Published Thursday, October 02, 2008 11:34 AM
Updated Thursday, October 02, 2008 11:35 AM
Summerville is virtually landlocked. To expand and grow in a healthy nature and to ensure a high quality of life for not only our citizens, we’ll have to annex. But if we continue to waffle on what’s best for the town simply because certain areas do not want new development near them, we’ll face nothing but higher taxes, deteriorated parks, dirty streets and higher crime rates that detract from our quality of life.
Brownsville residents do not want anymore traffic on Highway 78; neither do Pine Forest nor White Gables residents on Central Avenue; Newington and Tea Farm do not want anymore on Highway 17-A; just as Quail Arbor and Evergreen residents do not want anymore on Bacon’s Bridge Road; and of course Dorchester Road residents want no more traffic as well.
As councilmen, we’re left between a rock and a hard place because of Not In My Back Yard fever. So as elected officials, we have to make the hard choices and stand by them, but it’s time all the facts are laid out on the table.
The reason Councilman Jamie Feltner and his activists were opposed to this development is because it’s on Dorchester Road – a road he’s had no qualms about saying shouldn’t have anymore development. Where does Councilman Feltner live? Dorchester Road.
I live in Newington and have to travel Main Street everyday whether it’s to go to the YMCA to workout, stop off at Town Hall to perform my duty as a councilman or to pick up a carton of milk at Mr. K’s. I would love it if there wasn’t an additional car added to the road, but I live in reality.
I didn’t pitch a fit when The Ponds was approved by Dorchester County Council, yet that community will put approximately 4,000 more cars on Main Street every day until the Berlin G. Myers Parkway extension is finished. There was no concurrency, only $100 per home for the schools and no major road improvements. Conservation groups though lined up to support the development. Many of them are the same people who are now opposing any other developments near where they live – Dorchester Road.
The reality is Summerville does a better job managing growth than Dorchester County or North Charleston. As my fellow Councilman Bob Jackson pointed out in a recent editorial, the prior two developments we approved as a Summerville Council were Limehouse and I’On.
Limehouse had concurrency. It was smart growth and step to building better communities. It’ll be situated between a four-lane Dorchester Road, a four-lane Berlin G. Myers Parkway and Highway 17-A, which are the three major roads it’ll access. Limehouse also gave five times as much money per home to the school system than The Ponds did.
I’On went beyond that. An infill project that provides density in a place that has multiple access points to major roads (Central Avenue, West Richardson and West Fifth North Street). They also went six times beyond what Limehouse agreed to give the schools per home, making it 30 times greater of an impact fee than The Ponds gave.
The point I’m getting at is this: Jamie Feltner and others, what have you done to manage growth other than shut it down? To me, that’s not managing it; it’s taking the easy way out. To really be out for controlled, managed growth we need solutions and quite simply, the small, vocal minority hasn’t proposed anything but rhetoric, while the majority on Summerville Town Council has quietly been doing real work.
Bob Flowers
Summerville
Bob Flowers is a member of Summerville Town Council.
Bentley; : 10/14/2008
I agree with you about the these gentleman with there service for our county, however that doesn't automaticly give them the vision of what Summerville should look like. The answer is not build more houses and appartments. The answer going forward should be to recruit business and industry into the area, and not the Homebuilding industry. Keep building only homes and it will be a slow death. Summerville deserves to prosper, not die! We do agree on many issues, but you must be tied to the Homebuilders to keep insisting to build more homes is the correct thing to do. And I wish you a nice life as well, just bring business and industry, no more houses right now.
To Speechless : 10/13/2008
Still here, on DL for awhile. But hey! Bob Flowers is a true American Patriot serving many years as an Air Force Officer and defending our country unlike many of the bloggers on this page. His service to the town over the years has been consistent and he is very well supported by another veteran on council: Mayor Myers who landed on Normandy to defend our country and keep us free, or maybe we don't even have a Summerville. I also like and will vote for McCain Palen, truly great Americans. I like these old school guys not becasue I'm old school, but I recognize FLowers, Berlin Myers, and others before have built a very good town for all of us and our grand children going forward. Wish you, Speechless had less venom and vinegar and more vision. Have a nice life! Maybe you should try looking for the good in our town, I mean, maybe the glass is half full?
Where's Bentley? : 10/8/2008
Where's my buddy Bentley? He has answers to everything and solutions to nothing!
: 10/7/2008
Realistically, we are going to have to annex to avoid getting eat up by North Charleston and surrounding areas. But we need a carefully thought out and methodical approach to development.I'm exasperated by the nonchalant approach. We absolutely must work on this issue in a regional manner. There's nothing worse than coping with strain on our infrastructure when we know tax revenue goes over the boundary to Berkeley County. We need protection against development right on the edge of town.
Agree with you Don; : 10/7/2008
Soon we are not going to be able to pay for what we have created, (I hope I'm wrong). So why create anymore that obviously we can't pay for?
