I recently took the time to look up the word “progress” in the dictionary. No small task for a coyote with paws. Progress is defined as “the process of developing something over a period of time”. Back in 1994 our state legislature required every town and city to develop a Comprehensive Plan. A Comprehensive Plan is a guide for elected officials to use as they administer goals and regulations. The law requires that Comp Plans be re-evaluated every 5 years and updated every 10 years. Sullivan’s Island’s Comprehensive Plan beautifully defines our town. It places special emphasis on the its unique character, charm, history, and land. It affirms our desire and our duty to maintain the standard of living we have come to expect.
As required, the Planning Commission completed its re-evaluation of our Comp Plan in May of 2013. On May 8, 2013--almost a year ago--the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the 2013 Comp Plan and then recommended that Town Council adopt the Plan as presented. Now, here’s the part that starts getting a little smelly. As you may recall, we had an important election the next week. New mayor, new mayor pro tem, new council member. But curiously, this Council has ignored the responsibility of adopting our Comprehensive Plan as state law requires. Why would they do that? Now almost a whole year has gone by, and still no action has been taken on its adoption. What is going on?
The fox is not the only furry, four legged, canine-looking animal considered to be cunning and sly. We coyotes have a few sly genes in our DNA, and I think there may be a great, great great uncle on my mother’s side of the family who saw a cute little fox one day and ….But, I digress.
I think the 7 members of this Town Council are intentionally choosing to be non-compliant in the adoption of our Plan. Crouched and curious, I am beginning to think they have their very own Behind-The-Scenes- Comprehensive Plan. Yikes! I also think that their Plan shares no relationship with its state-required counterpart. That is a pretty strong accusation, right? My nostrils are flared. My fur is going up on my back. This tells me I am on the right trail. I think I’m gonna call this investigation The Trail to the Truth. All right, let’s get started...
Please read this paragraph describing the main vision of the 2013 Comp Plan (found on page 93 of our Comprehensive Plan):
“Changes in the community should be given careful attention in order to assure that there is not a loss in the character and charm of Sullivan’s Island. It is this ambiance that has drawn people to live here since the 18th century. The main vision of the Comprehensive Plan is to preserve the residential character of the Island and the commercial area in a condition very similar to how they currently appear, working to preserve the memory of Sullivan’s Island from the past two centuries.”
The Comprehensive Plan has 4 goals. Here are those goals and the evidence that this Council has chosen to reject them.
Goal 1: To protect the Town’s special sense of place.
Fact: This Council has endorsed an excessive, hedonistic commercial district that caters to off-island, young adults and tourists. They have caused unwanted problems due to out-of-control drinking and partying. St. Patrick’s Day lasts for days and is no longer a family-friendly event. It has become a dangerous, criminal exhibition of indecency and reckless behavior.
Fact: This Council chose to ignore a state-certified petition entitling Islanders to right to vote via a referendum.
Fact: This Council is currently selling off our greatest assets - town property.
Fact: Current police reports show that 98% of all crime and police involvements deal with non-residents. Trespassing, home break-ins, automobile break-ins, alcohol and drug arrests are on the rise.
Goal 2: To protect single family, residential character.
Fact: This Council initiated and supported one islander’s attempt to radically change an historic neighborhood from single family to multi-family use.
Goal 3: To value and preserve the integrity of the Island way of life.
Fact: This Council gives more attention to the needs of visitors and tourists rather than focusing on the needs of residents.
Fact: This Town Council wants to expand the Commercial District on Middle Street. This would result in more eating establishments, storefronts, and a huge increase in congestion and traffic issues.
Fact: This Council has not addressed the lack of parking all over the island. The Commercial District cannot accommodate non-residents now.
Goal 4: To protect sights significant to the Town’s history and natural beauty including beaches, marshes, and other natural areas.
Fact: This Council applied for and received grant money that could significantly change the (protected) Accreted Land. Boardwalks, decks, and benches could be constructed from Station 16 to 26.
Fact: Opening this pristine, natural green space to non-residents would result in more parking horrors for residents.
Fact: This Council gave away a $30 million of prime, front beach real estate that could have paid for all infrastructure needs, town improvements, a new town hall, and established a healthy, rainy day fund. The size of the school is considered a blight by many residents, all of whom now must also endure an increase in taxes and fees while trying to cope with unwanted traffic, and an infrastructure that is already maximized.
So there it is. It is as plain as day. The actions of this Town Council do not complement our stated goals. And to further flare the nostrils, and fuzz the fur, just last week Mayor Perkis sent a directive to all council members asking them to review the Comprehensive Plan and to present proposed amendments by April 2014. How can this be? It is already a year late. It has already been updated by the Planning Commission, presented to the public, and forwarded to Council for adoption…not amendment.
I know this Trail to the Truth has been long, and I apologize, but here is the importance of my Whiney Coyote rant today: We are at a tipping point on our Island. We are either going to maintain our "Mayberry by the Sea" quality of life, or we will start looking more like Daniel Island or Myrtle Beach. I know that you take enormous pride in our culture, out traditions, our history, our old homes, and our natural resources. I think you want to maintain our "simple" way of life.
“Backwards” is my favorite speed on our island. I see this kind of progress not only as unnecessary but UNWANTED. This Whiney Coyote will put every paw on the line to prevent this island from further harm in the name of “progress." In fact, my paws and your feet could march together - a grand army of islanders indeed - who want this island to be preserved and protected. So….
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