JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) – A development project that has been in the works for more than 20 years is now moving forward faster. <\/p>\n
The Johns Island neighborhood and golf course is expected to get the green light from Charleston County leaders at Tuesday night\u2019s county council meeting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an unusual project because they\u2019re asking for less than they were allowed, which doesn\u2019t happen a lot,\u201d Charleston County Councilmember Herbert Sass said.<\/p>\n
Sass added that the change will further preserve green space there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also increases the amount of open space dramatically with the new plan than the old plan. It\u2019s 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\u2019s other open space,\u201d Sass said.<\/p>\n
Sass said it will have its own wastewater treatment plant for just that property and a farmers market that may get built near it.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the main traffic is coming off of River Road. It\u2019s not coming off of Bohicket Road, so there\u2019ll not be much traffic going in there except for going into the main shed for the golf course,\u201d Sass said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t feel the need after the first.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese folks have done a really good job. They\u2019re local. They understand they live here in this community. They want everything to be done right, and they do things right, and so we\u2019re 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,\u201d Sass said.<\/p>\n
The Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization Department, which focuses on housing and communities, will get $1 million in property funds. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey heard about what we were doing and decided to earmark a very generous donation,\u201d Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Director of Development Emily Speck said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Speck added that the heart of what her organization does is making sure people have a safe place to live, and she believes that\u2019s the goal of the local developers too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s what makes John Island great,\u201d Speck said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a win-win for the community,\u201d Sass said.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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