Angel Oak plan gets final approval
Village to offer shops, offices, 600 homes
By David Slade
The Post and Courier
Coming soon to Johns Island, a densely built development of shops, offices and up to 600 multi- family homes at Maybank Highway and Bohicket Road that just received final approval from Charleston City Council.
Angel Oak Village has been on the drawing boards since 2005, when nonprofit Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care sold the 42 acres of undeveloped land for $3.5 million in order to extricate itself from bankruptcy. An endowment fund supporting the nonprofit also will receive funding from the development profits, under an agreement with the developers.
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Two historic swaths of land, two real estate deals; Struggling nonprofit plans to sell land near Angel Oak Published 01/15/05
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Sea Island's unsecured creditors get checks Published 12/28/05
Originally approved as a mixed-use development with fewer than 300 homes, with a commercial area anchored by a large grocery store, Angel Oak Village later dropped plans for the grocery store and more than doubled the housing units.
Christopher Morgan, director of the city's Planning Division, said the development fits with the Johns Island Plan adopted by Charleston last year, which envisions three village-like areas on Maybank Highway.
"There's a better site plan than before, creating more of a village atmosphere," he said, comparing the plan approved Tuesday with the original one. "There's also a substantial component of affordable housing, which was not there before."
At Angel Oak Village, there would be apartments, condominiums and town homes, and up to 15 percent of the homes for sale would meet city guidelines for middle-class affordability, which means a one-bedroom condo could sell for a price in the mid-$100,000s. There also would be 80,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
The land sits at a key Johns Island intersection and surrounds Angel Oak Park on three sides. The city long ago identified the intersection as a "gathering place" where dense development would be desirable but has worked closely with the developers to protect the integrity of Angel Oak Park.
At one point, in the fall of 2005, the city threatened to buy the land if developers did not agree to significant, undeveloped buffer areas around the park and along Angel Oak Road. The resulting agreement included a nearly 8-acre conservation easement around the park, and a 150-foot buffer of undisturbed land along the dirt road leading to the park.
Robert DeMoura of Clement, Crawford & Thornhill, a managing partner in the Angel Oak Village Development LLC, said the project will seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. It could become the first LEED-certified development on Johns Island, indicating the development meets high standards for environmentally friendly design.
Charleston Councilwoman Kathleen Wilson cast the only vote against the revised Angel Oak Village plan Tuesday.
"I don't like that kind of density and that kind of size so close to the urban growth boundary," she said.
The development is right at the edge of the boundary line that the city has set as the point where dense development should end. Wilson said she's concerned that one big development will lead to another.
DeMoura said Angel Oak Village will provide needed housing for people who work in places like Kiawah and Seabrook islands. He said people who live in Angel Oak Village will be able to walk to stores, schools and parks, the Johns Island branch of the Charleston County Library and other facilities.
Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postand courier.com.
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Neponset (anonymous) says...
It will be interesting to see if this and other new developments get off the ground. Real estate is just not moving, except for very special situations. Last number I saw was 10,000 houses for sale.
July 17, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
2cents (anonymous) says...
Oh dear God. PLEASE don't tell me this is really true. To put a devlopment of this size that near the Angel Oak and allow only 8 acres of undeveloped land...what are they thinking?
Thank you to Kathleen Wilson. We need more of her.
July 17, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
konphidence (anonymous) says...
"At Angel Oak Village, there would be apartments, condominiums and town homes, and up to 15 percent of the homes for sale would meet city guidelines for middle-class affordability, which means a one-bedroom condo could sell for a price in the mid-$100,000s." Wow? Nuff said....
July 17, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
icbmman (anonymous) says...
I think that once anybody hears the words "development" and "Johns Island", the anti-growth people send out their knee-jerk reaction to it, regardless of the circumstances. Early, you make a very valid point in that this section of Johns Island is already developed. It really is the first checkpoint into the city from the rural island areas. This is not a big deal.
Another valid point, though, is that when the developers received approval for construction, they were not given any necessary stipulations on improving infrastructure, which is badly needed in this area. The city should mandate road improvements since it is all in city limits.