See a Pattern Here? : 10/7/2008
The financial meltdown IS a result of greed and profiteering.The methodical stripping away of regulations prevented any decent oversight and hence we wound up bailing out the financial whiz kids. It's a very similar situation right here in town. If we don't provide any planning or oversight, we will be forced to pay for the new schools, sewer, roads, public safety while the developers walk away with profits. It's about accountability, and paying for what you create.
Growth Management this comments for you : 10/7/2008
The failed economy is not the result of overbuilding, its a meltdown from the poor practices of encrusted politicians and regulatory stiffs Washington DC and the rating agencies in NY. Thats a lethal combination for putting people into loans they should never have had. This becomes a domino effect. Overbuilding is a market condition that ALWAYS corrects itself with the principles of supply and demand.
Take Responsibility : 10/6/2008
I find it hard to believe that people have the nerve to continue to push a failed plan. The national economy is in the tank because of overbuilding and terrible financing practices. Our infrastructure is failing and all they can say is let me build what I want, when I want and you have to pay for the impact. I have heard plenty of solutions provided and they say none have been offered. They label people who push for managed responsible growth as No-Growth. People in the housing industry from the developer to the financial institutions need to take responsibility for what they have done and admit that there must be a better way. I'm tired of bailing them out.
Sensible Planning is Not "No Growth" : 10/6/2008
The economy is the very reason we’re concerned about planning, so it is more than “much ado about nothing.” When you add people there’s a greater demand for services and somebody has to pay for it. You cannot continue to build and build and expect us to absorb the cost of the necessary infrastructure and an eroding quality of life while a few line their pockets.In this economy we cannot afford many new expenses. The developers and realtors are making a great effort to reposition anyone who questions their plans as “no growth.” That is simply and absolutely untrue. A substantial number in our community are asking that we try to find a balance and learn to compromise. The pendulum has swung too far to the profit margins at the expense of quality of life. But if you are going to make a profit (which in my book is OK), and you are creating a greater demand on our limited community resources and infrastructure, it is only fair that you pay to fund the additional resources. Traffic is only one symptom that there is an imbalance in the picture. Safety and security are of paramount importance, and with unchecked growth resources like EMS, Police, and Fire Protection are strained. That high crime rate you mentioned? Do you REALLY want longer response times if you need help? Of course not but that’s exactly what’s in store for our future. Talk to local public safety personnel. And when the Superintendent of Schools comes and pleads that the schools are getting overwhelmed, it’s amazing to me that some on Town Council will turn a deaf ear and pronounce it “not our problem.” When developers know that they have four votes in the bag, they know up front that they don’t even have to negotiate. We lose in that deal.That’s not good business for Summerville.
Here's how it was presented to me and I agree with Kelly Lax who researched and spoke at the meeting. : 10/6/2008
I was there too....... : 9/16/2008 And I saw a very well thought out commentary by Kelly Lax: the property is already zoned for multiple uses in the county. The complaining residents didn't seem to believe this. But I believe Ms. Lax is smart enough to check this out before espousing what she said: its much ado about nothing as the existing county zoning will allow apartments among many other uses. So the annexation is a non-issue. What many people and Mr. Pye seem to be saying is no more growth. That is really the discussion: The issue is growth versus no growth. The zoning allows construction of multi-family just like the town zoning. If you don't want growth, convince four voting members to bring back the moratorium. Much ado about nothing
In case you're wondering, its the economy stupid : 10/6/2008
All of your anti- growth comments will only bring our slightly breathing economy to a screeching halt. There's not any thoughtul concerns for making budget, paying our bonds, bills and keeping our community with a good credit rating by any comments here. If all you care about is your own fiefdom and how you might be inconvenienced with "oh my God Traffic", then we are doomed to a dismal future. Wake up please: traffic is everywhere in the US and we can't afford Rail and if we had it most wouldn't ride it!! You offer no solutions only "don't let anyone do anything with their property unless I approve it." Traffic inconveniences are certainly better than no traffic (ie. no commerce). Look for the closed up buildings and high unemployment in failed communities. Also notice the high crime rate. I've seen it & its not pretty. If you had your way we would be in much worse shape than we are now. I for one think Waring, Myers, Flowers, and Brown are bright people & make decisions for the betterment of the town. Again, you offer no solution other than "go away developer/annexation." Can you share some positive comments where 130,000 people of Dorchester County can co-exist plesae? Enough venom thank you.
Always someone else's fault! : 10/5/2008
First indication of who's side you're on, when all you do is blame someone else or something else for all your problems, makes you a LIBERAL! Thanks for showing us your true colors Mr. Flowers, now we know. Blaming Dorchester County and certain individuals for all Summerville's problems I believe was a mistake.
: 10/5/2008
Get rid of them? The problem is, given the opportunity, we don't. We keep voting for people because we know them or they're our friends, and we cast aside the issues. Mr. Waring squeaked by last time. It seems he would have been a little more cautious in his votes because of his narrow victory. Maybe he's thinking that voters will forget after four years. Maybe he's wrong.
