[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6658339,"mediaKeyId","5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336","parentId",5022104,"title","Council adopts juvenile curfew; critics urge repeal or revision of First Amendment permit rules","audioSeconds",708,"startMs",6444000,"endMs",7152000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336&start=6444&end=7152","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336/thumbnail_6444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658339/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-adopts-juvenile-curfew-critics-urge-repeal-or-revision-of-First-Amendment-permit-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658339-cac5d9745b8d46c65c342b2fa00975ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186823&Signature=a-mQCeuzEsUaJ2YelEczWR-h07qmzffQcsruGLePy-8JreGus4I-pv06GfunmCuE40w7ZTf8U0YfWn6XQpTNKUTDvjhkghk8bYObtbG6hJknw-ryl-Jo9aXeu1Dg1-cBMF7ZQuuITf0Zi0B271oJhqj1ZiASn6Wsc4ke7gdhy-4tLUt9Xqw4BEh2aaoUxogdKrqWWoK5Ikmu1L4gSPWzAeuFTWy6YLuCBIJHS89N4PSkrtCyVV1NV1ZLqCUMAJySMAuJPNf-5dzIp4VPo3jiEDQpEsisX7b-tESC5ElphFQEvSMGnBTYUaN4nbD6QIZA685ErCr0S0d463o3imT~NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charleston","date","2025-06-18T11:20:19Z","article","City Council on June 17 approved a city code amendment to add a juvenile curfew provision to chapter 21, section 21‑114, following committee approval and readings earlier in the spring. The council and police department said the ordinance will take effect on July 27 to allow training and public notice.

Councilman David Shealy, reporting out of the Public Safety Committee, said the committee approved the ordinance amendment and sent it forward for council reading. “We also had an ordinance to amend this code of the city of Charleston, South Carolina chapter 21 to add section 21‑114 to establish a juvenile curfew in the City of Charleston,” Shealy said during his committee report.

During the citizens’ participation portion of the meeting, multiple speakers urged council to reconsider or repeal a separate First Amendment demonstrations ordinance, which public commenters and civil‑liberties advocates said has been used to limit protests. Marcus McDonald, a community activist, said the curfew and the First Amendment demonstration rules would increase police interactions with young Black residents and urged council to vote the measures down. The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, represented by communications director Paul Bowers, told council the local demonstrations ordinance — enacted in February 2021 — has been applied in ways that “escalat[e] conflicts and criminaliz[e] speech.”

Dr. Bonnie Cleveland, chairing the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission, told council that the commission received public comments opposing the First Amendment ordinance and unanimously recommended that council object to the ordinance’s text and implementation. Speakers raised specific text and implementation concerns, including permit limits, restrictions on protest structures such as chairs or tents, and the discretionary denial or modification of permitted times or locations.

Mayor William S. Cogswell advised the council the police department expects the juvenile curfew to take effect on Friday, July 27 to allow time for training and public notice. The council approved the ordinance on third reading and the procedural record shows no roll‑call tally beyond the standard reading approval statement recorded in the public transcript.

Council’s public safety committee also considered an appeal about denial of a First Amendment permit and forwarded a recommendation for an alternate location (Hampton Park) to the special events committee; that matter remains subject to committee scheduling and administrative review. No formal vote to repeal or amend the First Amendment demonstrations ordinance occurred at the June 17 meeting; speakers asked council to revisit the ordinance in future legislation or committee work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston City Council Meeting 6/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","City Council approved an ordinance establishing a juvenile curfew after committee approval; members of the public and civil‑liberties groups urged council to reconsider a separate First Amendment demonstrations ordinance they say has been enforced to restrict protest activity.","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},6658345,"Charleston Water System warns county road projects could raise rates; asks council to press for funding",871,4620000,5491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336&start=4620&end=5491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336/thumbnail_4620000.jpg","/articles/6658345/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-Water-System-warns-county-road-projects-could-raise-rates-asks-council-to-press-for-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658345-f9fa8742b6f180add7f0a0e4a1ff4edf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186823&Signature=AfDC6asLr-Uq87fxdoBUePtFxp5l9fDoLSGvef5da0Y5EnY-8JxyszeydQ~yq3-XmDx~bvonHYDHBEwfnbnEW5viaSuccY4iYoe-LZgqqH9SDN4uqNHRFbPv68Ciyb411N8cVTFLD~LCsiNlkKQ4MfXw0wk-HssVWAAZgXp9KNS3iMYjUrts1Z02TS9GeGBWvasZFCAGvYAB~ZXY6EihTuW4qvKuZyiQvJS-ZSXhU-wf95L-Oa187AOn-0~vQl6n7HvXA3ygwK0gtOFWTSn7yt~EwQKVaWkN4wCFpI2QJ3E9FHB8RREhvTQ2b54mkIKUxtzs5NbBXUNcuU84tz~meg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston Water System (CWS) leaders told City Council on June 17 that planned county road and drainage projects — including the Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) corridor and the Highway 17/Main Road interchange — could require as much as $112 million in water and sewer relocations, work that CWS said would otherwise be borne by its ratepayers if not covered by other funding sources.

“Based on the current design plans ... our estimate is around $64,000,000 for our relocation costs” on the LCRT corridor, CWS CEO Mark Klein said, adding another “close to $20,000,000” in relocation costs for the Highway 17/Main Road interchange and related projects. Klein said the state’s 2019 Utility Relocation Act (Act 36) provides up to 4% of highway construction cost as offset for affected public utilities but that in large projects the statutory contribution is far short of actual relocation expense.

Klein said the LCRT design presents particular operational risks because the city’s primary transmission mains — two 24‑inch lines that supply downtown Charleston and other major feeder mains — run along corridors scheduled for widening and drainage work. “These are large mains, and they aren't easily taken out of service to relocate,” he said, adding that engineering and inspection fees would add several million dollars to the total.

