September 23, 2025 City Council Meeting: MUSC Overlay, Agenda Amendments, and Settlements
September 23, 2025 City Council Meeting: MUSC Overlay, Agenda Amendments, and Settlements
The Charleston City Council met on September 23, 2025, at 8:58 PM. Key actions included approval of the Medical University District (MUSC) overlay zone after a public hearing, passage of several agenda amendments, and settlement of a short-term rental dispute.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the previous meeting. (Passed unanimously)
- Approval of appointments to the Commission on Disability and code officer positions. (Passed unanimously)
Public Comments & Testimony
Public Hearing on MUSC Overlay District:
- Anthony Bryant spoke about past BZA service and opposition to the Patriot Act, but did not directly address the overlay.
- Adam Friend (James Island) questioned why MUSC receives special treatment and felt the process was predetermined.
- Joseph McGee (Hollis Village Association) supported MUSC growth but urged refinements: requiring a campus-wide stormwater plan, removing 261 Calhoun from overlay, softening campus edges, and requiring traffic studies.
- Lisa Jones (Historic Charleston Foundation) supported keeping MUSC but requested height increases be limited to 200 feet and moved away from neighborhoods, plus historic evaluation and public notice for demolition.
- Josh Dix supported the overlay as critical infrastructure and noted benefits for stormwater and affordable housing.
- Justin Ferraro (developer) supported the height increase as a capacity need and cited comparable hospital heights elsewhere.
- Elizabeth Brannard (Radcliffe Borough Neighborhood Association) expressed concerns about traffic and parking but appreciated changes.
- Dr. Cole (MUSC) emphasized the need for certainty to build a world-class cancer center and highlighted opportunities for stormwater and traffic improvements.
- Brian Turner (Preservation Society of Charleston) supported zoning creativity but raised concerns about demolition exemptions and land sale restraints.
Citizens' Participation:
- Anthony Bryant repeated earlier comments and criticized the wealth gap.
- Deanna Miller (James Island) urged council to consider cumulative flooding impacts from development on Grimble Road.
- Online comments (55 in opposition to Zero Folly Road annexation, plus others) were submitted.
Discussion Items
MUSC Medical District Overlay: Josh Martin (City Planning) presented the overlay, detailing changes to uses, parking, height districts (increased to 200 feet in growth areas, 250 feet for mechanical), BAR demolition review exemptions, stormwater third-party review clarification, tree protection (1-to-1 replacement in growth areas), and accommodation uses (two hotels up to 250 rooms, subject to standards from §54-20). The overlay applies only to MUSC-related properties.
Council discussion included questions on parking mitigation (Councilman Seekings described bus network and future Lowcountry Rapid Transit), concerns about property disposal (Councilman Gregory) – answered that overlay lifts if sold to non-MUSC entity. Several council members expressed support, noting compromises and MUSC's long history. Councilman Appel argued hospital deserves favored treatment. The overlay was approved on first reading with a second reading set for October 14.
Agenda Amendments:
- Stormwater design standards manual update (added from Public Works Committee) – approved.
- Morrison Drive median safety project financial agreement ($245,680 from SCDOT) – approved for public safety exigency.
- Affordable housing acquisition: Two lots on Hanover Street for $550,000 to be purchased using Cooper River Bridge TIF funds – added as amendment to Ways & Means agenda and approved (one nay).
Mediation Settlement – 30 Ashton Street: Property owner had permit for short-term rental (STR) 2021-2024 but was denied in 2025 due to square footage exceeding accessory use. Settlement terms: owner will not apply for STR permit again and will not engage in STRs; city will not prosecute prior violations. Approved.
Executive Session (Charleston School of Law): Council entered executive session and later returned. A settlement agreement was approved, and an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute a quitclaim deed was added and approved on first reading (one nay on addition).
Key Outcomes
- MUSC Overlay District (First Reading): Approved unanimously (voice vote).
- Stormwater Manual Update: Approved as added to agenda.
- Morrison Drive Median Safety Project Financial Agreement: Approved.
- Affordable Housing Acquisition (Hanover Street lots): Approved as part of Ways & Means agenda (vote count not recorded but one nay on agenda amendment).
- Mediation Settlement (30 Ashton Street): Approved.
- Settlement Agreement and Quitclaim Deed (Charleston School of Law): Approved (first reading of ordinance, one nay on addition to agenda).
- All other routine approvals (minutes, appointments, bills) passed unanimously.
Note: The next meeting for second reading of the MUSC overlay is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
IT, if you could put us up on YouTube. I'd like to call this September twenty-third, two thousand twenty-five meeting of city council to order. Madam Madam Clerk, would you please call the role? Councilmember Greg. Councilmember Sheeley. Here. Councilmember McBride. Here. Councilmember Mitchell. Councilmember Brady. Councilmember Gregory. Councilmember Waring. Councilmember Seekings. Councilmember Tinkler. Councilmember Bowden. Councilmember Appell. Councilmember Parker. Mayor Cogswell. Here. I'd now like to ask Councilmember Appell to give the invocation and lead of everybody lead everybody in the Pledge of Allegiance. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So Jewish people today all over the city of Charleston and all over the world celebrate the holiday of Rosha Shanah, which is the Jewish New Year. It's not quite as fun as the new year. There's no fireworks and there's much less drinking. And um, and I even made time to be with y'all today, despite despite that. So I'm gonna lead a quick um prayer. Part of what Rosh Hashanah is is the birthday for the world. And that's a world we all share. And so the this prayer is called a beautiful world. And God saw everything that he had made and found it very good. And he said, This is a beautiful world that I have given you. Take good care of it, do not ruin it. It is said before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them. Finally, he created this one, and he was satisfied. And he said to Adam, this is the last world I shall make. I place it in your hands, hold it in trust. And that's what we're doing here today in a little piece of the world we call the city of Charleston. Try to conduct our business today and make the world a better place. But just did want to recognize all that he has done for our city. He has incredible vision. I have a lot of respect for him. He's done good things for this city in terms of operations and bringing about a broader vision and uh pushing us to think holistically. So want to take an opportunity to just thank him for his service. Um now getting into uh presentations and recognition, I'd like to invite Councilman Gregory, Councilman Waring, um, Councilman Mitchell up to the stage, uh, as well as um uh Charlton Singleton with Moja, uh, who's the artistic, of course, director of the Mojo Arts Festival, Christine Johnson, who is the 2025 Moja Arts Festival poster artist, and Tommy Brown Jr., who is the featured musical performer, and then also um I believe we have Mr. Darren Lee Calhoun with Avery. If you wanted to come up here as well, um just wanted to let everybody in the audience know, and those that might be listening that Moja kicks off this week. We have a lot of incredible performances going on. It's uh hell of a good time every year, and really do appreciate Charlton your leadership and all that you have done and congratulations to the award winners and the performers.
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