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When people say Johns Island will be built out or become completely suburban, they don't understand what we've accomplished over the last fifteen years to make sure that sort of sprawl never happens. And by we, I also mean people who support 526, like Leon Stavrinakis.
First of all, there is an urban growth boundary. Only a fourth of the island is inside the boundary. Zoning outside the boundary is rural. More importantly,Johns Island doesn't have the water to support large-scale development. The plan to extend a large water pipe to Johns Island was defeated about seven years ago and a much smaller water pipe was installed instead.
When you hear people say there are tens of thousands of homes planned for Johns Island, you know they are full of it. There isn't water available for nearly that many homes.
What part of Johns Island is inside the Urban Growth Boundary? I believe it is the area of River & Maybank. This seems to be where all the major development is planned.
When people say Johns Island will be built out or become completely suburban, they don't understand what we've accomplished over the last fifteen years to make sure that sort of sprawl never happens. And by we, I also mean people who support 526, like Leon Stavrinakis.
First of all, there is an urban growth boundary. Only a fourth of the island is inside the boundary. Zoning outside the boundary is rural. More importantly,Johns Island doesn't have the water to support large-scale development. The plan to extend a large water pipe to Johns Island was defeated about seven years ago and a much smaller water pipe was installed instead.
When you hear people say there are tens of thousands of homes planned for Johns Island, you know they are full of it. There isn't water available for nearly that many homes.
None of those things can't be overcome by demand and money.
What part of Johns Island is inside the Urban Growth Boundary? I believe it is the area of River & Maybank. This seems to be where all the major development is planned.
That's basically it. There is also an area close to Kiawah and Seabrook inside the boundary.
"Johns Island (approximately 13 sq. mi.)
Johns Island has the most rural character of
all the land masses in Charleston. Situated
within the urban growth boundary at the
City’s edge, Johns Island is appropriately
dominated by lower density residential uses
and agricultural designations. Conservation is
the largest zoning category with almost 37%
of the land area. Light Industrial has nearly
14% of the land area, but this is attributed to
the large industrial areas around the Johns
Island Airport. Johns Island has seen a great
number of new developments approved in
the past decade, although the recent economic
down turn has affected them all, by
either preventing any construction of leaving
unsold units in recent developments."
There's a meeting today as one of the last ditch efforts to complete I-526. Actually, it was supposed to be private, but somehow leaked to the media. The City Mayor T and Rep Limehouse will try to make an effort to work out a deal and just submit a plan to complete Phase I for now. Phase I connects west Ashley and Johns Island. They may try to separate from the SIB (State Infrastructure Board), ask for the money the county invested, and ask to build it themselves without the SIB. Anyway, I hope a bit of hope today, as I had given up on I-526.
So i'm generally against the 526 completion, although I'm somewhat of a "roadgeek" and I must admit there is something annoying about not following theough with the original plans, especially in a case like this where a neighborhood won't be destroyed in the process (thankfully that era is behind us).
But I also like biking and new urbanism and sustainability and the environment and I'm peeved that some want to spend nearly a billion on this highway but refuse to throw a bone to the cyclists who need to cross the water too.
Which leads me to this hypothetical proposition for the purpose of discussion with the likes of Silver Fox who is such a fan of this project (understandably so, he has a very personal stake):
What if the only way to guarantee completion of 526 was to, in effect, truncate the final segment of expressway (the JI connector) and turn it into a full urban boulevard with bike lanes and sidewalks and an enforceable speed limit of no more than 35-40 mph for cars?
My logic for this idea is as follows:
-the expressway will already end at Calhoun Street, necessitating a lower speed limit in the last 2 miles at least, and probably already at 35 a mile before the expressway ends.
-this would be a compromise on the Legare crossing for bikes if that project ultimately doesn't pan out. Yes it would make it harder to get to West A but then again it would be easier to get to JI and most importantly, a safe crossing would exist for peds and cyclists.
-IMO, the view from that bridge is the best view of Charleston. I am sure many others will agree with me. Shouldn't we all slow down and take the time to appreciate it? Even if it's the 1000th time it doesn't become any less beautiful. Imagine if one could take a sunset stroll with those marshes and that view of the city.
Any takers? Would you support a project that allows you to gain considerable time on the front end of your commute to downtown while delaying you just a little at the end of the trip to see your project to "near" completion and throw a bone to those of us who are only asking for a safe way to cross?
As a bicyclist who rides Carta and my bike to work daily, I have never understood those in the bike community that feels the populace should fund major work to address the .01% of us that ride. I love bike lanes and funding areas for me to ride, but I'm also realistic that I'm clearly in the minority and when money is tight I just can't justify hollering "What about me!".
Steel, the only part they will consider now is the Phase I segment, from West Ashley to Johns Island.
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