Drive-by Zoning – It ought to be a crime!

The Riley Administration’s haste to rezone the long vacant L. Mendel Rivers Building on Meeting Street and include it within the Accommodations Overlay District is a direct affront to all of the Peninsula neighborhoods that have been promised a voice in the development of a comprehensive plan for the Calhoun/East Bay/Concord Planning Area. This latest rezoning to accommodate conversion of the old Federal Building into another massive hotel on Marion Square exemplifies the arrogance and total disregard for the residences of the neighboring boroughs by Riley and his emasculated planning staff as they press headlong with one massive, uncoordinated project after another. As with other drive-by crimes, these seemingly spontaneous, random, ill-planned and uncoordinated acts invariably result in egregious damage to the quality of life in surrounding residential neighborhoods and often lead to irreversible, unintended consequences that adversely impact residential livability and quietude throughout the Peninsula.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)

Riley’s Neighborhood Squeeze Play

Notwithstanding the multimillion dollar valve of the many well preserved, historic homes in the French Quarter, Ansonborough, and Mazcyk-Wraggborough Neighborhoods, the few remaining locals with roots in the Peninsula must surely suffer the pains of compassion and pity as these long suffering neighborhoods now face seemingly insurmountable challenges to their very existence. For nearly four decades, the relentless pressures of increased tourism, commercialization, atrocious public schools, and the insatiable need for increased student housing has driven both locals and transplants alike from the Peninsula by the thousands.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:44 PM | Comments (0)

Problems plague County’s digital radio system

Consultant to be hired to review Motorola’s proposed remedy

All is not well in the implementation of the County’s new Digital Radio system. Staff wants to hire a consultant to review Motorola’s plan to rectify the problems. The County signed a contract with Motorola in 2005 for its entire analog system to be converted to digital. The new P225 system was identical to that being used by the Federal Government and other national entities.

Continue reading "County Council, January 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

Cal/Cooper Plan approved with no debate

No zoning change to be placed before Council until Task Force can review

There was limited satisfaction for those seeking a deferral on the hearing on the Calhoun Street/ Cooper River Waterfront (Cal/Coop) Plan. In one sense, it was very clear cut loss- the Council voted unanimously for the Plan despite the request for a deferral by the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association, the Preservation Society and others. They argued that the plan should not be implemented until the Task Force, agreed to by the Mayor, was in place and an outline of other plans for the Eastern edge of the peninsula had been defined.

Continue reading "City Council. January 26"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

Brown to Obama – It’s the Center Stupid!

Only one week later, it’s still amazing how one single event in the ultra-liberal Bay State could change national political momentum literally over night. With the Lion of the Senate not even cold in the ground, a center-left conservative, running on a more independent than Republican platform, came out of virtually nowhere to trounce the Democratic Party’s chosen candidate and win the most pivotal U.S. Senate race in arguably a century. Within 24 hours, Scott Brown’s stunning upset stopped the U. S. Senate, House of Representatives, and Obama Administration cold in their tracks and instantly reversed a seemingly inevitable slide into national socialism.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

A Rising Tax Jolts Joe’s Votes

For those who may have missed the similarity, there is an old political cliché that claims, “A rising tide floats all boats”. For Charleston’s too long serving mayor, this year, and particularly, the City Administration’s upcoming budget for Fiscal Year 2011, may be the greatest financial and political challenges that J. Pericles Riley has faced in his nearly four-decade tenure as Mayor and chief executive officer of Charleston. Notwithstanding Charleston’s main engines of economic growth and expansion as the now all-to-lame two-trick pony of tourism and sustainable construction in the commercial and residential sectors, Charleston’s primary revenue generating resources of property and sales/consumption based taxes are being pummeled by the continuing recession and lack of meaningful economic rebound so hoped for by the smoke generators and lever pullers in City Hall.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)

New Council Members sworn in

City can rebate franchise fee to the needy, but unlikely to do so

It was the first meeting of the year and as for reportable items, it was lean. The newly elected Council members were sworn in, and thereafter followed a host of resolutions and presentations. When it came to Council business, it was nearly all over.

Continue reading "City Council, January 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)

Fundamentals of the County Greenbelt Plan reaffirmed unanimously

Conservation easements a better tool than fee simple purchases for conservation

Warwick Jones

The Greenbelt Advisory Board (GAB) today affirmed the principles of the County Greenbelt Plan. The GAB was asked by County Council late last year to take another look at the plan and make recommendation for changes. This request followed the expression of unease by some Council members that much of the green belt funds was directed to the purchase of conservation easements where no public access was possible. Some Council members thought that fee simple acquisitions would be better and which would allow public access.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)

Council member Pryor elected to Chair again, and Summey to Vice Chair

Boeing, zoning fees and property taxes

It was the first meeting of the year for the Finance Committee; As usual the first business was the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of Council. There were no surprises. Council member Teddie Pryor was re-elected as Chair. Council member Thurmond was nominated for Vice Chair but declined the nomination as he did not plan to run again when his term expired at the end of the year. Council member Summey was then nominated and elected unanimously.

Continue reading "County Council, January 7"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:34 PM

An encouraging outcome of the “Delicate Balance” forum

A task force to be formed to observe and coordinate plans

We had low expectations for the forum held last night and sponsored by the Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF). The aim was noble - to generate discussion and a plan to preserve the historic ambience of the City and its quality of life in the face of major developments proposed on the eastern side of the Peninsula. We expected a series of soothing platitudes and high minded objectives from the speakers that would ultimately have little impact on restraining the City in allowing developments that many of us find threatening.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!

During this joyful Christmas Season, pause a moment and give grateful thanks to the many husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and friends serving in our nation’s armed forces throughout the Middle East and in other foreign lands. As we celebrate with family, friends, and love ones, remember those who willingly place their lives in harm’s way, keeping watch over our nation that we may enjoy the peace and security their sacrifice provides.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

It’s the Drainage Stupid!

The severe flooding, property damage, disruption of commerce, and subsequent shutting down of the Peninsula of Charleston during the afternoon and evening of Friday, December, 18th was yet another example of the reckless, unacceptable, and inexcusable performance of the current City Administration. This unprecedented disruption of the lives of tens of thousands of people, either trapped in the Peninsula or trying to drive through it, ranks only slightly below the recent inexcusable and tragic death of nine Charleston City Firemen – the root causes of both can be nothing less than incompetence and a gross dereliction of duty by public officials responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizenry of Charleston.

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Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)

Council not a rubber stamp!

Deferrals on the Green Plan and Cal/Cooper Plan

There was a lot of time for reflection last night. City Council did not wind up its meeting until well after midnight. Issues relating to the extension of the agreement for the development of Ansonborough Field, public hearings on the City’s Green Plan and the Cal/Cooper Plan, and more discussion on next year’s budget took up the hours. If the Mayor had his way, the session would have ended much earlier. But he didn’t. Council refused to rubber stamp his proposals; it debated the merits and in some cases rejected the Mayor’s requests. And that was the reflection; Council has come a long way in the last few years.

Continue reading "City Council, December 15, 2009"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

Twas da night befo’ Votin’

With much seasonal joviality and response to the following poem published in Shrimp ‘n Grits two years ago, we thought it worth repeating, albeit with a few timely updates to include the new faces on Charleston City Council. Regrettably, although a few names have changed, the lack of individual intellect and courage befitting a worthy Council member remains a constant burden for the citizens of this fair city to suffer.

Twas da night befo’ votin’, ‘n all t’ru Joe’s City,
All ‘e cronies be’n smoozin’, ‘n dat be’n da pitty.