[{"_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",6474027,"mediaKeyId","5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015","parentId",5742729,"title","Council approves park renaming, multiple annexations and ordinance readings; accepts a purchase-sale agreement","audioSeconds",5295,"startMs",1275000,"endMs",6570000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015&start=1275&end=6570","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015/thumbnail_1275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474027/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-park-renaming-multiple-annexations-and-ordinance-readings-accepts-a-purchase-sale-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474027-faeddc4c4fb7b3842d9db59da8aff040/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181955&Signature=h4x-eKXDb9GNIdZpLeZbOXpdvUO4kcSosUovf6vD1AY7-h7JTqB3GzhOcpL3RAmzRNhFqsorJaSDsHJ86MtdFdFlHHLzixNvCc0B7oCODdIheE~cZmNATyrvY5IbNPApkBTbf9jw~cZ2ZgYA0hehdgtN0YMJgHkEjTS6WxyTklw~gfW2k~bbbsTbofJs4c8~7dDgtf-JfUA-JX4LGK45m-5Xy1NAfPsipcKyARuPLX-N-7l2454jAJ0-gVu2hzqmSMVt4gA8f2ZbG7Ja3XqtzzexgKcxkLDYKoFgwDxR5bOX0RfOf1Awxq1uiShe3JJMKPPCQsWz6-bELqcNcmxNAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charleston","date","2025-09-09T18:52:18Z","article","A summary of formal votes taken at the Sept. 9 Charleston City Council meeting:

• Howell Avenue Park renamed: Council approved a motion to rename Howell Avenue Park to Roman Myron Buck Park by voice vote.

• Mediation settlement for 440 Sumter Street: Council approved the mediated settlement for after‑the‑fact demolition (see separate article).

• Third-reading ordinance passed: The council passed on third reading an ordinance “to repeal and replace chapter 21, article 3, division 4, sections 21‑67 through 21‑74, and to amend chapter 22, article 1, sections 22‑7 and 22‑8, the code of the City of Charleston, to conform with state law as amended.” The clerk called a roll‑call vote; council members voted in the affirmative and the motion passed.

• Second- and third-reading bundled approvals, items 1–19: The council took second reading on 19 bills together and approved them as amended. Item No. 19 was amended to remove the property at 2028 Firestone (transcript: “remove the property 2028 Firestone from that ordinance”). The council moved and approved taking second and third readings together and approved the bundle as amended by voice vote.

• Executive-session actions: After an executive session, council approved a purchase-sale agreement for 995 Orchard Drive by voice vote (motion passed). The council also instructed the legal department to explore options regarding the contractual relationship with Saint Andrews PSD (see separate PSD article).

Why it matters: These formal votes enact code changes, finalize annexation or property decisions, and approve a property transaction. The bundled consideration of multiple bills and the removal of a property from an ordinance (2028 Firestone) were recorded on the public record.

Ending: Council adjourned after executive-session votes. The transcript records general “ayes have it” voice votes on many items; detailed tallies were not provided in the public record for voice votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston City Council Meeting 9/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","On Sept. 9 the Charleston City Council approved renaming a park, passed an ordinance on third reading, took second- and third-reading action on multiple bills and annexations (items 1–19 as amended), and later approved a purchase-sale agreement for 995 Orchard Drive during executive-session follow-up.","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},6474032,"Council approves mediation settlement for after-the-fact demolition at 440 Sumter Street",173,1319000,1492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015&start=1319&end=1492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015/thumbnail_1319000.jpg","/articles/6474032/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-mediation-settlement-for-after-the-fact-demolition-at-440-Sumter-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474032-6582cd4bb8dddea6c26690c67eb963a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181956&Signature=Y2OXSjllOOW6ltMKYjOYFizGQwqUTiYu3In0jd-M91phgd1XdauOi4MnUVxCdjgQRXf7XsZYZwabWXYt6LvX4sLmIguDqJYOXo4Z3c2lO~0vvbZ3VsxqF~CiXLoxs8bgWPwjxa3908KE3IH0ca82SDFBy5zaFn5ptqoHvZh~cE24pzyWt5MVojjttCRmQxTpHaGQfYVUMw~t~Gs-RnRz0qpSPON1GJvQRG1SiljUeCjrz-~Yu88kJZ8TFT-JEY9472zemyaY1sPiqKHAGKaiT3F11qRoxelK5TCihvCyswEmnjV9XUc9YNqnkOcL6cMgmB2K-LXnicMqX13IADp39A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City council approved a mediated settlement on Sept. 9 resolving an after-the-fact demolition approval for 440 Sumter Street. The settlement requires the applicant to pay a fine of $1,087 and to replace one window on the west facade to better match the building’s original form.

