Welcome to the 4th Month of 2024
Entering April, we as a community have a lot happening, we will also see change in the surrounding areas of Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Kiawah River Estates.
Are we glad to see construction happening on the back lots. It has been a little less then 20 years since buildings 7200 and 7300 were completed.
Several reasons below for why I think (my opinions only) this could be beneficial.
1. Building new condos will basically bring more funding into the community. Don't be confused at the talk about how much it will bring in. We must remember that contracts created for three buildings may increase as 2 more sections are added. Final costs and funds brought in will be noticed after the construction is completed and HOA assessments are being paid.
2. The construction company has promised other services to our community, see last months blog for details.
Charleston County
On March 21, a County Council committee voted on the five-year review update to the County's Comprehensive Plan. A key proposed change in the update would positively impact Johns and Wadmalaw Islands by eliminating certain density bonuses outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
The ribbon cutting for the Northern Pitchfork was held on March 25. This project is a welcome addition to the road network on Johns Island. It connects Maybank Hwy at Fenwick Hall Allee (where the new traffic light is located) with upper River Rd. Drivers will only be able to make right hand turns from the Pitchfork onto River Rd. Drivers on River Rd will be able to make either left or right turns onto the Pitchfork.
Medical Facilities: It was announced that Roper Saint Francis will open an urgent care facility in the shopping center at Maybank and Bohicket (where KJ's Market is located). An opening date was not provided. Trident expects to start construction of their Johns Island Emergency on Maybank Highway in 2024 and finish by the end of 2025. A timeline for building their proposed 50-bed hospital has not been provided.
The US Army Corp of Engineers and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control have opened a public input period for the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Mark Clark Extension project (aka 526). The stated purpose of the project is "to increase capacity of the regional transportation system, improve safety, and enhance mobility to and from the West Ashley, Johns Island, and James Island areas of the Charleston metropolitan area".
(The Johns Island Advocate)
Kiawah Island / Seabrook Island
Over the next five years, double digit population growth is anticipated in the Sea Islands communities. This growth, along with the islands' geographic isolation, demographics, and community health profiles, has created an urgent need for additional health care services in this part of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
- The community is home to a large population of seniors, who generally have a great need for both outpatient and emergent health care services. By 2024 there will be around 31,000 additional residents ages 65 and up in the service area.
- Total trauma transports to MUSC have increased by 52 percent since 2016 for these residents. Injuries related to falls have doubled over the last two years.
- The community also has a large seasonal population of tourists, many of whom have trouble navigating local health care services.
The MUSC Health Sea Islands Medical Pavilion will help meet the demands of the growing community with its 12,056-square foot facility that is slated for completion in late 2025. Construction on the facility will begin in 2024. Just my though here... the location still seems like it is the older area that was rejected, due to lack of exit road availability. I believe we need to keep an eye on this whole project to see if it actually come to fruition.
(MUSC Healthcare)
Seabrook Island
Just a short mention of the somewhat battle/argument/tussle/on Seabrook Island pertaining to the possible cap on short term rentals and the impact these may cause on property values. A short-term rental study special committee was appointed on January 23, 2024. "The purpose of the committee is to bring together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town and to recommend a comprehensive set of policy proposals that address the topics including;"
- Limiting the number of short-term rental units operating within the town;
- Limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rental units within the town;
- The imposition of fair and reasonable fees and taxes related to short-term rental units;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life and safety of short-term rental unit occupants;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life, safety, and quiet enjoyment of neighboring property owners and the community at large; and
- Other fair, reasonable, and enforceable policies related to the operation of short-term rental units within the town.
The itemization of topics above is not intended to imply what recommendations the committee will make, nor what action (if any) Town Council may take on the committee's recommendations.
Good Luck
We have to say good luck to another neighbor who has left Indigo Palms Way. Susan Curren, our neighbor from 7136 has sold her unit and has relocated to one of the oldest cities in the country. Susan has moved to St. Augustine Florida, where she has bought a beautiful single-family home. Her daughter lives close to her and she told me she has enough room now to have her second daughter and family cane come for extended visits. Join me in wishing Susan much success and happiness in her new home.
Final Image
Sun behind cloud cover
Acrylic on watercolor paper
Final Image
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| Sun behind cloud cover Acrylic on watercolor paper |
