seabrook residents asked for in seeking more restrictive use that rezoning would permit. No votes will be taken at the workshop.

The public is invited and encouraged to watch the workshop. The Planning Commission meeting will be live-streamed (for viewing only) on the Charleston County Government website at: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/county-council/cctv.php.

–Tidelines Editors

Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting July 6

Tidelines has learned of two cases before the City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Developers are requesting the removal of 188 grand trees on Johns Island.

According to The Johns Island Advocate, the first case is for the Fenwick Hall Allee PUD (planned unit development) located near Maybank Highway and River Road. The developer is requesting the removal of 17 grand trees and the reduction of the Tree Protection Zone for a number of trees. This includes 13 live oaks. (See Agenda Item #B-10 here.)

The second case is the Wooddale PUD located near River and Plow Ground Roads. The developer is requesting the removal of 171 grand trees. This includes 26 live oaks. (See Agenda Item #B-11 here.)

The BZA meeting will be held at 5:00pm on July 6 in:

Public Meeting Room, 1st Floor
2 George Street
Charleston

The meeting will be live-streamed and recorded by the City for Charleston Public Meetings and can be found here.

–Tidelines Editors

Salute from the Shore Flyover July 4

If you are planning to head to the beach on the Fourth of July, be on the lookout for the “Salute from the Shore” flyover. Beachgoers will be able to see F-16s from McEntire Joint National Guard Base and C-17s out of Joint Base Charleston. The annual “Salute from the Shore” provides a unique opportunity for us to salute our armed forces while celebrating Independence Day on South Carolina beaches. 

The planes start off from Cherry Grove just north of Myrtle Beach at 1:00 pm and travel down the coast to Beaufort, SC. The F-16s should be overhead at Seabrook Island at approximately 1:20 pm and the C-17s at 1:35 pm. Smaller and vintage planes will follow at slower speeds. Past experience tells us that these times may not be exact and the planes don’t always come in rapid succession. 

Be patient, keep your eyes and ears alert, and wave your flags as they pass by!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Facebook@salutefromtheshore)

Statewide Primary Runoff Results June 28

The Lake House polling location closed at 7:00 pm last night June 28, 2022, for the statewide runoff election for both the Democratic and Republican Primaries. There are 2,620 registered voters on Seabrook Island. There were 699 people who voted in person in the primary and thus were eligible to vote in the runoff election. The number of people that voted in person for the runoff election was 193.

Below are the results of the two races in the primary runoff that Seabrookers could vote for. The numbers reflect only those who voted in person yesterday at The Lake House.

The results are also posted on the Lake House window as you walk in the front door.

Statewide Runoffs:

U.S. Senate – Democratic
• Catherine Fleming Bruce – 10 votes
• Krystle Matthews – 29 votes

State Superintendent of Education – Republican
• Kathy Maness -58 votes
• Ellen Weaver – 96 votes

A special thanks to all the poll workers for their vital role in assuring a safe and secure election. In addition to participating in training prior to the election, on Election Day as well as Runoff Day they arrived at the Lake House at 6:00 am to set up and stayed past 7:00 pm to put everything away. Thank you for your service!

–Tidelines Editors