Homeowners offered appraised value
Residents say proposal 'is an insult,' not nearly enough
The city of North Charleston has made an offer to the people living in the shadow of the Charleston County incinerator, but the homeowners still haven't decided whether to stay or move.
The Post and Courier
In an hourlong meeting Wednesday with city Mayor Keith Summey, Howard Heights residents were offered the appraised value for their homes, which were devalued after the city rezoned to industrial use the neighborhood dominated by the nearby Charleston County garbage incinerator. There are 17 properties in the area.
They also were promised unspecified extra help from the city to pay for homes, with both sides saying it would be modest. They were told the city would deal with homeowners first, then with owners of uninhabited properties.
The offer "is an insult, really," said Joyce Williams, one of the property owners who met with Summey and other city officials at City Hall.
"You clue me on where I'm going to get a house for $80,000," one of the homeowners, the Rev. Bernard Brown, said of his appraisal.
Previous story
Looking for a buyout: Property owners say they are stuck in toxic neighborhood, published 11/14/08
Howard Heights is one of the generations-old, working-class neighborhoods in the Neck Area whose residents live wedged in a polluted brownfield of a rail-and-port hub. At 8 acres, it's the smallest of the neighborhoods and settled on the former Navy base side of Spruill Avenue.
The community of older black residents approached North Charleston for help because the city rezoned the properties to industrial use in 2002 as a concession to the expanding port to keep new industries on the Navy base side of the avenue, away from the larger neighborhoods on the other side.
The rezoning meant residents couldn't sell their houses as homes. The State Ports Authority did not buy the properties, and no one is interested in buying the properties for industrial use, Summey said.
He asked the residents to look for places they might want to relocate and then come back to individual meetings with him. He said the city would zone the properties back to residential if the owners wanted to stay.
"I think they understand we're not trying to push them to do anything. We're trying to help them," Summey said. "My concern is for the people who live there. They need to get on with their lives. We're not going to give them the Taj Mahal, (but) we will work with those folks."
Nearly all of the Howard Heights residents and property owners attended the meeting. Brown said residents haven't made a decision.
"Don't try to jump the boat too fast. We're going to stick together," Brown told other residents as they talked outside City Hall after the meeting. "We all want to be done right, done fairly. If it's feasible and it's wise, we're going to do it."
Reach Bo Petersen at 745-5852 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
zoomru (anonymous) says...
WHAT....???? Well...well...well !!!
Where was the PUBLIC announcement about this meeting..?? The same place the announcement for the Parkers Ferry Landfill and the SSS meeting was published...!!
This is NUTz...!! What the heck is going on..!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen....the Incinerator WILL BE closed..!!
WHY....because of the MAGNOLIA Project and the "Promenade Landfill"...!!! I agree with Mayor Summey that you won't get the Taj Mahal...BUT...this land is worth MORE than the appraised value...BAR NONE !!! Considering that you have lived NEXT to an Incinerator and PLASMA technology has been on the market since 1996 from www.startech.net; stick together and do your due diligence. Time for industry steamrolling the citizens ....is OVER; especially NOW that we have the internet !! AND GOOGLE EARTH..!!!
Between the highway dept., CSX and N.-Southern, Kinder Morgan, Developers, and the increase in PROPERTY VALUE WHEN THE INCINRATOR...CLOSES; have the property appraised based on full development in 10 years..!!!
If you need an example....look at what the property value is for the property between Calhoun and Spring St. ..DOWNTOWN!!!!
If they declare imminent DOMAIN and use fear tactics, BORROW a big CHURCH BUS and have a BANNER MADE UP. Then load up that BUS and cruise by the POST and COURIER and LAY on the HORN for 10 Minutes and SING a song.....
THEN...do the same at channel 2, 4, 5, 24, and 36..!!!!
THEN....drive to County Council Building and LAY on the HORN and SING..and be HAPPY !!!! before you MARCH quietly into the CHAMBERS and SING when allowed by the CHAIRPERSON !!!!
Firmly explain that you are going to SHARE in the prosperity of the NECK AREA unlike what has happened downtown..!!!!
Explain to them that you have read about the PLASMA Machines at www.startech.net and watched this video to educate yourself about technology that all citizens should benefit FROM....
see...watch here...
http://laskyfilms.com/startech/movies...
If you need me to explain ANY points to you just ASK Rev. Glover in ADAMS RUN about the Parkers Ferry Landfill Meeting..!!!
Enough ..IS .....enough !!!!!
December 4, 2008 at 1:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jstanotherday (anonymous) says...
I believe purchasing these homes 20% over current market value would be more than fair. Most of these homes are in such disrepair it would take tens of thousand of dollars to renovate just to get the appaisal value to increase. Most of those residents don't have that kinda money or they would have already renovated. I think most know that if these homes were of historical value, the Historical Society would already be involved. My guess is that the intention is to demolish these homes for new developement and with good reason. Pay the money future investors, you will be winning in the long run and you well know it!!
December 4, 2008 at 3:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Reader (anonymous) says...