July 17, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hillss (anonymous) says...
Angel Oak Road gets enough traffic as a cut through that disturbs residents and visitors of the park. This will just multiply it and bring in people who will litter and tear up this road, destroying its natural beauty and probably bring more crime to the area. This is a disgusting plan.
July 17, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
noseygirl (anonymous) says...
Yes, there is growth in that area and they are right on the border line of rural and urban. My concern is that they have not investigated the traffic situation. As it is, one must leave an hour in advance to get to Charleston at a reasonable hour. This much development will create serious traffic issues at the intersection of Maybank and Bohicket. There is already a horrible traffic headache at Maybank and River.........Lord, help the residents of this island. Why do our county leaders allow developers to build, but not contribute to making the roads better????
July 17, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Just one step closer to removing the tree for progress, thats the whole reason King Joe bought this property years ago. First they take your land for schools then they buy landmarks to destroy for waffle houses.....Pave paradise put up a parking lot. doo waa waa
July 17, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OverHere (anonymous) says...
I think the city had an interest in not blocking this because it got them out of bed with the non-profit group who was selling this due to bankruptcy.
Clearly a situation where development should have been blocked through land acquisition - but then how could debts be repaid?
Guess we'll get condos. "Views of Angel Oak - Starting in the low 200's"
July 17, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
is any development allowed ? How much do these guys need to pay to develop ? impact fee's are a start but let's not think these fee's could cover Johns Islands poor infrastructure repair costs. If the locals don't want development don't sell your land...simple as that. It's foolish to handcuff developers in this "down" housing market for doing honest work...providing housing. Higher density will slow the sprawl of Johns Island.
July 17, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
This is just retarded why was the non profit org out of money? probably because of some one interested in that land stalling them and such... I wonder what the .org was for.
This becoming a LEED project, is ridiculous, and sinful. If its made of recycled glass and cardboard it's green? BS! If you cut down a national treasure's neighbors (a Tree that lives 1000's of years had good neighbors I'm sure, as trees are not singular organisms, they are networked by their biome) to build a "green" project, you kill a forest? This is just greed! SHAME!
July 17, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
http://www.scphca.org/pdfs/2005SCPHCA...
Their last financial online report was from 2005, and they have several other locations around the nation...
hmm.... this is vacant landlordism....
July 17, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
WEll, they have been around 25 years, until Bush and the retardicans screwed up our economy.
July 17, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fallofrome (anonymous) says...
This is unbelievable. First Charleston county is trying to put private development on Morris Island and now this? Who are these morons elected to Charleston County council? Is nothing sacred to thse people? Riley and the rest of the clowns need to be voted out. Hopefully, the next hurricane will wipe out all these trash developments and send the FIFOs back home.
July 17, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
600 homes = 600 property tax bills for the City of Charleston. This is irresponsible development. The intersection of Maybank and Main/Bohicket is horrible now. In order to "walk to the Johns Island branch of the Charleston County Library" you would have to risk your life crossing Maybank Highway.
July 17, 2008 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
I've noticed that people around here are against any development that is not a Wal-Mart.
July 17, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
"James Island citizens' group protests Wal-Mart proposed expansion"
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/pub...
I've noticed that people from NOT around here aren't paying enough attention. 600 new homes in a stagnant real estate market? I guess that makes sense to you??
July 17, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fallofrome (anonymous) says...
" I've noticed that people around here are against any development that is not a Wal-Mart. "
So tired of transplants that moved here last spring and now are "local natives" that know everything there is to know about the lowcountry. The Angel Oak is over 1,500 years old and is near and dear in the hearts of all true natives. County council has no business approving a development engulfing one of our last remaining natural gems - but I'm sure you already knew these facts from reading the "frommers guide to the south" on the trip down.
July 17, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjfoster74 (anonymous) says...
I was interested in this story because I love to go visit the Angel Oak. I read some of the comments and I have to laugh. Anti-growth people on Johns Island make little sense with their arguments.
