Mount Pleasant Town Council Special and Regular Meetings – September 9, 2025

The Mount Pleasant Town Council convened a special meeting at 9:00 PM on September 9, 2025, to enter executive session for personnel matters, followed by a regular meeting beginning after 6:00 PM. The regular meeting included proclamations, longevity awards, public hearings, and votes on zoning ordinances and a $60 million waterworks bond. Key actions included appointments to town boards, rejection of a board member removal, approval of the waterworks bond, and deferral of an annexation request pending further discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Longevity Awards: Recognized Hillary Repick (30 years), SRO Temika Brown (25 years), and Detective Danny Nees (30 years) for dedicated service.
• Minutes Approval: Approved minutes from the August 12, 2025 special and regular meetings and the July 2025 financial statement.
• Proclamation: Declared September 14–20, 2025 as Business Appreciation Week.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Spedden (3429 Timmer Kiln Circle) urged council to form a committee to oppose Charleston County's proposed 'Road to Compromise' for Highway 41, citing gridlock and danger.
• Mike Van Horn (Iron Bridge Tribe) reminded candidates of an October 16 candidate forum and advocated using budget reserves to increase police staffing and pay.
• Kevin Coonane criticized the mayor for opposing line-of-duty cancer protection for firefighters and failing to address police and fire staffing shortages.
• Kurt Thomas (candidate for mayor) called for restored trust, better public safety investment, and smarter growth planning.
• Ellen Moore questioned the $60 million Waterworks bond, citing lack of public input, rising water rates, and insufficient scrutiny of expenses.
• Alex Cattel, victim of a home invasion, thanked police and council for their response and expressed community resolve.
• Dana Coleman (10 Mile community) opposed annexation of four properties, arguing it would weaken the historic district and allow incompatible development.
• Paul Franklin (Exchange Club) invited the public to a membership open house.
• Larry Kobrowski (County Council member) apologized for previous disrespect to the town, opposed annexation in 10 Mile, and warned of increased traffic.
• Waring Howe urged voters to attend candidate forums and criticized a candidate who owns vaping businesses.
• Craig Askey (10 Mile community) asked council to preserve the historic Gullah Geechee community.
• Jeremy Manchester (property owner seeking annexation) offered to accept lower density (1 unit/acre) to align with community wishes.
• Perry War requested longer public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• Waterworks Bond (Consent Agenda): Final reading of an ordinance authorizing issuance and sale of up to $60 million in bonds for Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW). MPW General Manager Clum and CFO Coffee answered questions about the bond's purpose (new deep well, fleet facility), rate impacts (3% of recent increase), bond rating (AAA), and assistance for low-income customers. The bond was approved by a voice vote.
• Annexation & Zoning (10 Mile Community): First reading for annexation of two parcels into the town with Community Conservation (CC) zoning (3 units/acre). The parcels are within the 10 Mile Historic Overlay, and council noted that development would be subject to a current moratorium limiting new lots. Approved.
• Detached Accessory Structure Heights: The Planning Commission recommended reverting to 20 ft in the Old Village Historic District and keeping 25 ft elsewhere, with an additional 10 ft side/rear setback for portions over 18 ft, plus a 40% maximum of principal structure size. Councilman Chapman added an amendment that new construction cannot exceed the existing principal structure's height. The motion passed 5-3 after debate about unintended consequences (e.g., encouraging teardowns). Referred back to Planning Commission for public hearing.
• Building Area Ratio (BAR) for Old Mount Pleasant: Motion to expand BAR (50% of lot area or 2,500–5,500 sq ft depending on lot size) to the Old Mount Pleasant area to control mass and scale. Passed 6-2 after discussion of its impact on property values and drainage benefits. Also referred to Planning Commission.
• Personnel & Board Appointments (Special Meeting):
  • Appointed Georgette Rivera to the Historical Commission (unanimous).
  • Appointed Andrea Corneck to the Board of Zoning Appeals (unanimous).
  • Reappointed Brett Bennett to the Planning Commission (unanimous).
  • Motion to remove Deidra Kennedy from the Tree Task Force failed 2-6 after council members cited lack of due process and First Amendment rights.

Key Outcomes

• $60 Million Waterworks Bond: Approved on final reading (Ordinance 25045).
• Board Appointments: Three appointments confirmed; removal motion rejected.
• Annexation (10 Mile): First reading approved; two additional annexation items deferred (motions to defer passed 7-2 and 8-1) to allow applicants to modify zoning requests.
• Zoning Code Amendments: Both the height restrictions for accessory structures and the BAR expansion were approved to proceed to public hearing and further readings. Council emphasized the need for robust community outreach.
• Next Steps: The regular meeting adjourned; council will reconvene for a monthly meeting on the same date.