Zoning & Planning

Facilities and Services Contributions

• Subject to permitting from DOT and the County's approval of the removal or encroachment of any trees in the scenic road right-of-way or buffer that may need to be removed or encroached upon, the Property Owner shall design and construct a left turn lane on River Road at the primary entrance. Construction of the left turn lane shall be completed within one year after the issuance of the first Certificate of Occupancy for a dwelling unit.
• The Property Owner shall provide to the Charleston County Community Services Directorate (CCCSD) $1 million over 5 years at $200,000/year with the first payment to occur within 30 calendar days following the date of issuance of the first annual review letter and the subsequent four payments to occur within 30 calendar days following the date of issuance of each subsequent annual review. These funds shall be held in escrow for the preservation of existing dwelling units and development of Workforce Dwelling Units and Affordable Dwelling Units.
• The Property Owner will pay a flat fee of $4,166.67 to the Charleston County Community Services Directorate (CCCSD) for the development costs associated with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, Inc.'s affordable housing initiatives at the time of each first generation closing to a third-party person or entity that is not affiliated with the Property Owner, or in which the Property Owner wholly owns or controls such entity. These payments will be made up to a cap of $500,000.00 representing 120 first generation lot sales.
• The Property Owner will pay $215,000.00 which is approximately 50% of the cost of a fully equipped ambulance (total cost est. $430,000), once 50% of the dwelling units receive certificates of occupancy (to support public safety); and
• The Property Owner will pay $450,000, which is approximately 50% of the cost of a new fire engine apparatus, with the payment made once 50% of occupancies are built or completed during the development of the Project (to support St. John's Fire District).

Tree Protection Requirements, Removal, and Mitigation

Grand Trees and Protected Trees Proposed for Removal or Encroachment through the approval of the Development Agreement (as shown on Exhibit 14.1) BZA Approval not required, mitigation required as follows:

• Mitigation is required for trees that are removed (does not apply to those that are encroached upon).
• Grade A and B trees: Mitigation must be on an inch per inch basis with a minimum of 2.5" caliper trees.
• Grade C trees: Zoning & Planning Director to determine if mitigation is required based on tree condition.
• Mitigation trees may be planted on site or off site on Johns Island or through payment into a tree fund created for planting trees on Johns Island.
• Trees encroached upon by more than 25% must be monitored by an arborist for at least 5 years and if they do not survive, must be mitigated as outlined above.

Trees Not Approved for Removal or Encroachment through the Development Agreement (Trees not shown on Exhibit 14.1):

• BZA approval is required for the removal of Grand and Protected Trees;
• Encroachments for up to 35% of the protected area maybe allowed when the Zoning and Planning Director approves a Tree Preservation Plan submitted by the applicant and developed by a certified arborist.
• BZA approval is required for encroachments of more than 35% of the protected area.
• The ARB may approve the removal, encroachment upon, replacement, protection, preservation, and mitigation requirements for all other trees that are not Grand or Protected Trees (trees that are not in Scenic Road Right-of-Way, Scenic Road Rights-of-Way buffer, or the perimeter buffer).

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If you have questions about this development, please contact the Charleston County Zoning and Planning Department at (843) 202-7200 or by email at Planning@CharlestonCounty.org.