City Council Approves Golf Cart Tunnel On Daniel Island

The Charleston City Council, holding one of its regular monthly meetings, gave approval this week to an underground tunnel for golf carts on Park Drive.

Julie Dombrowski, spokesperson for The Daniel Island Company, said the tunnel would be constructed with private funds and that maintenance would be provided by the Daniel Island Club. She said it was being built to provide for greater safety of golf carts crossing Park Drive.

At the same meeting, held in the chapel of the Providence Baptist Church on Daniel Island, council approved a proposal to grant a right of way allowing South Carolina Electric and Gas Company to lay an underground power line from its facilities to the new Berkeley County school on Daniel Island Drive. 

Mayor Joe Riley, who normally presides over council meetings, was absent due to the death of his mother-in-law. Mayor pro tem Deborah Morinelli chaired the meeting.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, the president of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association, Dr. Franklin Medio, explained to council that funds granted from the Daniel Island Community Fund and given to the Cainhoy community were funded by a one-half percentage point assessed against resale properties on the island, which is paid by Daniel Island homeowners.

Medio's comments were offered to counter racism accusations made by councilman Gallant at the August meeting.

Council acting chairman Paul Tinkler, who had taken over from Ms. Morinelli, said council appreciated the information. 

From time to time in recent years, the city council has held meetings on Daniel Island.  A number of Daniel Island residents were present in the audience, as well as officers from the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association.