These owners are getting shafted, but they need to realize that their houses are simply not worth that much. EVERY homeowner thinks that his house is worth FAR more than it really is.
The real problem is that the land has now been rezoned for just commercial uses. The houses can no longer be lived in by new owners (because of the zoning change), but the property cannot be used for commercial purposes (because the structures are designed for residential purposes and not businesses).
The government ought to offer to buy the houses at whatever they were appraised at before the rezoning. The owners should be thrilled to get a price based on a real estate appraisal from back before the real estate market went into the toilet in general.
December 4, 2008 at 3:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
Zoning or not, appraising these homes at $80K seems pretty generous given the surrounding neighborhoods and overall condition. I bet there are some people over in Waylyn that would love to sell their homes to the city for eighty grand.
December 4, 2008 at 3:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
I thought so too "justjerry". The area is not a place where anyone would want to live or let alone drive through. I bet you can buy a lot nicer home for $80 g's than what you have now.
Greedy maybe?
December 4, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
What...... ??
Using google Earth......that PORT has a lovely MARINA on the tip..!!! My backside..!!! Citizens of the Heights......UNITE....!!!!
WHAT A CROCK..!!!!
This is WHAT you need to DO..!! Get a brother or Good Ol' Boy to get a BULLDOZER and in ONE night ....level the ENTIRE area and sell the ENERGY to the Incinerator..!!
THEN....lease the entire parcel with a Toll booth scheme..!!
For every truck that passes over your "easemment" you ALL get 10 Dollars....or for every RAIL CAR that is PARKED charge 100 Dollars...!!! Just like a parking space with TIME Limits...!!!!
Do you see how vauable this land is....??!!
For every Boat or truck going to that MARINA......cha -CHING !!!
Mayor Summey and Riley......!! You both need to be SPANKED..royally !!! We ALL know the value of the area to the entire STATE...!! Good Lord.!!! You'll let a guy from Mt. Pleasant make a million dollars on a landswap for a Parker's Ferry "AMBUSH" but YOU are going to NAIL the "Citizens of the Heights" ( or COTHs!!)!!!! Does YOUR wives know about this..??? Your fellow CHURCH members...???! CRAWL out from under your desks and get OUT and actually get some FACE time with parties involved and above all have your assistants pack you a brown bag lunch and go door to door in this area and look some people in the EYE and talk to them AS SPORTS AGENTS...!!!!
Forget the homes...who cares..? It is the DIRT that is GOLD that has WHAT ....DEMAND..????!!!!
If the DEMAND goes up and there is limited SUPPLY; where does the PRICE ....GO !!!
I Highly suggest you both start thinking ABOUT a "Memorial" for these Citizens..!!!!
This "AMBUSH PUSH" ....WILL STOP .....NOW !!!!!
MY BACKSIDE ..!! (Fist POUNDS!!!)
December 4, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
This should have been settled as part of the 2002 package. Government again did not consider its responsibilities. Now these citizens need to be made whole. If they were in a paid-for house, they should be compensated with another house of similar size within a reasonable distance from their current house.
December 4, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
This neighborhood was first established as PART of an industrial area way back during World War 1. The homes were built for people that worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and surrounding industries. This wasn't a case of a city or county taking advantage of one economically challenged, racially biased neighborhood. Considering that all of these people purchased their homes after the area was established as an industrial area, I don't think the city should offer them one cent over fair appraisal value. North Charleston should offer fair market value for the properties, ALL of the properties. If any one of the homeowners fails to take that offer, the entire offer should be withdrawn. The city won't be able to do anything with the land unless everyone moves. Of course, they still won't be able to do anything with the land then either. If they did, the next street over would start complaining... then the next street... and the next street... you'll end up with all industrial areas shut down.
You knowingly purchased a home in a less than desirable area because the cost was low. Now you want to complain about the area being less than desirable and you want more for the home than it's worth. Screw them all...
December 4, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
ATTENTION.....Citizens of the Heights (The COTHs!)
Do you realize that YOU have a HERO....??!!?
That's right...!!!
You have a SUPERHERO..!!
DO you know who HE ...is..?!?!?!
Do you know whois coming out of the BULLPEN (Halfway House) on MARCH 27TH.....????
That's right.....T-RAV !! Thomas Ravenel ...JR.!!
I am sure he would LOVE to redeem himself and make HIS DADDY proud !!! I am sure he would love to demonstrate to the REST of the STATE that even when He was in the POKEY that his heart swelled for CAROLINA....justice !!!!
I AM SURE ....since he was the STATE Treasurer that HE KNOWS what things ...ARE WORTH..!!!!!
MY.."COTH ARMY" unite your MINDS..!!! READ ...LEARN ...ACT and above all....trust YOURSELVES !!!!
YOU ..yes YOU have the Power to REZONE this property any WAY ...YOU ...see fit !!!
The Government is Of the People,for the People, and by the People....NOT of Summey, for Summey, and By Summey !!!!