Don't they realize the only way to get more and better schools, road improvements and better infrastructure is through development. The government is not going to pay for any of those things unless they have tax dollars coming in to pay for it. Johns Island without new development is a poor ecomony for such improvements. Developers have to pay millions in impact fees, road improvements and other fees that the city and or county may require in order to do their project. This money pays for your new sewer, water, roads and schools that Johns Island needs, however it won't be done without development.
Are any of you anti development people out there NOT to shop at the new retail center they build, i doubt it. Worry about making sure they protect the environment and are a reputable developer, which in this case they are.
July 17, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
if you want better schools, you must move to these areas where people live, not expect a school for every sprawl.
Your understanding of infrastructure is typical. oh, if we build a house, we deserve gas stations, schools, and fire stations, but, wait, the beautiful country side, and biome we grew up with is gone, too bad we sold it.
I live as close to the center of the town I choose, for its quality of thoughtful lay out. It can be improved, but if I move out to the country, I am planning on not having a school,.
July 17, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Do you really think you'll continue to love visiting Angel Oak as much with 600 homes surrounding it?
Do you really think Riley will spend the tax dollars generated by this project on Johns Island?
I'd say your arguments make little sense.
July 17, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disco (anonymous) says...
Who says i'm a transplant? One wal-mart in james island is having opposition - so what. Apparently there was no opposition to the other 50 that have been built here.
July 17, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
So your a local who refers to the "people around here"...
yeah. right.
July 17, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
willie08 (anonymous) says...
512C
well said.
July 17, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
which family estate company is benefiting with Riley? I think that should end...
July 17, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
icbmman (anonymous) says...
I am in awe of the intellect of the many posters here. Truly.
July 17, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjfoster74 (anonymous) says...
to 512c:
I am not the one asking for better roads, schools and infrastructure. All the anti-growth people use that as an excuse to say no to development. My arguement is simply that if you want to improve the schools, roads and infrastructure on Johns Island, the only way to do so is through development. It will not happen in our live times if Johns Island does develop. If you fight development, don't complain about the roads and schools. And any development on Johns Island is not "sprawl" I urge you to look it up, sprawl is what you people cause when you fight development in areas that are close to work centers. If someone can buy a new home on Johns Island for $200,000, then they don't have to buy in Moncks Corner and commute 40+ miles to work. That is sprawl.
When they build a nice retail center that is better than the 20+ year old Food Lion or Piggly Wiggly, I am sure without a doubt that you will shop there.
And besides, if every one that lives on Johns Island wanted to keep it rural, then why are all these land owners selling there land to developers. I hear Colleton County is beautiful and you can be certain it will be many years before development gets there.
July 18, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LEYH (anonymous) says...
All of this anti-development talk is great but does anyone know of something we can do as an individual or a group to stop this?
July 19, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LEYH (anonymous) says...
http://www.thepetitionsite. com/1/save-the-angel-oak-on-johns-island-sc
This is a petition that all need to sign. Don't know if it will actually help but it can't hurt.
July 19, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillyG (anonymous) says...
SCAngelOakTree.com has several pictures and a little history on what was going on during Angel Oak's birthday.
When I was born, we were living right off Maybank & Bohicket. Little by little, fast food restaurants and shopping centers are slowing changing the makeup of the East Coast's 4th largest island, and it ain't necessarily for the better IMO.
July 28, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Oceanlover (anonymous) says...
Wow, this is the first I even heard of this - aside from going out there not too long ago and wondering why so many trees had developer ribbons tied to them. Great job of keeping this one under the radar Joe, and a great staying on top of a major story Post and Courier. Where the h e double L were your reporters when the planning and backroom shenanigans were going on that suddenly let this "revised" plan out of the bag? You guys should pat yourselves on the back - great work from a supposedly conservation oriented newspaper. And great job buying the greenwash lines from the developers and pol's on this too. Riley's developer cronyism ruined James Island and now he's intent on doing the same to Johns. And don't even get me started on the wisdom of this 'village' when we have more homes for sale down here than ever, ever before. Brilliance.
August 7, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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