[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6574340,"mediaKeyId","3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c","parentId",3085906,"title","Residents urge council to pursue a ‘Just Ecological Corridor’ project; online comments show support","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",1886000,"endMs",2009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c&start=1886&end=2009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c/thumbnail_1886000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574340/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-council-to-pursue-a-Just-Ecological-Corridor-project-online-comments-show-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574340-60fedf44a1c10718e0ed9183b1fcc709/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199859&Signature=gNCnySBrgpxN6rnLW0hKLm9mYTnm-0rFLWPvEPpY4j0q4-rZF53MDEVZLhlZVnTbx~W4dI2iTNlQwYZm8I0BjO089LDvlfTvLfIpRtPo-UbBF6K2IVYHgAQJztYh6wJXi3gLck3A7Gd0ZixjHgghQpar7m6hJXcN2HrKqYTWQEa0bCX84cn5XJv08-RE-h~ami6i3fKTOP6rTSZqzC3JCKp0pFw-874mXPFr~quYUXX3askeJtuA2ocvoMSyUgGTiWi5Fon-7D7bQlshCOXPyNnteXkC6NwpqfL4hTXPIz5tmiM1bGdD6qIwhEwRqFTPO4GThQSRvF90lSifzTkcXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charleston","date","2025-04-22T21:40:48.443Z","article","Speakers during citizens’ participation and the public hearing urged council to pursue a Just Ecological Corridor project that would create an urban ecological corridor in Charleston.

Blake Scott (public commenter) asked council to work with community members to create the corridor, which he said was presented to the Public Works Committee the night before by Mika Gaston, the city’s director of sustainability. Scott described the project as “the first urban ecological corridor in the Southeast” and urged the council to include it in the city’s planning work.

Joel Caldwell, who spoke after Scott, backed the proposal and said the corridor would be good for the environment, make the city more pedestrian-friendly and could deliver strong return on investment through increased property values and improved access to shops and restaurants.

The clerk reported nine online comments in support of the Just Ecological Corridor and one comment noting a lack of programming and opportunities for children near Martin Park and urging the council to provide more youth programming in the area. The clerk also noted one comment from Anthony G. Bryant was submitted and sent to council in full.

No formal council action on the corridor was recorded in the transcript excerpt; the remarks were part of public comment and the public hearing. Councilmembers did not record a directive or motion on the corridor during the excerpted portion of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston City Council Meeting 4/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters at the April 22 meeting asked the City Council to work with community members to create a 'Just Ecological Corridor' in Charleston; speakers said the project would advance environmental goals and neighborhood benefits and 9 online comments supported the initiative.","taxTitle","Charleston City, Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3701,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574345,"Council adopts three bills on second reading and ratifies them on third reading",58,2254000,2312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c&start=2254&end=2312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c/thumbnail_2254000.jpg","/articles/6574345/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-adopts-three-bills-on-second-reading-and-ratifies-them-on-third-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574345-7fb62ea6eef930e976b1b265ce14ef2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199859&Signature=aUmRYTNWh5Brd-eIiwaEX1qtDnoATSbmTp6MqtwPlD3Wfa5SwA8A-VA2HrS3jI924W5gnQd31XMM1ltGWLBpES8trMNWICJxXY7sOvIyqty3tiEnAzKVjMKewW2emOWS2ab0Giln-ioj8c~N8avgY~yKrKR1n2mjpGwDMzHfdJS294IRN54bMs4kSm~DQCVpfoTwDJ~IBCnwSyEaI7SQVIUG1QgdAlyH0XICrTbia3ZJls2E53bkEFSqELK4CToIQMP278UkoK8u7~5Fe5u7SzTtAe4ZcmkXSOL87Co3uiwnfSZ56132sF1hpud3tCk3ANPpn0WYAHtLcsnfxVDREA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council on April 22 moved bills 1–3 together for adoption and subsequently took them up for third reading and ratification, with the mayor noting the motions and the council approving them by voice vote.