How does Shipyard CREEK appraise ...ITS ...property..!!!
FUTURE..VALUE !!!!!
My "COTH ARMY" .....what song will be OUR anthem..???? TROOPS fan out and find as MANY ..."REBEL" flags you can get and START ..flying them !!!! Matter of FACT....I know which REBEL FLAG should lead the FIGHT....that's right ...thed very REBEL FLAG that FLIES on the StateHOUSE...Grounds !!!!! Get aboard a BUS and make a ...PILGRIMAGE !!!!!
WE KNOW HOW TO FIGHT in the 21st Century !!!! Get a camera and take pictures with THIS Flag before you rehang it !!!! Then get a BANNER made to put up on your Community SIGN..!!!!
Then ....go to HOME DEPOT or LOWES or where ever and get a pair of BLACK GLOVES and CUT the fingers OUT..!!!
AND DO ....what !!!!?????
That's right...TAKE a picture and send it to Jesse Jackson, the ACLU, Motley Law Firm, Governor Sanford, Waste Management CEO and BOB PEELER, Kinder Morgan CEO, CSX CEO and Financial Analysts, Norfolk-Southern CEO, Santee "Sandanista" Cooper CEO and Board Members, CARTA Bus drivers .....AND EVERY MAYOR in the LOWCOUNTRY..!!!!!!!!!
..but above all.... T-RAV...jr.!!
December 4, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Zoomru: Calm down...before you blow a gasket!
December 4, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zod (anonymous) says...
I would not have given 2 dollars for one of the houses BEFORE the incenerator was located there.
December 4, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Just another sad instance of people that believe every one owes them something. I hope they "ban together and hold out" until no one is willing to talk to them about anything. Earn your keep. THAT is the right answer.
December 4, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beefsaver (anonymous) says...
Zoomru, at least this article has something to do with trash handling. Could you please give the "caps-lock" and "!" keys a rest? Reading your rants is like sitting next to a crazy person arguing with himself loudly on the bus.
The "appraised value" offer from the city seems fair, but only if you compare it to the offer that they'd get from the market. What percentage of home value did they lose with the re-zoning? I suppose, though, the answer to the homeowner's question is: look for housing in another quasi-industrial slum if you want a detached house for 1/3rd the median home price for this area. Investments are never guaranteed.
December 4, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
I have enough guns to live in this ghetto without fear. Sell me your house (I'll pay fair market value + 10%) and I'll live there cheap and probably bring the value up a little in the process.
Otherwise, if you self-imposed slum lords want to live like crap, not improve your property or lot in life than deal with it.
December 4, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GreenvilleGirl (anonymous) says...
If the people in the neighborhood are to be compensated, they should be paid what is referred to as the 'Fair Market Value' of the property, PLUS any adjustments to the value made because of the zoning or location.
A real estate appraiser who has an MAI designation should be used, or let each side choose an appraiser and take the average of the figures.
As usual, government is making it more expensive and more difficult than it needs to be.
There are specific requirements for appraisers to follow; it's not an exact science, but appraisers who have the proper education and designation should be able to establish values which should be fairly similar.
December 4, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Beefsaver.......LOL ! LOL..
Well. your point kind sir is WELL taken. However, if I seem like a person that CHATs with himself on the bus; then I'm sure that a few Members of the "COTH ARMY" would actually be comfortable with my way of communicating. I highly suggest Mayor Summey and Riley start taking LESSONS...!
KIND Members of the "COTH ARMY"....
Let me inspire you .......think about this. Since everyone is coming OUT of the woodwork in DC for Bailout money where does this PUT James "Grand Master Flash" Clyburn. Well, members and soldiers this means that since Mr. Clyburn is a resourceful and cunning member of the "COTH ARMY" ...that the BIG 3 Auto-BOYz are not going to receive a DIME without Trooper CLYBURN getting a CUT or SKIM to feather the South Carolina NEST! Mr. Clyburn realizes exactly how much the PORT means to the ENTIRE state....especially his Dubai Arab Boyz in ...ORANGEBURG..!!!
Trooper Clyburn ...WILL make sure that all parties involved are treated FAIRLY !!! Members of the "COTH ARMY" understand that this is NOT the Lottery. They understand full well what the PORT means; but they are TIRED of all the backslappin and expect ...HONEST...THOUGHTFUL...RESPECTFUL....GOOD STEWARD .....ACTION !!!!!
No if ...ands...or....BUTTS...!!!
December 4, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
zoomru- If you started typing normally....I think I might freak out. All would not be right with the world. LOL
December 4, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaptPete (anonymous) says...
The offer of $80,000.00 is far more than he would ever recieve on the open market. A property sold in 2007 approx 1500 ft from the plant sold for less than $60,000.00.
December 4, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
I've seen city govts pay millions of dollars for all types of pork projects and they can't do the right thing here? Fair market value plus monies for their move and hardship for living next to an incinerator for 20 years! Someties you can go above and beyond the norm Mayor!! I've seen you do it before!!!
December 5, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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