Criminal Defense Lawyer in James Island, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A James Island food pantry is expanding its reach, giving more Lowcountry families access to free groceries as many continue to feel the strain of rising food costs.

James Island Outreach recently celebrated the expansion of its food pantry, nearly doubling the size of both its shopping area and storage space. Leaders say the additional room will allow them to serve more people while offering a wider selection of food.

Unlike traditional food pantries that provide pre-packed boxes, James Island Outreach operates as a client-choice pantry, allowing shoppers to select the groceries that best fit their household’s needs.

“We doubled the size of our food pantry, which is really like a grocery, and also doubled the size of our stock room,” Financial Programs Coordinator Matt Whipple said. “It’s allowed us to serve the needs of our community in a much greater way.”

The pantry is stocked with fresh produce, meat, canned goods, pasta, cereal and other pantry staples. It has also been recognized as one of the Lowcountry Food Bank’s designated wellness pantries, offering foods across all major food groups.

For James Island resident Millicent Brown, the pantry is about more than just food.

“There is no shame to the idea that people want us to eat more healthily,” Brown said. “We recognize that many people are going through struggles with their budgets, whether it’s temporary or ongoing.”

Brown says the savings can make a meaningful difference for many households.

“The difference in a $200 food stipend or a program like this can make all the difference in the world,” she said. “Whether it’s $150, $200 or $300 a month difference, we all can benefit from that.”

Volunteers estimate families who use the pantry can save nearly $200 each month on groceries.

How to sign up

Eligibility is based on household income using the Lowcountry Food Bank’s income guidelines. Interested families can complete a simple one-page application through James Island Outreach.

The pantry is open:

Once approved, households can shop in the pantry once every four weeks.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Residents of James Island are raising concerns about a proposed development called Riverland Oaks, which would build a 95-lot townhome community in the area.

Neighbors say the project could worsen flooding and traffic problems that already exist.

Adam Friend, a James Island resident, said the area already experiences flooding and questioned the reliability of the development’s calculations.

“We already flood here,” Friend said. “The calculations that they’re using, being that they’re man-made, are just as good as the data you give them.”

Robert Summerfield, Director of Planning and Preservation, said the development plans to address stormwater through retention ponds.

“Those retention ponds will be designed to capture all of the stormwater that falls on this property,” Summerfield said.

Britt Travis, a James Island resident of more than 20 years, said she is not confident the ponds will be sufficient.

“What happens when the retention ponds flood? They’re coming right in my yard,” Travis said.

Residents also expressed concern about the potential removal of trees. Friend said trees play a role in water absorption.

“Mother Nature still tends to think of it as her area to put water when we have a lot of inundation,” Friend said.

Resident Jaxie Ferguson said the tree canopy is part of the character of the community.

“Part of the character of James Island to have all of these canopies around but also it is intrinsic protection,” Ferguson said.

It has not been confirmed that trees will be cut down. Summerfield said requirements are in place if removal occurs.

“Even if some trees are removed there are requirements for them to mitigate that with new tree plantings again the perimeter buffer requirement,” Summerfield said. He added that the developer intends to preserve as much tree canopy as possible.

Travis said the development would add a significant number of vehicles to local roads.

“But now you’re looking at putting 200 to 400 new cars on the Woodland Shores Road every day,” Travis said.

Ferguson said she has not seen information about impact fees or infrastructure funding to support the additional traffic.

“I haven’t seen that there’s impact fees or things associated with this so we’re not sure where the extra infrastructure for that is going to be,” Ferguson said.

Summerfield said the development will include an inter-neighborhood connection to help address traffic.

“It will also include an inter-neighborhood connection and those are vital to that traffic mitigation that I was talking about,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield also noted the project is still in an early phase.

“It’s also the concept plan so this is one stage of a multi-stage process,” he said.

Residents said they want their concerns heard. The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at 5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston County leaders are considering an ordinance to let the James Island Public Service District borrow $11 million in bonds.

The money would fund three upgrades — two for fire stations and one for a solid waste facility.

The James Island Public Fire District serves the town and district of James Island while also assisting Folly Beach, the City of Charleston and the Gullah Geechee Corridor.

Fire Station Four has been in use since 1982. Fire Chief Mark Davis said repairing the building is not cost-effective, especially given its coastal location.

“Here on the coast, we’re obviously prone to severe weather, not only tropical storms and hurricanes, but other types of events. So, this will give us a facility that will last as well into the future,” James Allen Public Service District Fire Chief Mark Davis said.

Ashley Kellahan, district manager for the James Allen Public Service District, said the station’s location adds to the cost.

“It is in a flood zone area, so that’s where a lot of the cost is coming from, unfortunately,” Kellahan said.

Plans call for demolishing the existing station, raising the ground above the floodplain and constructing a new facility. That project is estimated to cost about $9.5 million.

The proposed bond would also fund a new solid waste storage yard to hold debris during emergencies. That project is estimated to cost about $1.5 million.

