Green projects move forward
County Council OKs applications for open-space projects
Charleston County is a step closer in its efforts to preserve green with green.
County Council rubber-stamped applications this week for six projects that will protect land with half-percent sales tax money. More than $2.4 million in urban grants will be used to create three new parks and expand or improve three existing ones.
The sales tax should raise an estimated $221 million over 25 years to preserve open space and create parks, but the county borrowed about $95 million to start making large greenbelt purchases now and plans to pay off that loan with future tax proceeds. The greenbelt money is divided between urban and rural grants, and the first round of rural projects is slated to go before council July 12.
Councilman Curtis Bostic said Thursday's decision to approve the first six urban projects was a step in the right direction and that he is excited to see their plans carried out.
"I'm thrilled that cash is actually going to purchase things like this," he said.
Given the go ahead
Charleston County Council approved urban greenbelt projects:
On James Island
--$657,114 for James Island to buy 5.4-acre Medway Park from the Charleston County School District. The town plans to replace existing recreation features with an active park including baseball and soccer fields, a walking trail and an interpretive center.
--$430,000 to reimburse the city of Charleston for Ellis Oaks on Folly Road. A passive park will have a small parking area, historical monument and public benches.
East of the Cooper
--$270,000 for Mount Pleasant to acquire 9 acres on Grey Marsh Road. It will be part of three tracts that will make up a future park including multiuse ball fields and a 75-foot buffer along Darrell Creek to allow for marsh views.
--$229,217 for Awendaw's Ten Mile Community to buy about 1 acre adjacent to the community mini-park. The neighborhood association plans a recreational area, walking paths and benches.
--$540,140 for the Snowden Community Civic Association to buy 4.29 acres at Forsythe Lane and Greer Street for a passive park for walking, jogging, birdwatching and community gatherings.
West of the Ashley
--$276,000 for the St. Andrews Parks and Playground Commission to purchase 120 acres of mostly wetlands for a trail system at Hunt Club on Bees Ferry Road.
To apply for greenbelt money
The next round of applications for greenbelt grants began Friday. About $55 million is still available for rural greenbelt projects, and approximately $25 million is left for urban projects.
Deadlines: Applications for the rural grants program must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 1, and the deadline for the urban grants program is 5 p.m. Sept. 28. Late applications and postmarks received after the deadlines will not be considered.
Where to send: Completed applications with the required attachments should be mailed or hand-delivered to the Charleston County Planning Department, Attn: Greenbelt Project Officer, 4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite A-314, North Charleston, SC 29405.
More information: An optional application workshop to review the process and answer questions will be held at 9 a.m. July 19 in the Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston.
eligibility: Certain governmental, quasi-governmental and nonprofit organizations may apply.
On the Web: For more about eligibility or to request an application packet online, go to www.smallchangeforbigchange.org.
The bulk of the projects breezed by with little deliberation. No one questioned approving money for two properties that are already publicly owned — Medway Park and Ellis Oaks park, both on James Island.
Some council members did take issue with one particular request to buy 120 acres of mostly wetlands for a trail system at the Hunt Club subdivision on Bees Ferry Road.
Councilman Paul Thurmond questioned why they would "preserve what's already going to be preserved" because the land can't be developed anyway.
Also, he questioned how much the trails would be used by the public, since there would be limited access points and the property is located next to a county landfill.
Councilwoman Colleen Condon also voiced unease with the Hunt Club project, because she said she doesn't want to duplicate similar projects within close range of each other.
Nearby, the city of Charleston wants to create a 232-acre park at the top of Bear Swamp Road, while the county's Park and Recreation Commission hopes to buy more than 1,500 acres in the area from the Long Savannah developers.
Condon also shared concerns about making sure funds are disbursed equally across the county.
Dan Pennick, the county's planning director, said the program is voluntary, so applications come in at random and won't necessarily represent the entire county.
Pennick reminded council members this was just the first round of considerations, and he said he expects more groups to apply for the next round, which started Friday.
Councilman Dickie Schweers, a former Greenbelt Advisory Board member, looked to board Chairman Louise Maybank for her thoughts on whether the proposed projects meet the intent outlined by the county's Comprehensive Plan.
Maybank said she feels the scope of the projects exceeds her expectations. "I feel very confident that it is moving along the way it was envisioned," she said.
Council is expected to give the six urban projects final approval Tuesday. The county won't close on the deals until after a due diligence period.
Reach Tenisha Waldo at twaldo@postandcourier.com or 937-5744.
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