Tweet
Charleston leaders fight Morris Island development plan
BY JASON HARDIN
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Charleston City Council on Tuesday added its voice to the campaign against a proposed development on Morris Island, unanimously approving a resolution opposing plans for a luxury home development there.
A number of speakers expressed support of the resolution Tuesday. Morris Island, which sits at the entrance to the harbor near Fort Sumter, needs to remain as it is, they said.
"It cannot be lost to development," said Peter Beck, president of the Charleston chapter of the Surfrider foundation.
Those opposed to the development cite both environmental and historical reasons. The island is a temporary home to migratory shorebirds and would be harmed ecologically by development, opponents say.
The barrier island also was the site of the famed assault by the 54th Massachusetts Infan-try on Battery Wagner, which was portrayed in the movie "Glory."
"Many men on both sides lost their lives on Morris Island," said Wayne Clark, a Civil War re-enactor. The remains of many soldiers are still there, he said.
Developer Harry Huffman has proposed building some 20 houses near the northern tip of the island. Charleston County zoning would allow only a fraction of that amount.
The resolution, introduced by Councilman Henry Fishburne, opposed any development beyond that now allowed by county zoning.
The proposed development has attracted opposition from a variety of groups, and the town of James Island recently passed a similar resolution.
Mayor Joe Riley said that any development on Morris Island would be a "travesty."
He said the island should be purchased by the public for preservation.
Click here to return to story:
Nora Kravec
Morris Island Coalition
BY JASON HARDIN
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Charleston City Council on Tuesday added its voice to the campaign against a proposed development on Morris Island, unanimously approving a resolution opposing plans for a luxury home development there.
A number of speakers expressed support of the resolution Tuesday. Morris Island, which sits at the entrance to the harbor near Fort Sumter, needs to remain as it is, they said.
"It cannot be lost to development," said Peter Beck, president of the Charleston chapter of the Surfrider foundation.
Those opposed to the development cite both environmental and historical reasons. The island is a temporary home to migratory shorebirds and would be harmed ecologically by development, opponents say.
The barrier island also was the site of the famed assault by the 54th Massachusetts Infan-try on Battery Wagner, which was portrayed in the movie "Glory."
"Many men on both sides lost their lives on Morris Island," said Wayne Clark, a Civil War re-enactor. The remains of many soldiers are still there, he said.
Developer Harry Huffman has proposed building some 20 houses near the northern tip of the island. Charleston County zoning would allow only a fraction of that amount.
The resolution, introduced by Councilman Henry Fishburne, opposed any development beyond that now allowed by county zoning.
The proposed development has attracted opposition from a variety of groups, and the town of James Island recently passed a similar resolution.
Mayor Joe Riley said that any development on Morris Island would be a "travesty."
He said the island should be purchased by the public for preservation.
Click here to return to story:
Nora Kravec
Morris Island Coalition
Comment