October’s Council meeting covered the biggest land deal the Town has made in years, a pause on large data centers, the future of the Faison Road property, and a vote on who gets to call a special meeting. Here’s what happened, what it costs, and how I voted.

1. The Republic tract on Highway 41

Council unanimously approved a settlement that lets the Town buy about 129 acres for $28.5 million. It becomes a passive park with more than two miles of Wando River waterfront. The owner keeps about 56 acres, annexed into the Town and capped at 95 single-family homes. Under county zoning, that land could have carried around 1,600 units.

I voted yes. That’s a lot of money, and I don’t take it lightly. But 1,600 more homes on Highway 41 would have meant traffic, schools and infrastructure costs that taxpayers would carry for decades. Next comes a 90-day due diligence period, and closing could happen as early as April 2027. I’ll be watching to make sure we get exactly what we’re paying for.

2. A pause on large data centers

Council passed a moratorium on large-scale data centers as a primary use. I voted to extend it to two years (that amendment passed 6-2) and voted for the final ordinance, which passed with one no vote. Staff told us no hyperscale data center has shown interest yet. That’s the point: we get our zoning right before an application shows up, not after. The pause costs taxpayers nothing.

3. Faison Road: the residents decide first

The Economic Development Committee recommended a request for proposals on the Town-owned Faison Road property. I made a different motion: an independent economic feasibility and land-use study, with a town-wide public input process, before we invite developer proposals. It passed 6-2.

This is public land. Before the Town commits to anything, whether that’s a YMCA partnership, an aquatics center or trails, we should know what it costs to build, what it costs to run every year, and what residents actually want out there.

4. Calling special meetings

An ordinance to change the rule that lets any three Council members request a special meeting failed on a 4-4 vote. I voted no. State law already lets Council set its own rules, and requiring five members to sign on to a request means a majority of Council is coordinating outside a public meeting. That’s a transparency problem. The current rule works and keeps meetings in public.

5. Oakland Plantation townhomes

A request to amend the Oakland Plantation PD for 87 townhomes on about 6 acres came up for first reading. The Planning Commission recommended denial. The proposal is 16 units per acre, compared with 9 normally allowed for townhomes. A motion to deny outright failed 2-6, and the item went back to the Planning Committee 6-2. I voted for the deferral because I asked staff for a side-by-side of the tax revenue under current zoning versus the proposal. I want the numbers before I vote. It’s back on the Planning Committee agenda Monday, November 2.

6. Where the money went

These passed unanimously:

• $2.5 million, five-year lease-purchase for public works equipment: 4 garbage trucks, a loader, a backhoe, 2 mini dump trucks and 3 pickups.
• $588,883.64 to build the parking lot at 516 Coleman Boulevard, in partnership with Charleston County Parks and Recreation.
• $142,500 in Accommodations Tax grants to 13 events, including $23,000 each for the 2027 Cooper River Bridge Run, the Wine + Food Festival and SEWE. This money comes from the tax on hotel stays, not from property taxes.
• A $124,645 state Highway Safety grant that pays for a traffic enforcement officer, with no Town match.

What’s next

• Monday, Nov. 2: Committee day at Town Hall. On the list are Flock license plate cameras, zoning for vape shops near schools, Oakland Plantation and data center zoning.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6:00 PM: Town Council at 100 Ann Edwards Lane, and on the livestream.
• Saturday, Nov. 7: LOWVELO Day in Mount Pleasant, supporting cancer research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

If something on an agenda affects your street, email me at jiacofano@tompsc.com. I read every one.

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Paid for by Iacofano for Town Council