James Island officially opposes I-526
provided by the Coastal Conservation League
The James Island Town Council officially passed Resolution #2009-02 on July 7, in opposition to I-526. The full text of the opposition is listed below:
Town of James Island, SC
Extension of I-526 Across James Island
WHEREAS, the Town Council for the Town of James Island, SC has been approached by the Coastal Conservation League, Sierra Club, Charleston Green party, and Islanders for Responsible Expansion as well as other opponents of the project to oppose and object to the State, County, and Federal funding of I-526 from James Island to Savannah Highway, US 17; and
WHEREAS, numerous residents of Johns Island have expressed their desire before the Town to keep Johns Island rural and free from overdevelopment; and
WHEREAS, the Town’s legal counsel has determined that in the event the Town temporally and physically has standing to object to the project, the Town may pass a resolution with respect to the funding of the I-526 project in its currently proposed variations; and
WHEREAS, regardless of the route variation selected, any extension of I-526 onto James Island would bring a continuous flow of new Charleston-bound traffic onto the James Island Expressway, and the merging required by this new high-speed traffic would negatively affect James Islanders entering and passing beneath the Expressway; and negatively affect the already severe traffic problems within the Town on Folly Road (Highway 171) near such intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Extension of I-526 may not make it easier for James Islanders to evacuate James Island before a hurricane; and
WHEREAS, the Extension of I-526 would most likely increase development, crowding, and traffic problems on James Island; and
WHEREAS, the Extension of I-526 would increase air pollution on James Island by routing additional vehicles across the island every day; and
WHEREAS, the Extension of I-526 would seriously and irreparably harm portions of our nearby environment and wetlands; and
WHEREAS, diminution in value and enjoyment by those residents affected by noise, lighting and view shed loss, whether owners of property abutting or beneath the proposed footprints, or who recreate at the Charleston County Park, Municipal Golf Course, or upon the Stono River, appears unquestioned.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Town Council for the Town of James Island by a majority vote has determined that in the event standing exists;
1. That insufficient evidence has been presented to establish the project known as I-526 will significantly improve the quality of life for the residents of the Town of James Island, yet
2. The opposition is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the Town adopted on March 27, 2007,
3. The Federal, State and County Transportation Agencies should abandon the Extension of I-526 through, above, or over any parcel of land within the Town of James Island’s limits.
IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED, this 7th day of July, 2009.
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