Klein asked council to advocate to state legislators to extend or remove the sunset provision in the Utility Relocation Act (the current sunset date is July 1, 2026) and to consider asking Charleston County to include CWS relocation costs in the sales‑tax funded project funding mix so costs are shared more broadly rather than being placed entirely on CWS ratepayers. He said the utility finances such relocation work through bond debt, which disproportionately affects low‑ and moderate‑income customers.

Council members responded with concern. Councilman William J. Waring said the funding formula is inequitable because county sales tax revenue spreads cost across roughly 425,000 county residents and millions of annual visitors, while the water system’s relocation burden would fall on about 130,000 water accounts. Council members asked for support from the city as it discusses upcoming county referendum language and legislative outreach.

The presentation did not produce a recorded council motion or vote at the meeting; Klein requested the city’s “consideration to include Charleston Water System’s relocation costs” in county funding requests and urged council to press the state delegation to address the limits in Act 36. Council members expressed support for pursuing legislative and county‑level funding options in follow‑up conversations.

Klein also noted CWS is facing other regulatory and capital pressures — including a previously identified PFAS regulatory compliance cost that the utility estimated last year could increase rates substantially — and said layering relocation costs onto existing debt would further strain low‑income customers. The utility said it already averages about 200 shutoffs per day for nonpayment, underscoring the equity concern if relocation costs were financed by CWS rate increases.","Charleston Water System presented estimates that relocations for the Lowcountry Rapid Transit and Highway 17/Main Road projects could cost the utility roughly $112 million, urging City Council to support state and county funding changes rather than passing costs solely to ratepayers.",{"_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},6658349,"City Council approves rezoning for 126 Romney Street amid neighbor opposition",1734,1654000,3388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336&start=1654&end=3388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022104-dc56f33668aa3bcce0791c741826f336/thumbnail_1654000.jpg","/articles/6658349/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/City-Council-approves-rezoning-for-126-Romney-Street-amid-neighbor-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658349-52186635a517eebf557626abcbe8df4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186823&Signature=S-RIJPZjg8onY7oqtSi9B0TuRVDwtXEHpmuVi40YmP1TGIdGHXp-hn1NqvDEjFC~5VyCqdnvDyxIZCTAI8Bb8rc5NbgG~UHwY7RTCIjtBJu1W2Fyj4YHcV08lv5bytH7h9P80M0pwzK3pX6tP644O0r08v~WlZlVJTqhsvTUXsdn~klxzKAq541q7hza0WJ1whSMKuxXvaeNdDCX5higQ8sjKtHPyQwzdVHn~qTX-1S0NzXvZmlNjFAR1DXT6K7mS4gd8qmKXsNQrs5S9wLTMPfPvZ8VzLmKXvIKVSVx55T8Gz1O5i53dfBq91l~UvLt1vFIa63uaNrt4TrNBDE6UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council on June 17 approved three public‑hearing items, including a rezoning request for 126 Romney Street that would allow commercial transitional uses and could permit surface parking to support redevelopment of a 10,000‑square‑foot building at King and Simmons streets.

The rezoning drew divided public comment. Supporters — including Tyler Smith, the property owner and applicant, and nearby business owners — said the change would help revitalize a long‑vacant corner building and provide needed parking. “We are trying our best to find a solution to be able to revitalize this building,” Smith told council. Opponents, largely Romney Street residents, said the proposal would create a commercial parking lot in the middle of a residential block and referenced zoning rules they said the application conflicts with.

Christopher Morgan, city staff, told council the Board of Appeals denied a use variance for the site earlier in the afternoon by a 5–1 vote and that the applicant later submitted an amended application changing the requested classification to commercial transitional. Morgan said the area already contains a mix of general business, limited business and residential zoning and that city comprehensive‑plan guidance did not preclude a commercial transition at the parcel.

Neighbors who spoke against the rezoning raised legal and quality‑of‑life concerns. Heidi Graham, a nearby resident, told council, “I just want you to realize that everyone wants 1091 renovated. But we're talking about 126 Romney Street, and we're talking about putting a commercial parking lot in the middle of a residential area.” Other residents urged the council to require a narrower, more restrictive allowance or to insist on alternatives to surface parking.

Councilman William J. Waring pressed for approval, arguing the property had been boarded up for years and that the owners had sought a narrowly tailored option. “Let's get this CT zoning passed today. Let's let them get their parking lot. Let's get this building on King Street renovated,” Waring said.

The motion to approve items 1 through 3 (the Romney rezoning and two annexation items listed on the public‑hearing agenda) passed; the record shows one abstention from Councilman Mitchell. Council did not record a roll‑call tally in the public transcript beyond noting the abstention.

The applicant and supporters said the parcel would be used to meet parking needs for the corner building at King and Simmons and that restrictions in the commercial transitional (CT) district — including limitations on outdoor dining and restricted hours of operation when adjacent to residences — would apply. Opponents said they would continue to press for more restrictive relief through board or legal channels where appropriate.

Council did not provide an ordinance number or additional conditions on the record beyond approving the items as presented; staff will post final zoning and annexation paperwork in the city’s records once processed. The Board of Appeals decision earlier that day remains part of the administrative record for the site and was cited during public comment.","Charleston City Council voted to approve three public‑hearing items, including a rezoning request for 126 Romney Street to allow commercial transitional uses and potential parking, despite neighborhood opposition and a Board of Appeals denial earlier the same day.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts juvenile curfew; critics urge repeal or revision of First Amendment permit rules

Charleston Water System warns county road projects could raise rates; asks council to press for funding

City Council approves rezoning for 126 Romney Street amid neighbor opposition