BAR staff described the case as distinct from other after-the-fact demolition requests because the applicant had several permits and proceeded with piecemeal renovation; the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) had denied demolition approval due to a lack of supporting documentation such as an engineering report. After mediation, staff said an agreement was reached that imposed the fine and a window restoration requirement.

Why it matters: The case illustrates how the city handles unauthorized demolition in historically sensitive properties and how mediation can yield corrective actions and penalties rather than more severe enforcement or litigation.

Council exchanged questions about whether revisions to the BAR demolition ordinance under consideration would have changed the outcome. Staff replied the proposed BAR ordinance amendments would have been helpful in this case. The council voted to approve the mediated settlement by voice vote.

Ending: The council approved the settlement; staff said it would be available for any follow‑up questions concerning the specifics of the mediation.","Charleston council accepted a mediated settlement for unauthorized demolition at 440 Sumter Street, including a $1,087 fine and a requirement to restore one west‑facing window to match the building’s original form.",{"_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},6474037,"City unveils catalog of 1,800 historic maps after state grant, opens public access by appointment",637,1493000,2130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015&start=1493&end=2130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015/thumbnail_1493000.jpg","/articles/6474037/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/City-unveils-catalog-of-1800-historic-maps-after-state-grant-opens-public-access-by-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474037-5fe128c0cdfea871e2f554364fa26be6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181956&Signature=SV3vfuEa6COJ6jg92lLgAsrqkS2-9y-NxafrGtOEGnzrSp1kwj1RLX0mGXKPmspIRjBj77GqdAkYRS8q9KYZ3T2j664kk6HpqmjBSgac5ZJEueTr~9uhKLxXYREsjNxrQ1unK-uUQ6ateQVmh9b3rIbIaz08htnlAglhEV2UiHV4dVRhYMOw43wRJYNYUDjauaCXhuPGSDQr7xqR1iLv8ZAFtpPk9XrwniPl2g~6uKhrwATHMPDhgX7N-I1t2NJnirZ2xOXSWWZZjqrpb0tZBE37cTRewh5e6N0LsLXqg-327QObwiewoTPmEqs4GswEjKZ308weR-EarXqrQHxvew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Charleston staff on Sept. 9 presented the results of a cataloging project that made roughly 1,800 archival maps, plats and engineering drawings searchable and publicly accessible for the first time.

Records management staff said the work was funded by a South Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board grant that paid for a six-month project archivist and a collection-management program. “The grant enabled us to acquire a collection management program to hire a project archivist for 6 months,” Records Management staff member Meg Meyer told the council, noting that the collection previously was indexed on paper cards and hard to search.

Project archivist Jacob Mossbrook, a Clemson University historic-preservation student, and records specialist Kendall John described highlights from the catalog: a federal coast chart from 1886, Olmsted brothers plans for Cannon Park, a 1901 subway proposal blueprint, naval-base engineering plans, early-school-district maps showing segregation-era patterns, and auction plats. The presenters said the map collection ranges from the mid-1800s into the early 2000s.

Why it matters: The newly searchable catalog aims to make municipal maps and plats available to historians, planners, researchers and the public, and to inform present-day planning and conservation decisions.

Access and next steps: The records division said the catalog is publicly accessible online and physical materials are available by appointment at the Gilliard Center, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Records staff said they will continue to add metadata and expand the online finding aids.

Quotes from staff: “It was in cabinet system on index cards,” Kendall John said of the previous organization. Jacob Mossbrook highlighted items of public interest, including the Olmsted brothers’ plans and an 1886 federal coast chart that stretches from Hunting Island to what is now Isle of Palms.

