Co-Working Space in Goose Creek, SC

A new residential development slated for the northern edge of Goose Creek could bring nearly 1,000 new housing units.

South Carolina’s eighth-largest city is poised to annex a 515-acre parcel on U.S. Highway 52 north of Medway Road, where new single-family homes would be built.

Goose Creek also plans to change the land use on 37 acres between Medway and Montague Plantation roads to allow a mixed-use development.

The larger property, called the Medway Tract, would include 425 single-family houses and 200 age-restricted homes.

The smaller Monarch Tract could have 240 apartments, 71 townhomes and 53,000 square feet of commercial space.

The projects are part of the Laurel Bay planned development making its way through the city approval process.

The 515-acre parcel is owned by Rye-Build LLC of Florida, which paid $4 million for the Medway Tract in 2021, according to Berkeley County land records.

The smaller site would include a commercial development with 46,000 square feet of retail space, including a 30,000-square-foot grocery store and 7,000 square feet set aside for office space. It would sit off Montague Plantation Road at Orangetip Drive.

The small commercial node, which includes the proposed multifamily structures, is currently zoned for general commercial use. The developer, Eastwood Construction Partners, is asking to change that to a planned development as part of the Laurel Bay project.

Homes would not be built on the entire 515-acre Medway parcel. Plans show residences on about 258 acres since part of the tract is wetlands, some of which the city is asking to be placed under a conservation easement.

Eastwood Homes is expected to develop most of the single-family homes, according to Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib. Sunburst Properties of Tallahassee will likely build planned patio homes.

“It’s going to be a really nice neighborhood with a lot of open space,” Habib said.

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Eastwood division president Dion Matheney expects construction on homes to begin in about 24 months. The townhome development is already under construction on the smaller parcel.

“We are trying to get the planned unit development approved for the density and will then start working on the design when we know how many homes will be allowed,” Matheney said.

He also noted some commercial development will occur in the initial phase as the homes in Laurel Bay begin construction.

Habib said the proposed expansion of Goose Creek’s borders is in keeping with his administration’s goal to attract more economic activity to the city of about 48,000 residents.

“Growth is absolutely necessary,” he said. “Until someone invents an economy not based on growth, that’s what we have. You have to grow. It’s how we continue to provide services at a high level.”

He said the city has been working with the developer for about two years to come up with a design that minimizes the effects of additional traffic, phases in commercial development and calls for a higher design standard than what’s required under the existing rules.

The commercial area, including a future supermarket, “is absolutely something we want there,” Habib said. “We’ve had conversations with three potential grocers, but nothing to announce. It’s still early.”

The town’s economic development director also cited the importance of growing the city and adding commercial entities to its northern sector.

Goose Creek High School is joining an elite group of schools by entering the education metaverse, with help from VictoryXR, a global leader in virtual reality education. Goose Creek High School is one of the first in the United States to adopt metaverse education, pioneering a new world of 3D immersive learning.

Students participating in the educational metaverse will have the opportunity to become immersed in their content, experience hands-on lessons, and connect and learn with students across the state. Students will have the chance to hold molecules in their hands, spend an hour on a starship and take a walk outside the ship in a space suit, visit with Isaac Newton after traveling in a time machine and much more.

“Studies show conclusively that students who learn in virtual reality remember more of what they are taught,” said Steve Grubbs, CEO of VictoryXR. “South Carolina is pioneering this education metaverse initiative to address learning loss in a meaningful way with bold solutions. In a few years, all states will follow South Carolina’s lead.”

Goose Creek High School was named one of 30 statewide winners in South Carolina for a bundle of classroom virtual reality headsets and metaverse education classes with live teachers to help address learning loss. The grant, an initiative from VictoryXR and funded by The State of South Carolina, is launching this summer in select school districts. South Carolina is the first state in the nation to launch a statewide learning metaversity.

“Our students endeavor to create a future that we can only dare to imagine,” said Shameka Washington, principal at Goose Creek High School. “We are excited about the ability to use this new technology to empower students for success in a global virtual environment.”

Goose Creek High School was named one of 30 statewide winners in South Carolina for a bundle of classroom virtual reality headsets and metaverse education classes with live teachers to help address learning loss. The grant, an initiative from VictoryXR and funded by The State of South Carolina, is launching this summer in select school districts. South Carolina is the first state in the nation to launch a statewide learning metaversity.

Goose Creek High School has received 20 Meta Quest 2 headsets and the opportunity for students to receive tutoring in a group setting, led by a live teacher. Even more, those students will be tutored in reading, science and math.

“I was a classroom teacher and there were always a few students who were difficult to motivate,” said Melissa Brent, director of education at VictoryXR. “The South Carolina Metaversity will change that and students will love to learn.”

