JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) – A development project that has been in the works for more than 20 years is now moving forward faster.
The Johns Island neighborhood and golf course is expected to get the green light from Charleston County leaders at Tuesday night’s county council meeting.
The Orange Hill Planned Development project is located off of Bohicket and River Roads. The plan originally proposed building 181 homes, but has been cut down to 120.
“This was an unusual project because they’re asking for less than they were allowed, which doesn’t happen a lot,” Charleston County Councilmember Herbert Sass said.
Sass added that the change will further preserve green space there.
“It also increases the amount of open space dramatically with the new plan than the old plan. It’s close to about 900 to 1000 square acres, and about 300 acres of it is wetlands. Of course, the wetlands are all protected, but there’s other open space,” Sass said.
Sass said it will have its own wastewater treatment plant for just that property and a farmers market that may get built near it.
The most recent plan also reduces the number of access points. For the people who live there, the entrance will be off River Road, and access to work on the golf course will be off Bohicket Road, limiting traffic concerns.
“All the main traffic is coming off of River Road. It’s not coming off of Bohicket Road, so there’ll not be much traffic going in there except for going into the main shed for the golf course,” Sass said.
Sass said the planning commission and county council have voted unanimously in favor of the project moving forward. He adds the council can amend plans up to the third reading, but didn’t feel the need after the first.
“These folks have done a really good job. They’re local. They understand they live here in this community. They want everything to be done right, and they do things right, and so we’re very fortunate. The planning commission voted 9-0 in favor. The county council voted, I believe 9-0 in favor at our last meeting, and I fully expect that to happen two more times,” Sass said.
The Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization Department, which focuses on housing and communities, will get $1 million in property funds.
Another $500,000 will go towards the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. Those funds will come from the project over the course of five years as they sell the lots.
“They heard about what we were doing and decided to earmark a very generous donation,” Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Director of Development Emily Speck said.
Speck said the money will help them expedite the process of breaking ground for their Sweetgrass Preserve Habitat for Humanity neighborhood, which will be off of Main Road on Johns Island.
Speck added that the heart of what her organization does is making sure people have a safe place to live, and she believes that’s the goal of the local developers too.
“It’s really great to see that this group is building for maybe a very different demographic. We are really still seeing the importance of having that mixed community and knowing that the people of all different levels of backgrounds and financial ability, that’s what makes John Island great,” Speck said.
“This is a win-win for the community,” Sass said.
A second reading with Charleston County Council will take place Tuesday night along with a public hearing. Council members are expecting it to pass with flying colors.
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