The transcript excerpt records motions to take bills 1–3 together, a vote to approve them and a later motion to move them for third reading and ratification; the mayor announced the items carried. The meeting record in the excerpt does not include ordinance numbers or the substantive titles of the bills discussed, and those details were not provided during the recorded portion of the hearing.

Because the transcript did not specify the subject matter, the article lists the council action (adoption and ratification) and notes that ordinance numbers and bill summary information were not specified in the excerpted text.","Council took bills 1–3 together for adoption and ratified them on third reading at the April 22 meeting; the transcript excerpt does not specify the subject matter or ordinance numbers for those bills.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574349,"Council appoints Ron Bucci as director of new Development Services department",168,2049000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c&start=2049&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c/thumbnail_2049000.jpg","/articles/6574349/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-appoints-Ron-Bucci-as-director-of-new-Development-Services-department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574349-96def05eb1194345f9939bbbc0ee32f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199859&Signature=ZaueJnn3jHE8busu5aU0jtxfHtx0WGJz2Qv7T9Jlgnc5lTvu9hm3poBL2ypLRuLWA69PAqD90zo9bbhf1ebR0KwwrIClGOTBMAbe3lCcuZk1G2TvcFnKTEnVBYkTnbYoeN7oqFheQUj3FR843y3KXxQtTwOtkcMNO0pxlNVJHRh-aQZC1jmZQLGYQs7qxuKe2Qj1ISU3CB4-zioSE8cFIYxLforRRwHfznY80a1y65FYu039s5Q8SGeTpTUoeX2q5XofjtgTtLgWWdDskkky1Mb5eXvcWtOHx~WlY4mpL4-d7VI~eG0CwATWGeN0szMoMsv-r8SNdxM5nrDt2vJ2Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council on April 22 appointed Ron Bucci as director of the newly created Development Services department, a consolidation of permitting, buildings and inspections, plan review and related compliance functions.

Tim Keane, section chief, described the new department as a central element for the city’s work on growth and development and recommended Bucci for the role. Keane said Bucci has been with the city about four years leading a team in stormwater and is an engineer who will take on broader responsibility in Development Services.

Mayor William S. Cogswell Jr. and other council members praised the decision to promote from within. A motion to appoint Bucci was made and seconded; councilmembers voted in favor by voice and the mayor announced the appointment carried.

Councilmembers and staff said the department will focus on customer service, process improvements and coordination across projects large and small. Keane cautioned the transition will take time and called for patience as the new department stands up and implements consolidated processes.

The appointment was approved by council on the record at the meeting; specific roll-call votes were not recorded in the excerpted transcript.","The council voted to appoint Ron Bucci to lead the city’s newly created Development Services department, promoting him from stormwater engineering roles; staff said the department consolidates permitting, plan review and inspections functions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574353,"Charleston council approves multiple West Ashley rezoning and annexation items, OKs senior housing amendment; one application withdrawn",819,856000,1675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c&start=856&end=1675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3085906-82a103ca7767911ea2811092aa4f1a5c/thumbnail_856000.jpg","/articles/6574353/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-council-approves-multiple-West-Ashley-rezoning-and-annexation-items-OKs-senior-housing-amendment-one-application-withdrawn","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574353-d4d0412438a23cc24400a0c05a48f0bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199859&Signature=DESAuPHEeTWoGf7aokFg5ZULK5YpTwd4V9OAtEMAs-F~KlGYr8iDKjBQ9xHDKpUmpQvrrG~kAmxKyQgXyxymusg3maBnXjCS~Yodb-ijXnw5HkkjLJ-rwvoZ4JYk16KR6MY3u5sla3SruQjWY5sj1K-pQ1zSIMsx0j1p9eYD8lLJrt0~DS7TlTYfqPpAevJdDIHe1AsZ9Uhv0~eMbPuLVl6FUv85ihN12Gh~fr6nB7bbbAt0oz00p26TSkBvZAXqhpflGeHh93BQz7PXxjvdfC6DFVo~V-1dalQXVPHJ2B4u6GQKydpvsZa-ITgPt0GpZ11y1U7acYC47PA2-mzqRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council on April 22 approved a series of rezoning and annexation items presented by city planning staff, including a Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning for the West Ashley Circle commercial site and an amendment to a nearby PUD to allow an 80-unit independent senior living facility.