In addition to metaverse tutoring classes, students will also have access in-classroom to biology, chemistry and anatomy labs through their virtual reality headsets.

VictoryXR is a leader in the metaverse education space globally and was founded in Iowa in 2016.

Members of the Devon Forest community say they want answers from the Mount Holly Century Aluminum plant after an “emission” was recorded in the past month.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - Members of the Devon Forest community say they want answers from the Mount Holly Century Aluminum plant after an “emission” was recorded in the past month.

Neighbors say they have been dealing with a gritty substance since the beginning of September.

“It’s not something like pollen that’s nice and soft. It’s a hard, silica-type sand, almost,” homeowner Nick Marino said. “It’s not something that easily comes off.”

The substance has settled onto cars, household items and other property. When it first happened, neighbors said it was a light, thin layer. After a few days, that turned into small piles.

“Didn’t think too much at first. It wasn’t a lot,” Marino said. “But as time progressed, it became more and more.”

Marino says he noticed it more often in the early mornings.

“First thing in the morning, I come out, there’s stuff all over the car,” he said. “I guess it’s prevalent, would happen overnight, maybe.”

Many who noticed the change say they were not sure how to remove the substance safely.

“If you try to wipe it off, it scratches the paint on your car,” Leslie Deaver said.

Community members were concerned about whether the substance was safe to breathe, touch or remove.

“It worries us for health reasons, it worries us for vehicles and whatever else, the school in the neighborhood,” Marino said. “We just want to know what’s causing it and a solution so it stops.”

“We’ve been here 15 years, we’ve never seen it this bad,” Deaver added.

A statement released from Mount Holly Plant Manager Dennis Harbath confirms an alumina emission from the plant as of Sept. 5:

Due to a process disruption, Century Aluminum´s Mt. Holly plant has experienced an emission of alumina, a non-hazardous raw material used in our smelting process. Local regulators were notified on September 5 and are working closely with us on the matter. Since the occurrence, a team has been working to promptly resolve the issue. Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly plant is diligent in its safety and environmental protection measures, and, as of this time, there is no determination that the plant emitted any substance in exceedance of permitted limits, and we are investigating whether any of the emission particulate traveled beyond the plant property. Nonetheless, we are conducting a thorough internal inquiry to prevent future occurrences of this issue.

Alumina, or aluminum oxide is white or nearly colorless and used to make aluminum metals. The plant says they are working to investigate the issue and fix it.

Community members still have eyebrows raised.

“This shouldn’t be something that’s kept in the dark, reviewed behind closed doors. Let the public know what’s going on, get us involved,” Marino said. “Maybe hold an open house with Century Aluminum so we can have our questions answered.”

Neighbors asked for wider community awareness and transparency from the plant when these emissions occur in the future.

“It’s literally right across the road from us, from our backs. Were probably the closest to it in this neighborhood,” Deaver said. “That would be nice to know. ‘Hey, we’re going to release this at a certain time, this is what to expect.’ Just community knowledge.”

Harbath released a follow-up statement Tuesday saying the company is continuing to monitor progress:

As an update, we have been continuing to diligently work on resolving our process disruption and have taken a number of actions to minimize any resulting emissions. In addition, we are still in regular communication with regulators on our progress, including a recent visit to our site.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Officials are working together to bring the ditches and drainage service in an area of Goose Creek up to par after major flooding from summer storms.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - State, county and city leaders say they are working together to bring the ditches and drainage service in an area of Goose Creek up to par after major flooding from summer storms.

After a staff meeting Tuesday morning, officials say they will be working together during the next 60-90 days on drainage system improvements. Work includes retrenching the ditches to the correct depth to allow flow, as well as inspecting each pipe for breaks or blockages.

Families in the Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills neighborhoods experience heavy rain and flooded yards and foundations over the summer.

One family even suffered a loss of income when a member fell and broke an ankle trying to clean out the drainage area himself.

One issue the people ran into while trying to voice the problem was knowing who to bring their concerns to.

Mayor Greg Habib of Goose Creek says the city is not directly in charge of that service, but he stepped in to get all the people involved around one table to talk about next steps.

“Yes, they feel like they’re getting the runaround. And it’s because of how we are structured in South Carolina in Berkeley County in the city of Goose Creek,” Habib says.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation manages the roads and easements, the county manages drains and stormwater and many of the addresses are in the city. Those agencies say they are collaborating on a solution.

After heavy rains over the summer and getting multiple calls each, the agencies began workshopping with each other. Habib says he invited everyone to an in-person meeting Tuesday morning in Goose Creek to help.

