Two variances denied, one intersection fixed, 150 shopping carts collected, and a gas station in limbo

City of Charleston · Committee on Community Development
Committee directs staff to develop three DRB reform recommendations
Following discussion among committee members, the mayor, and Councilman Tinkler, the committee coalesced around the mayor's suggestion to ask staff to identify three specific DRB modifications that would expedite review and signal market seriousness about West Ashley revitalization. Ideas raised included area-specific design criteria, reducing the three-stage conceptual-preliminary-final review process, and replacing the blanket 50-year demolition rule with survey-based designations. Staff indicated they would target a return to the committee in June or July 2026 with discrete recommendations for prioritization.

City of Charleston · Board of Zoning Appeals – Zoning (BZA-Z)
Mixed Outcome for Historic Service Station Redevelopment at 211 Rutledge
The applicant proposed relocating a historic 1950s cinderblock service station for restaurant use and adding seven residential units on the same lot, drawing strong support from the Cannonborough/Elliotborough Neighborhood Association for its walkable urban design. The board approved the variance waiving off-street commercial parking but rejected the density variance for seven multi-family units on a 3-2 vote amid concerns about short-term rental conversions. The split decision leaves the project's residential component in question, while the commercial restoration element may still proceed.

City of Charleston · Board of Zoning Appeals – Zoning (BZA-Z)
Board Denies Morrison Drive Multi-Family Variance Tied to FEMA LIMWA Zone
The applicant at 975–989 Morrison Drive argued that FEMA's Limited Wave Action zone rules physically prevent enclosing ground-floor space, making a traditional active-use requirement impossible to meet. They proposed a public park, plaza, and mobile coffee vendor as a street-level alternative, but preservation and conservation groups countered that no unique hardship existed and public use could not be guaranteed. The board denied the variance 4-2, siding with staff and opposition advocates.

City of Charleston · City Council – Committee on Transportation
Council Approves MOU to Realign Maybank Highway Intersection on Johns Island
Councilman Seekings presented a Memorandum of Understanding to address traffic concerns at the Southwick Drive and Maybank Highway intersection, a three-way junction serving two major new developments. The approved plan shifts Southwick Drive roughly 500 feet east to create a four-way signalized intersection with St. John's Woods Parkway, funded by a $782,000 escrow contribution from Heritage Capital. Cooper Development must complete the realignment within three years or the escrow funds will be used to signalize the original intersection instead.

City of Charleston · City Council
City Market Vendors Plead for Parking Relief After Port Property Sale
Three longtime Charleston City Market vendors told the council they were unexpectedly displaced from over 100 dedicated parking spaces following the sale of port property to the Beemok Group. The vendors described the physical hardship of loading and unloading merchandise without access to nearby parking and urged the city to grant access to lots or to provide garage parking vouchers. The issue was not resolved during the meeting, but drew visible attention from council members.

City of Charleston · Committee on Recreation
Rugby club proposal faces environmental and scheduling hurdles
The Charleston Outlaws Rugby Club asked the committee to approve a public-private partnership allowing the club to invest in Coach Stanley Chisolm Park in exchange for guaranteed match dates, noting that 13 rugby organizations in the area lack adequate field space. Staff revealed the park sits atop a capped contaminated landfill, making lighting installation a complex, state-regulated process that may not be feasible, and that the field is already shared by five groups totaling roughly 45 permitted uses per year. Council Member McBride indicated he will consult with staff on environmental feasibility and meet with club president Chris Maloney to explore a revised proposal.

Charleston County School District · CCSD Chief Financial Officer
District recommends $18.5 million in new personnel investment for FY27
The budget includes step increases totaling $10.7 million, a 3% raise for non-certified staff, and a $2,718 increase for certified teachers with all starting at step five. These investments are described as a deliberate effort to remain competitive in a difficult labor market while recognizing contributions across schools and departments. Total new personnel costs reach approximately $18.5 million.

Charleston County School District · CCSD Chief Financial Officer
Nearly 60 new positions added alongside $3.2 million special education boost
The budget funds approximately 60 new positions tied to enrollment growth and strategic priorities, as well as a $3.2 million increase in special education resources. Additional investments cover employee child care expansion, curriculum operations, and multilingual learner supports. These operational additions reflect both growing enrollment and targeted program commitments from the board.