City planning staffer Morgan told council the West Ashley Circle project would rezone a parcel to a planned unit development for commercial uses, creating a walkable cluster of retail, office and financial services near the Glen McConnell Parkway and Bees Ferry Road intersection and working around existing overhead power lines. Morgan said the project includes stormwater detention, trails and landscaping, and that the Planning Commission recommended approval.

The council also considered an amendment to a separate West Ashley PUD near Saint Francis Xavier Hospital and Henry Tecklenburg Drive. The amendment would allow an 80-unit affordable independent-living senior facility, and increase the allowable height from 55 feet to 60 feet to accommodate a planned four-story building. Morgan said planning staff and the developer view the location as appropriate for senior housing because it is adjacent to other senior facilities and the Waring Senior Center.

Several other annexations and rezonings across West Ashley — including parcels on Wapu Road, Orange Grove Road, Metkin Road, Agatha Street, Ridgewood Avenue, Vanderbilt Drive and Bolton Road — were presented as part of the same package. Morgan said the Planning Commission recommended approval of the items that came before council.

Developer Jason Freeman, representing Gateway Development Corporation, spoke briefly in support of the PUD amendment for the senior project, identifying his firm as the owner of a nearby apartment development and saying the team seeks the 80 independent-living units.

Councilman Bridal said he had spoken with the developer and with colleagues about the West Ashley Circle item and emphasized that the site will be commercial-only, not residential, noting the area is already seeing multifamily construction nearby and that the rezoning would add daily-use commercial options for nearby residents.

On a single motion that combined several agenda items, the council approved items 2 through 9 and 11 and 12; item 10 (2362 Brevard Road) was noted as withdrawn by the applicant. The council did not record individual roll-call votes in the public portion of the transcript excerpt; the mayor called for those in favor to say “aye,” and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance:
- Items 2–9; 11 and 12 — Approved (planning commission recommended approval). Specific parcel addresses and proposed zoning changes were presented by staff; where the transcript did not provide ordinance or case numbers, those details were not specified.
- Item 10 (2362 Brevard Road) — Withdrawn by applicant.

The council moved swiftly through the package after the public hearing; three people had been signed up to speak on the matters and two spoke on the record: Anthony G. Bryant and Jason Freeman. The package included a mix of commercial and residential annexations, and staff emphasized stormwater and access considerations for several West Ashley sites.

Background and context: Morgan said the West Ashley Circle PUD is aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan for a city-center-type node and noted existing multifamily construction and retail nearby. For the senior housing amendment, Morgan said the change from 55 to 60 feet was requested so the developer can build a four-story structure appropriate for the independent-living concept and that the site has lower traffic impact than an office use would.

Next steps: Approved rezonings and annexations will proceed with the clerk’s formal actions and any required implementation steps; the withdrawn Brevard Road item may be resubmitted by the applicant at a later date.","The City Council approved a package of zoning and annexation items affecting West Ashley and other neighborhoods, including a planned commercial development at West Ashley Circle and a PUD amendment allowing an 80-unit senior independent living building; one application (2362 Brevard Road) was withdrawn by the applicant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to pursue a ‘Just Ecological Corridor’ project; online comments show support

Council adopts three bills on second reading and ratifies them on third reading

Council appoints Ron Bucci as director of new Development Services department

Charleston council approves multiple West Ashley rezoning and annexation items, OKs senior housing amendment; one application withdrawn