Ending: Staff requested continued council support for archival work; no formal council vote was required.","City records management staff and interns cataloged roughly 1,800 historic maps into a new collection-management system with help from a South Carolina Historical Records Advisory Board grant; the collection is now searchable online and available to researchers by appointment.",{"_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},6474040,"Charleston council opens push to renegotiate Saint Andrews public-service agreement, urges legal options",2426,2210000,4636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015&start=2210&end=4636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742729-2133244c8cd903a530b884be8f20c015/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","/articles/6474040/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-council-opens-push-to-renegotiate-Saint-Andrews-public-service-agreement-urges-legal-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474040-ab3a6e071e3f34a2eab54714554937a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181956&Signature=GCOgMGywboZDnAlxaqX7u-x2TJWMALDemGS9nII0d1lJQbSTyeIgSkf5Jz-Pc3tORdDqaFe~8jwOxNeOaC~fNY0seEx-7s0VtkpO6ph7TpjLlQeVBTvv0iKki-n9~eKb4uL9VuuOK6MS4ENoNIjXpZfzecsT54XkT2h2bO7Gzko7vjOsEY2YVaENQdcQud6KSKC8RPMLrVu1wDcv-HM9Fk9G0WaSeakv8SnuM0eAgztp2zb23RJQMrLQDmDNGz0RzREebI6z76BHYR2SIX9gYJK0IdaWqEdqHgjsTHtRRjmM7Zux9IwF2FDeFpcgqVFOmRjPbXZj6cK2alfzZufiRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston City Council members on Sept. 9 discussed long-running questions about annexations from the Saint Andrews Public Service District (PSD), heard detailed service and cost comparisons from city staff, and directed the city attorney to explore legal options related to the city’s financial agreement with the PSD.

The discussion grew out of councilman John Waring’s presentation on the city’s outreach to homeowners considering annexation. “Our millage rate is lower than the millage rate of the public service district,” said Molly Connor, annexation director for the City of Charleston, explaining part of the city’s outreach pitch. Council members and department heads described differences in tax rates, water and sewer costs, and capital investment planned for West Ashley.

Council members said the public often receives inconsistent information about annexation and that the city has an interest in ensuring residents have accurate facts. Council tasked the legal department to return with a strategy for the existing financial arrangement with Saint Andrews PSD and to explore options consistent with state law to change future contractual relationships.

Why it matters: Many West Ashley properties are “inset” islands of PSD or county jurisdiction inside the municipal footprint. Council members said that confusion about which government provides services leads to poorer customer experience and, they argued, higher costs for some residents. Council members framed the effort as a push for transparency and better governance rather than forced annexation.

What council heard and asked: Annexation director Molly Connor described her work encouraging households to petition to join the city, and said that after petitioning some residents are approached by the PSD with information that “may not be true.” Police Chief Chido Walker, Fire Chief Curia and Charleston Water System (CWS) director Mike Seia each described the scope of the city’s services that accompany annexation.

Charleston Water System numbers presented by Seia included a general statement that CWS rates inside the city are “almost 40% lower” than outside-city rates and example annual savings estimates for customers who would annex: about $300 a year for very low-use households, roughly $600 a year for an average household, and about $1,800 a year for high-usage households. Seia also outlined planned capital spending in West Ashley: approximately $200 million in water- and wastewater-related projects over the next few years, including a major West Ashley transmission main extension and large wastewater replacements and pump-station projects.

Council’s legal direction: Assistant city attorney Louise Copeland (City Attorney’s Office) reviewed the current agreement framework required by state statute and confirmed the city had previously provided notice seeking renegotiation in February 2024. Council voted to task the legal department to “come back with a strategy to terminate this agreement” and to explore options consistent with state law for future contractual relationships with the PSD. The transcript records the direction but does not show a detailed legal plan or any immediate termination action.

Outcome and next steps: Council deferred an executive-session discussion until later in the meeting, later convened and returned with actions. Council accepted that legal will prepare options and to seek amounts owed by the PSD under the existing agreement. No ordinance or termination was voted at the Sept. 9 public session; the legal department was asked to return with recommendations.

Context: Council members repeatedly stressed that annexation remains voluntary and that the city is not forcing annexation. Several council members characterized PSDs as legacy entities whose continued existence can create governance inefficiencies. The city attorney reminded the council that state statute governs financial arrangements between cities and PSDs and sets notice and renegotiation timelines.

Ending: The council’s request to legal moves the annexation/PSD question from an informational presentation to the next phase of formal review. Any change in the interlocal financial arrangement will require follow-up work by the legal department and, likely, additional council action.","City council discussed annexation outreach, reviewed service and rate comparisons with Saint Andrews Public Service District and voted to task the city attorney to explore options to change or terminate the interlocal financial agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves park renaming, multiple annexations and ordinance readings; accepts a purchase-sale agreement

Council approves mediation settlement for after-the-fact demolition at 440 Sumter Street

City unveils catalog of 1,800 historic maps after state grant, opens public access by appointment

Charleston council opens push to renegotiate Saint Andrews public-service agreement, urges legal options