Officials OK new Charleston subdivisions

Charleston officials have approved several new subdivisions.

Members of the Municipal Planning Commission also approved arequest to abandon parts of two little-used streets.

Members of the Municipal Planning Commission gave final platapproval to Pison Development, which is building a 22-lot subdivisioncalled The Woodlands off Clark Road. The access road begins outsideof city limits but part of the development lies within cityboundaries.

Commission members also approved Robert Swoope's plan to create afive-lot Heritage Ridge Subdivision at 1978 Smith Road. The projectwas delayed for more than a year while the developer met requirementsof the Charleston Sanitary Board.

Jamestown developer George Neilan won the commission's blessingfor the already built, relocated section of Salem Road, and for hisapplication to dedicate the road as a city street, but withconditions.

Commission member and city Councilwoman Mary Jean Davis said shewants to have a letter of approval from the city Street Departmentbefore council's Planning Committee takes up the two road measures.Davis also stipulated that Neilan post two required bonds for thestreet. City Council has final approval on the matters.

Finally, commission members approved Marathon Petroleum LLC'srequest for the city to abandon Standard Street and part of CreelAvenue.

The two streets lie within the property of Marathon's petroleumproducts river terminal off MacCorkle Avenue, lawyer Nick Casey said.Marathon will pay the city $1 per square foot, or about $25,000, forthe property, he said.

The city's Planning Department supported the street closings forseveral reasons, Planning Director Dan Vriendt said the city would nolonger have to do maintenance or have liability for the streets, andthe closings would help Marathon meet Homeland Security requirements.