Charleston City Council Meeting January 27, 2026: Proclamations, Annexations, and Public Comments
Charleston City Council Meeting Summary – January 27, 2026
The Charleston City Council convened on January 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM (estimated based on agenda order). The meeting included proclamations for International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the West Ashley Junior Wildcats, multiple public hearings on annexations, and citizens' participation. Key discussions centered on traffic concerns related to a CarMax annexation in the Melrose neighborhood.
Consent Calendar
- All nine public hearing items (annexations of properties including 2089/2083 Savage Road, 1031 Terracotta, 1603 Jasmine, 2016 Ironstone Alley, 4037/4045 Halein Street, 875 Print Street, 1442 Edgewater Drive, and 23 Furman Drive) were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- Council minutes were approved by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Anthony G. Bryant (citizen): Expressed concerns about the city's rules of decorum and spoke against a state bill that he claimed would criminalize groups of three young people as a gang. He argued the bill unfairly targets poor youth and called for fairness in annexation policies (citing Daniels Island as an example where annexation favored white residents).
- Frank Walsh (22-year resident): Described a safety issue at the Gaillard Center following a fire alarm during a symphony, noting that the building's age and the advanced age of patrons made evacuation difficult. He asked to speak further with officials about improving safety.
- James Rogers (Melrose resident since 1967): Voiced opposition to CarMax's proposed entrance on Eddawan Avenue, stating that tractor-trailers currently use the residential street, pose safety risks, and that a prior site plan had shown the entrance on Savage Road. He presented photographs of car haulers stopping on Eddawan.
- Brian Hellman (CarMax representative): Explained that CarMax's new overflow parking lot entrance on Eddawan was redesigned after county input to improve traffic flow on Savage Road. He noted that trailers would unload on the main CarMax property, not on Eddawan, and that the new site would increase capacity for safe unloading.
- Michael Wiggins (Melrose resident): Referenced a 2011 traffic study showing 1,793 cars passed through the Eddawan intersection in 12 hours. He argued that adding a CarMax entrance would worsen congestion and urged that the entrance remain on Savage Road as originally planned.
- Online comments: Two online submissions were noted – one from Mr. Bryant (sent to council separately) and one from a citizen criticizing the first amendment ordinance as excessive and infringing on free speech.
Discussion Items
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day Proclamation: Mayor Cogswell read a proclamation recognizing January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A Holocaust survivor's family member (Anita – last name not given) spoke briefly about her parents' experience and thanked the city for the recognition.
- West Ashley Junior Wildcats Recognition: The council honored the West Ashley Junior Wildcats football team for an undefeated 2025 season (18 wins, 0 losses). Fourteen players were named all-stars, and 16 players achieved A or A-B honor roll. Coaches Daryl Capleton and others were recognized.
- Amy Wharton Recognition: Councilman Waring recognized Amy Wharton, a city employee of 25 years, for her exceptional service and dedication. Wharton expressed gratitude but noted she dislikes being the center of attention.
- Annexation of CarMax Property (Items 9, 10, 12): Discussion focused on the proposed CarMax annexation and overflow parking lot, with residents raising traffic and safety concerns about the Eddawan Avenue entrance. Councilmember Sheeley suggested a community meeting with residents of Melrose and Long Branch subdivisions before proceeding further. The mayor noted that annexation is only the first step and that future site plan review will provide additional scrutiny.
Key Outcomes
- The council unanimously approved all nine annexations (Items 1-9) and the council minutes.
- Second reading and third reading/ratification were also approved for Items 9, 10, and 12 as amended, by voice vote.
- A bill for first reading (right of way of CWS) was approved without discussion.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Call this January twenty-seventh, two thousand twenty-six meeting of City Council to order. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Councilmember Greg. Here, Councilmember Sheeley, Councilmember McBride, Councilmember Pulquet, Councilmember Brady, Councilmember Di Alessandro, here, Councilmember Waring, Councilmember Seekings, Councilmember Tinkler, Councilmember Bowden, Councilmember Appel, Councilmember Scardon, Mayor Cogswell. Here. Oh, Di Alessandro. Okay. Never mind. I'd like to call on Councilmember Di Alessandro to give the invocation and lead everybody in the pledge. Should I just bend over like this? On this day of remembrance, let us think of those that were unable to escape horrendous injustices. Let us think of those forced into horrendous injustices. Let us leaders at the local, state, and federal levels have compassion for those wanting a safe and hopeful life. But unhesitatingly, you ran to save us Jews. Amen. We are uh honoring the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Whereas January 27th is recognized by the United Nations and the international community is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945. And whereas the Holocaust stands as one of the history's most devastating manifestations of state-sponsored hatred, resulting in the systemic murder of six million Jews and millions of other victims, including Roma, people with disabilities, political dissidents, LGBTQ individuals, and others targeted by Nazi ideology. And whereas the Holocaust did not begin with violence alone, but with words, policies, and the gradual erosion of democratic norms, human dignity, and truth. Whereas remembrance is not a passive act, but a moral obligation that compels societies to confront the consequences of hatred, anti-Semitism, indifference, both past and present. And whereas anti-Semitism and other forms of hate continue to threaten communities across the United States and around the world, making Holocaust education and remembrance, urgent civic responsibilities rather than historical formalities. And whereas education, commemoration, and civic leadership play a vital role in fostering empathy, safeguarding democratic values, and ensuring that future generations understand both the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of silence in the face of injustice. And whereas the city of Charleston affirms its commitment to human dignity, dignity, pluralism, and the responsibility of local government to stand clearly and publicly against hatred in all of its forms. Now, therefore, I, William S. Cogswell, Mayor of Charleston, do hereby proclaim January 27th, 2026 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Would you like to say a few words? Or Anita? We can all light our candles here. I'm sorry I'm not prepared with words in front of me, but I can tell you that my parents were Holocaust survivors. So this day is very important to me. I have been in Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is it was so powerfully upsetting to be there at a time like we're celebrating and commemorating at this moment. I greatly appreciate all of you in the city of Charleston for what you do for us as members of the Jewish community, your love and your caring, and the fact that we are having an event like this today means so much to my family and to our community. Thank you for keeping us as part of our community because we have a rich heritage here in Charleston, and we thank you so much and look forward to many years of working together and then to never forget what has happened in the past, so we can never allow it to happen again. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Absolutely. Okay, we have one more proclamation tonight. I'd like to ask coach Daryl Capleton. Capleton. Oh, yeah, I'm ready. And the West Ashley Junior Wildcats teams and their coach. Come on in, guys. Come on in. Come on up. How are you, man? Good to see you. Like that medal. See you. Good to see you.
openpublica.com