Berkeley County commission would work to create and preserve greenspace

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – There has been a lot of talk about creating and preserving greenspace as development increases across the Lowcountry. Leaders in Berkeley County are working toward that goal.

Berkeley County will have tens of millions of dollars over the next few years specifically set aside to purchase greenspace and leave it that way.

“This last referendum that everybody voted on, and it passed overwhelmingly, 10 percent of the penny tax goes towards our greenbelt initiative where we try to conserve, preserve property,” said Berkeley County Councilman Tommy Newell.

Berkeley County Council is creating a Conservation and Greenbelt Advisory Commission to help research the best properties to acquire to preserve greenspace. The tax is expected to generate $55-$60 million over the next seven years.

“Berkeley County is full. We don’t need any more homes permitted and we already have parcels permitted that we can’t stop but anything new outside what’s already been allotted we just don’t need it,” said Newell.

Newell says the county does need greenspace that could be used as parks for kids to play in.

“As a little boy, you know I walked through ditches and creeks, woods, (with a) BB gun, being able to just go out there and learn what your surroundings consist of,” he said.

It’s memories like that for future kids that these dollars will also help preserve.

Dorchester County has a similar Greenbelt Commission. They meet on Wednesday to discuss their Greenbelt master plan they have been working on.

“To have a greenspace where children can walk a boardwalk or have an active park to play ball, sports, whatever else this is. Once we have an open area where you can just be a kid without worrying about bad things and people — to me that’s all worth it,” Newell said.

Councilman Newell said they will be putting this commission together over the next month or two and then it can begin its work.