Landfill developer withdraws project plan

Opponents of a proposed construction waste landfill in Adams Run were declaring victory Thursday, after developer Tre Sheppard withdrew the long-contested plan prior to a scheduled vote by a County Council committee.

"I think this is about as good a result as we could get," said Wilbur Jones, one of the most outspoken opponents of the landfill.

County officials said the withdrawal of the plan would have the same effect as if the County Council had voted against it. The developer was seeking zoning changes and changes to the county-wide land guidelines found in the Comprehensive Plan.

"If it has the same consequences as a vote, then it's a good thing," said Kate Parks with the Coastal Conservation League, which opposed the landfill.

Unlike several times last year when scheduled votes on the landfill zoning issue were postponed -- much to the frustration of opponents -- the withdrawal of the plan means that it is dead for now. The plan could be considered again only after a year has passed, and it would be treated as a new request that would have to go through the entire process again, county officials said.

Officials also said that they think the withdrawal means that any landfill proposed on the property would need to reapply for a state Department of Health and Environmental Control permit, but the county's attorney said he needed to confirm that that is correct.

Sheppard informed the county Thursday morning, in a one-sentence message, that he was withdrawing his zoning requests "until further notice."

His plan called for a 102-acre landfill for construction and demolition waste on a 313-acre property on U.S. Highway 17 near Parkers Ferry Road. The county owns 750 acres of land surrounding the site, which the county purchased from the Sheppard family for $1.5 million in 1992.

The county had considered using the land for a garbage landfill but abandoned that idea and has tried at least once to sell the property.

Opposition to the landfill was well-demonstrated at two public hearings last year, one of which attracted about 200 people. The county's Planning Commission voted 7-0 in early 2009 to recommended rejection of the zoning requests.

In other business at the committee meetings Thursday, council members approved the following recommendations, which will have to be ratified during Tuesday's regular County Council meeting:

--Providing economic incentives -- a fixed property tax rate for 20 years and $3 million in reimbursed infrastructure costs -- to Remount Venture LLC of Mount Pleasant, which plans to add 182,000 square feet at a cost of $24 million to its 60-acre Remount Road Business Park in North Charleston. The incentives would require that the project create at least 600 jobs and support a payroll of at least $30 million.

--Naming the new county jail the J. Al Cannon, Jr. Detention Center, after the county's currently serving elected sheriff. Councilman Dickie Schweers questioned the propriety of naming a prominent building after an elected official who may seek re-election, and Schweers abstained from voting.

--Naming the council's meeting room the Beverly T. Craven Council Chambers, honoring the current and longtime clerk of council.

--Naming the county's election headquarters the John L. Chisolm Election Headquarters, honoring the civil rights leader known as "Big John" who had served on the county Election Commission and died in 2004. Chisolm played a notable role in integrating the Charleston County Fair, Charleston Municipal Golf Course and Edisto Beach State Park.

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.