City of North Charleston · City Council Committee Meetings
New Program Targets 150 Daily Abandoned Shopping Carts
With approximately 150 shopping carts abandoned daily between North Side Drive and Northwoods Boulevard, North Charleston is launching a new enforcement program after past ordinances and voluntary return programs failed. Community Service Officers will collect carts from public and private property, storing them at Public Works, while store owners will face a $50 retrieval fine or risk their carts being scrapped for $30–$50 each. All revenue will flow into a dedicated homeless services account. The ultimate goal is to compel businesses to adopt wheel-locking or GPS boundary systems.

City of North Charleston · City Council Committee Meetings
Two Groups Compete to Lead Palmetto Rose Youth Program
The Palmetto Artisan Program, with five years of success in Charleston, and the Palmetto Barbers Association together pitched competing visions for formalizing a youth entrepreneurship initiative around selling palmetto roses. The Artisan Program highlighted its mandatory 8-week business curriculum and zero police incidents, while the Barbers Association offered a 20,000 sq. ft. support complex with vocational training, GED assistance, and partnerships with employers including the Charleston Stevedoring Association. Both proposals emphasized cultural preservation of the Gullah Geechee tradition of rose and sweetgrass basket making, and a cross-departmental city team will select and support the winning group.

7 Legare St - The Henry Laurens House is a circa 1700’s home that was rebuilt in 1887. This South of Broad home underwent a renovation that included removing and restoring all of the windows and recoating the roof. There’s also a pool and it sits on a third of an acre. This one is *chef’s kiss

6 Bed | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | 7011 sqft | $16,000,000

SEE ALL PHOTOS AND DETAILS

Nearly new home zoned for Mount Pleasant Schools

- 5 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
- First-floor guest bedroom
- Open floor plan
- Washer, Dryer & EV Charger convey
-$687,000

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Charleston just wrapped up Q1 2026 with 3,643 total residential sales, a 2.4% increase over Q1 2025, with the median price across the region now sitting at $449,900 — up 3.4% year over year. Single-family detached homes are leading the charge at a $480,000 median, up 4.4%.

Inventory is tight, but not everywhere equally.

The overall market is sitting at just 3.6 months of supply — well below the 6 months that signals a balanced market. The tightest spots right now: Wando/Cainhoy (2.2 months), Kiawah Island (2.4 months), West Ashley inside I-526 (2.7 months), and Daniel Island (2.7 months). If you're shopping in any of those areas, you are absolutely in competition with other buyers.

On the other end, Sullivan's Island (6.9 months), Folly Beach (7.1 months), and Edisto (7.8 months) are giving buyers a little more room to breathe.

This week's contract activity confirms the momentum.

During the week of April 10-16, 350 residential properties went under contract across the region. Of those, 272 were single-family homes, with a median list price of $497k at $245/sqft — and 40 of them were priced over $1M. Median days on market: just 25. The market is not sitting still.

What this means for buyers. You are competing in most of Charleston right now, especially in the James Island, Johns Island, Mt. Pleasant, and West Ashley corridors. Mt. Pleasant had 29 single-family homes go under contract just this week — 14 of them over $1M. Come prepared with financing locked in and expectations set for limited negotiating room.

What this means for sellers. Conditions remain firmly in your favor across most of the market. Year-over-year price gains are real and steady, inventory is low, and buyer demand is clearly active. If you've been waiting for the "right time," this market is still signaling that the window is open — especially in the core Charleston areas.

If something in today's issue sparked a question, just reply. Seriously. I read every response.

Specifically, I'm good at three things:

1) Address research - Got a lot, a street, or a neighborhood you're curious about? Send me the address and I'll dig into what's planned or permitted there. This is genuinely my favorite thing to do.

2) Your neighborhood numbers - If you want a quick snapshot of what's selling (and what's sitting) near you, I'll put one together. No pitch, just data.

3) Buying conversations - If a move is somewhere on your radar in the next year or two, I'm a good early sounding board. No pressure, no hustle.

So hit reply and let me know what you're thinking about.

Until next week,
Bill Olson
Father, Husband, REALTOR®, Civic Storyteller

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