First forum on growth ordinance held

SUMMERVILLE — It was the first formal debate on a proposal that could determine the future of one of the nation's fastest-growing counties.

Dorchester County Council is considering an adequate public facilities ordinance that would require developers of projects bigger than 25 houses to show how roads and schools could handle the extra people before the county could approve a new neighborhood.

The county's Republican Party organized the debate in council chambers. About 75 people attended.

Councilman Jamie Feltner argued for the ordinance. Civil Engineer Elliott Locklear argued against it. Members of the party's executive committee asked questions.

Feltner spoke first. State law says developments should not be built faster than roads and schools can handle the new people, he said. The ordinance would force the county to do what state law already requires, he said.

"Dorchester County is in trouble," he said. "We have 90 percent residential (development) in Dorchester County. Residential development does not pay for itself."

He cited a recent study by a consultant saying the county has to spend $35,000 to service every new house. The county needs to quit relying on new houses and start bringing in more industries, he said.

"We have serious problems, and we need serious solutions," Feltner said.

Locklear responded that roads would never be improved if the ordinance were passed. The state controls most of the major arteries. Since many roads are already inadequate, the ordinance would not allow new developments. That would cut off money to improve the roads, since there's no indication the state intends to spend any money improving them, he said.

The ordinance also would raise taxes and fees, Locklear said. The county needs a certain number of new houses each year to make payments on existing bonds. The ordinance would make that impossible, so residents would have to pay for them, he said.

Locklear also argued that the ordinance would do little overall good because developers would simply build in Berkeley County or North Charleston.

"If the entire region is not under this ordinance, then we will simply see another Watson Hill," he said.

North Charleston annexed the Watson Hill tract on S.C. Highway 61 after Dorchester County tried to limit development there.

The Republicans sponsored the debate because the five Republicans on council are divided over the proposal, party chairman Arthur Bryngelson said. The proposed ordinance passed second reading with the support of the two Democrats on council. It needs four votes on the seven-member council to pass a final vote.

Dorchester County, which includes Summerville and parts of North Charleston, was the nation's 48th fastest-growing county last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Reach Dave Munday at dmunday@postandcourier.com or 745-5862.