Politics : 10/5/2008
They attack Feltner because he stood up and reminded them of what they said they would do for the people. They don't like it when someone reminds them of their committments. We need to get rid of all three of them. Flowers, Waring and Brown need to go.
Additions to the record; : 10/5/2008
For whatever reason, Bob Flowers goes on the attack of Feltner. Well, Annette Young Personally appeared before Town Council, and one meeting she had a statement read to them by County Council Chairman Larry Hargett opposing this annexation. Joe Pye also spoke out in person at a town council meeting against this annexation. So why has Bob Flowers chosen to go on the attack of Jamie Feltner? I'm not sure, we'll have to ask Feltner or Flowers, I'll keep my opinion to myself on that one. There have been several local elected officials opposed this annexation, but the majority on town council has never heard them.
Bull : 10/5/2008
What real work have Flowers,Waring and Brown done? Nothing! They approved this annexation without any restriction at all. No impact fees for schools or roads. Feltner was right to oppose this development and any other development in DD2 territory, especially on Dorchester Road.
Points completely missed; : 10/4/2008
The only thing Summerville Council has done is to keep the good growth "out of Dorchester County". Example being, drive north on Main St. and look at things just as you cross the county line. For the record, lets understand something, residential growth DOES NOT pay for itself. Without commercial and industrial growth, we will die a slow death. Taxes will have to go up just to maintain all the services that everyone has come to expect and want. And the town of Summerville does nothing for the schools, except populate them. Why one councilman recently made the statement that he didn't care about the schools or Dorchester County. If I'm not mistaken, that's your friend Mr. Flowers, Ricky Waring.
That's My Point : 10/4/2008
They are just letting planning pass them by. I want them to do some planning.
To truthsayer : 10/4/2008
Bob didn't miss the point. You did. His point was that Summerville has gotten more for the roads and schools than anybody else has. They are just sitting around letting planning pass them by.
Do Your Job : 10/4/2008
Bob misses the point again. Instead of complaining about not having the money to build roads and schools, he should be helping to get the state funding for schools and roads. He needs to do his job. Stop approving the developments until the schools and the roads are built. The people in the Town and the County will pay much higher taxes to build the roads and schools for these developments than would have to pay without growth.
Representative Democracy.....ok, I looked it up... : 10/3/2008
It say's "charged with the responsibility of acting in the PEOPLES INTEREST"......but the representative does not necessarily have to do that.....so, I did learn something, but that does not change anything.....The peoples interest were not acted on in this case...most of the people who were at the meetings spoke against this annexation......the councilmen who voted for this used the "increased tax base" excuse...and failed to realize that it is not always about the money......To use the phrase "the chickens will come home to roost"....in this case they will, at election time.....I have now seen letters in the SJS from two of the councilmen who voted for it, kind of seems like they are feeling alittle guilty and have a need to explain themselves.......
Representative or direct democracy .... : 10/3/2008
Does not matter: Bottom line is the MAJORITY of the people were against this annexation and it was still voted for. The couniclman did not represent the people and that is the real issue, not not the "representative or direct" democracy BS......
Correct analysis : 10/2/2008
The county did not require anywhere near what the town required for the Limehouse Development and Ion. What this does is make it harder for the end user to buy in Limehouse versus the Ponds. The extraction of "impact fees" always falls on the end user and makes whats almost unaffordable definitely unaffordable. We need to always balance these fees with the final result or we will price housing out of reach for most residents in our county. There needs to be better funding for roads and schools, but not at the expense of higher housing costs. While Summerville gets more fees, I am not happy with any of it. Seems we are taxed enough. And if Feltner had his way, we would see even higher taxes and fees as he seems to believe in this.
Bob Flowers couldn't have written this; : 10/2/2008
Dear Mr. Flowers, or whomever wrote this. Take note, Jamie Feltner is a representative of his constituents, that happen to be mainly on Dorchester Rd. I know that notion escapes you, but you need to think about what you have just said. And what are you elected to do??
Representative democracy : 10/2/2008
To 'hard choices' Look up the word reprentative democracy and stop using it as the direct democracy definition. Bob Flowers is doing the right thing.
"hard choices and stand behind them" : 10/2/2008
NO you do not have to make the hard choices...all you have to do is vote the way the people you represent want you to....it is not your decison, you were elected to vote the will of the people who put you in office......elected officals seem to forget this...they vote their choice even if it is completely opposite what the people who elected them want......You are a represenative of the people....not a decision maker.
Count Again : 10/2/2008
Mr. Flowers- I know you to be a sincere and honorable man, but it's a misconception to think that the people who are wanting sensible, controlled growth are a small minority. Please count again. In fact,If all the people in all of the areas that you mentioned don't want the traffic, that tells me that they probably favor some limits so our infrastructure can keep pace with development.Yes,annexation is important. But we are asking that Town Council think things through rather than automatically rubberstamp anything that is seen as merely profiting the town's coffers. If developers know they automatically have your vote, they don't feel they even have to negotiate.The town and the school district lose. There has to be a balance between quality of life and growth. But it doesn't seem like some folks are willing to expend the effort to look for that compromise.