Walter Desmond, director of environmental services for the James Island Public Service District, said the yard will only store vegetative debris.

“It’s going to benefit the island for many, many years, and it’s strictly vegetative debris. We will not be storing bulk debris on there and there will be no garbage of any kind on there. It’s just a place where we can store debris until we can transfer it to another facility,” Desmond said.

The site is intended to reduce commute times for crews during post-storm cleanups.

The more than three-acre property is located off Folly Road next to the Old Church of God.

“Our goal is to tread lightly and respect the neighbors in the area. And, you know, not be making a bunch of noise and racket there at all times,” Desmond said.

Desmond said if funds are approved, he hopes to have the site running by next year’s hurricane season.

The remaining funds would renovate a patio area at Fire Station One, with a budget capped at $400,000. The project would create a centralized wellness center for crew members from all James Island stations to use fitness equipment, get mental health support and receive cancer screenings.

“I think it’s a morale booster for our employees,” Kellahan said.

“Provide a facility for our firefighters that is safe for them and something the community would be proud of,” Davis said.

If Charleston County Council approves the proposal, officials will move forward with issuing the bonds and choosing a contractor. Leaders said the project will not raise current taxes. Davis said it will be a few years before the new fire station is fully built.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — A proposed townhome development on James Island is drawing opposition from residents who say the project would put additional strain on infrastructure and reduce valuable wildlife habitat.

The proposed Riverland Oaks development would bring 95 townhomes to approximately 28 acres of land between Woodland Shores Road and Stefan Drive. The project was approved by the City of Charleston Planning Commission on July 15 after commissioners determined it met city standards. It will now move into the city's technical review process.

While some neighbors say they understand the need for growth in the Lowcountry, they believe this particular property should remain the same.

"This is an island. There's only so much space on it," resident Gracja R. said.

She said the proposal is personal because of the impact she believes it would have on local wildlife.

"It hit home for me because just the wildlife in general that is about to not have a home and a place to live," she said.

In response to the Planning Commission's approval, members of the Woodland Shores Road Coalition launched an online petition on July 27 opposing the project.

Adam Friend, who started the petition, said the coalition has gathered more than 1,470 signatures in about a week.

"I started the petition online about a week ago. We have over 1,470 signatures, which in a week's time is actually pretty exemplary," Friend said. "It does show that the community in general is on board with feeling like enough's enough."

Friend said the coalition is not opposed to growth but wants city leaders to consider how the development could affect the surrounding community.

Some residents also say they felt their concerns were not fully heard during the planning process.

"I don't feel heard entirely since being there," Gracja R. said. "We were kind of told to hurry up, cut off."

Residents say they plan to continue organizing opposition to the development by collecting signatures, distributing flyers and encouraging more people to speak out as the proposal moves through the city's review process.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Concerns over a proposed Riverland Oaks development on James Island have grown into a full-scale petition.

The project would bring 95 townhomes to roughly 28 acres of wetlands and green space, and it’s already cleared its first hurdle with the city.

The petition has already received more than 1,500 signatures in a week.

“It’s wrong, and it’s just happening too much in this area. Like, when is enough going to be enough?” Ester Peterson, a resident of Woodland Shores Road, said.

Tucked between Woodland Shores Road and Stefan Drive sit 28 acres of trees, wetlands and wildlife residents want to protect.

But the land’s zoning from decades ago allows up to six housing units per acre.

“Should have been reevaluated. Things are not the same as they were in the 1980s. Then that’s jeez, that’s just common sense,” Peterson said.

And it’s not just protecting green space; traffic and increased flooding are also major concerns for families in the area.

“Our yard will be a foot, foot and a half underwater when we get 2, 3 in. of rain. And this is a wetland back here. Whatever you do, when you develop it, you can’t escape that that’s headwaters of these rivers,” Jillian West and Nathan West, residents of Woodland Shores, said.

The petition calls on the city to buy the land and preserve it as permanent green space or a park, but the city says its hands are largely tied because the project has already begun the entitlement process.

“We have a responsibility on City Council to ensure that the city’s taxpayer dollars are not put at issue in litigation. And it’s something that we take very seriously,” Ross Appel, a Charleston City Council member for District 11, said.

The city stresses that this project will still face a rigorous review process that has already reduced the number of units from 153 to 95.

“Not only does new development not flood itself and others, it actually improves the stormwater condition from an entire basin standpoint,” Appel said.

But residents aren’t convinced those safeguards go far enough.

“Say if you really understand the data, you have an obligation to protect the people around here too. You know, just because they have the right to do it, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right thing to do,” Adam Friend, a resident and Woodland Shores Road Coalition founder, said.

And if this property were to be sold for permanent protection, the city says they are open to that conversation.

“If the City of Charleston is invited to participate in discussions, we’re always ready, willing and able to entertain those and play a positive, constructive role,” Appel said.

For now, residents say they will keep fighting, and the city wants to make it clear these plans are not final.

The developer still must complete the full development review process before any construction can begin.