Hot Issues
Watson Hill
In 2004, developers presented plans for a 6,600-acre parcel of land, located just six miles north of Drayton Hall along Ashley River Road and directly
across from Middleton Place. Plans called for a "build-out" of approximately 4,500 dwelling units, consisting of single family homes and townhouses, a
golf course, preservation of wetlands, recreational facilities, churches, and commercial buildings fronting Ashley River Road.
Such a build was projected to result in an increase in population of 10,000 or more, a huge increase in traffic, and similar increases in demand for public services including fire protection, water, and school systems. And in order to build 4,500 dwelling units, Dorchester County would have to change its zoning ordinances from one unit per eight acres to one unit per one acre.
Drayton Hall has voiced its opposition to zoning changes because of the many negative ramifications on the historic and scenic Ashley River Region and the lack of infrastructure to support such a mega-development.
Currently, the development of Watson Hill is on hold until the courts rule on the competing attempts of North Charleston and Summerville to annex land that would, one the one hand, incorporate Watson Hill into North Charleston, where zoning laws allow a greater number of housing units per acre, or, on the other hand, keep the land in Dorchester County, forcing the county to keep or alter its zoning laws.
"What distinguishes the whole Ashley River area is its ambiance. The drive is distinctive. The surrounding properties help paint the picture of the area's history. The approaches, the vistas, and preexisting environment all add to our understanding of the site."
-- Marcia and Bill Ruwe, Friends of Drayton Hall, Constantia NY
Regulatory Takings
In the early spring of 2006, a constitutional amendment and the legislation enabling it came up for debate in the S.C. Legislature. In the House of Representatives the amendment, known as H.4502, provided that "a private owner of real property is entitled to just compensation if a land-use law reduces the fair market value of the land." It is known as the Regulatory Takings provision.
From a local standpoint, this bill would mean that:
- No new historic districts could be created as older neighborhoods gain importance.
- No changes to the existing historic districts on the peninsula would ever be made again.
- The Ashley River region, would continue to be developed and would likely be destroyed as there are very few controls in place to protect the area right now.