Berkeley County Councilman Tommy Newell, State Representative Brandon Cox and SCDOT planners all came out.

The department of transportation says they are retrenching all the ditches next to the roads they run. The ditches will be deeper and clearer for water to flow through. The county is going into its drains, and making sure there are no breaks or blocks in those pieces.

“The first thing we need to do is ensure that we get the system back to its proper condition right. Are the ditches the proper depth? Are the storm drains open? Are the pipes underneath the roads all open for flow up and down the system? And so we believe that I personally believe that’ll take care of a lot of the issue” Habib says.

Habib says Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills are older neighborhoods where many people have lived for nearly 40 years in their homes. He knows that the severe flooding issues have been amplified in past years by the continuing changes to the area.

“It’s important to note that in 60 years ago, when neighborhoods were built there were no stormwater, requirements, stormwater laws, stormwater engineering, there wasn’t any of that. You see a neighborhood get built today, they’re all required essentially to keep their stormwater on their own on the development right. That’s why there are retention ponds and detention drains and all of those things. Well that didn’t happen 60 years ago,” Habib says.

Given the older style of the system and the potential for deterioration, the agencies are doing a full assessment after this summer’s heavy rains. Their work in the next 60-90 days is meant to bring the system up to its max performance ability. Habib hopes that’s the solution to all the problems.

“It may be. I suspect it probably is, but it may not be. And if it’s not, we will then identify what we can do to raise the system up so that it does meet the standard that needs to be there today,” Habib.

Habib says anyone who is having specific problems is always welcome to bring their concerns to the city and county council to explain their issue and get help from the right agency.

“Water doesn’t know the boundaries of a municipality. So the stormwater money from within the city of Goose Creek goes to Berkeley County. Because I believe and so does the county believe that stormwater is much better managed from a macro county perspective than a micro-neighborhood,” Habib says.

Residents in the neighborhood say they are hopeful the work mitigates their issues and look forward to the completion of the retrenching and pipe clearing. Then they will await the next rain, and see if more work is needed, or if their system is doing enough.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Like a pounding rain that begins with a trickle. it all starts with some random whistles, snaps and pops in the late afternoon. But as the sun sets, bright flashes and booms follow in an endless cacophony that will continue for hours.

Some like it; some don’t.

For five days out the year, Goose Creek allows fireworks to be set off. Those days are Independence Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

At the May 9 council meeting, residents hit the podium hoping elected officials may ban the booms altogether.

“Fireworks pose a fire hazard to homes, including those with asphalt shingle roofs. For the safety of all Goose Creek residents, consider prohibiting personal use fireworks within the City of Goose Creek,” said resident David Driggers.

“I’m here tonight to ask your consideration making Goose Creek a no fireworks zone. ... For the safety of my property, my neighbors and the city, please take this request seriously,” said resident Judy Fox.

“The noise is a nuisance to other residents. There is a danger of a fire being started and the danger of property damage. ... Additionally, the fireworks are stressful for our many residents who are veterans and served in war zones,” said Cynthia Curry, who has lived in the city since 1978.

Residents who want the fireworks to stop said they have gone to Crowfield’s Home Owners Association several times and were eventually told to make the request to City Council. But others showed up at the meeting to support the existing rules.

“There may be people who have PTSD. I’m a veteran. I’ve got 24 years in and out of combat zones. ... Lets be careful to bring the veterans out as the reason to stop having freedoms. Most of us put our lives on the line for those freedoms we celebrate on the 4th of July and other holidays,” said resident Mike Conner, an Air Force Veteran.

“I think it’s a fundamental freedom. I’m a bicentennial baby, conceived on that night. I am a very fervent supporter of fireworks, just like (Thomas) Jefferson and (John) Adams,” said Heather Burns.

Those forefathers would be happy to learn that cities such as North Charleston allow fireworks year around up until 10 p.m.

Other municipalities, however, have banned personal fireworks. Some of those include Myrtle Beach, Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach. Comments from Goose Creek residents were made during the public discussion portion of the meeting. There is no official movement to change the local fireworks ordinance.

“We haven’t as a council openly discussed it. But as far as what they are asking for, we already have two ordinances that cover it,” said council member Melissa Enos. “One ordinance says it can’t be in the city except for five days a year, and the second ordinance is for projectiles.”

The projectile ordinance states that if a firework lands on another property, it is a code violation, which in some cases covers property damage. Enos said she understands the concerns of those wanting them prohibited. Under the current ordinance, that is the case 360 days a year.

“The two ordinances that exist now gets them like 97-percent there. I think what they are asking for is to get them 100 percent there,” she said. “We try not to over regulate and over govern.”