County CouncilCounty Council’s roles include approving the yearly county budget and capital improvement projects, and creating legislation via ordinances, resolutions and proclamations. Council members serve a four-year term.NOTE:This candidate’s responses were not available before our publication deadline. Voters are welcome to encourage the candidate to share their views. Updated responses will be posted as they are received.
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Brian Cooke for Charleston County District 8
I would highly recommend approving programs such as the recently completed Dale Morris Ecological Park by the City of Charleston, as part of the Barberry Woods Drainage Improvement Project . We should see flooding not as a hindrance, but as an opportunity.
This project provides multilayered positive outcomes that goes beyond just drainage. This park will be a benefit to not only the community, but to nature as well. In a rapidly developing area such as Johns Island, it is important to protect habitats for animals. We should move beyond thinking of storm water projects in the language of drain pipes and ditches. By using nature based solutions, we can create green infrastructure that will over time become even more resilient.
The Charleston County Greenbelt program, which has preserved 27,950 acres has been a unmitigated success. This program is more than just preserving land, it's good governance. The Greenbelt program helps balance growth and ensures that our county remains livable, and beautiful for generations of Charlestonians to come.
Our current County Council has unfortunately laid the burden of all the costs of the programs we need on the backs of the citizens of Charleston County. We need development to pay their fair share.
We should explore developmental impact fees where new construction is charged a fee to help pay for expanded services. We should work with our state legislatures to pass a concurrency law. Concurrency law conditions development approval on whether roads, drainage systems and public safety facilities are adequate. If not, the developer must negotiate with the county to ensure they pay their share for upgrades. If the legislature fails to pass this legislation, we must seriously consider the pausing of cluster development until infrastructure catches up to the growth.
The Charleston County Comprehensive Plan mentions working with only three municipalities, Charleston, North Charleston, and Mt. Pleasant. Are these the only towns or cities worthy to be included in the decision making process? Do the citizens of Ravenel, Hollywood, and Meggett not pay taxes to the county? We must ensure that every town or city in Charleston County is included in developing a future that benefits everyone.
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