Porch Construction in Nexton, SC

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) — Hundreds of Berkeley County residents echoed the same sentiment and joined a petition to stop the potential annexation that was discussed at a meeting Monday night.

It’s a feeling that long-time resident of New Hope community Lisa Perry said in opposition to a potential annexation of land from Berkeley County to Summerville.

“I say if it’s not broke, why try to fix it? Why try to change it?”

Hundreds of Berkeley County residents echoed the same sentiment and joined a petition to stop the potential annexation that was discussed at a meeting Monday night.

Berkeley County’s Land Use Committee discussed a resolution of an Eleventh Amendment to the Nexton Development Agreement that would allow Nash-Nexton Holdings, LLC to release large portions of land to the Town of Summerville. In opposition, more than 400 residents signed a to stop the annexation and allow more time for understanding and public discussion, and county council agreed.

“Our responsibility and loyalty goes to the citizens of Berkeley County,” Berkeley County councilman Caldwell Pinckney Jr. said during the meeting. “And I heard them loud and clear on the news. We don’t want that to happen in our community. And as a member of county council, I’m dedicated to support their wishes.”

Many residents say they want to stop the amendment to protect not only their land, but their legacy. The proposed annexation affects parcels of land near Sheep Island Road and Wildgame Road and would also create the opportunity for the development of 1,200 single-family homes. The current housing capacity for that portion of land is capped at 447.

Alvin Lumpkin has lived in Berkeley County for generations and started the petition after he heard about the proposed annexation. He said even though many of their homes are not being annexed, the decision would directly affect the overall community’s long-standing families, cultural heritage and public safety.

“We believe this deserves public attention before decisions become final,” Lumpkin said.

Resident concerns include traffic and road capacity, fire and EMS coverage, loss of civic land and density shift. They also believe there hasn’t been much transparency or accountability from Berkeley County regarding the ongoing process, which county council expressed to the owner of the land.

“It’s hurtful to think that someone from outside of our area who doesn’t understand that there’s a culture of family and togetherness,” Dr. Jennifer Simmons, long-time resident of Sheep Island said. “Everyone is family. There’s a farming network there historically, we’ve lived off of this land, we’ve thrived off of this land, so it hurts us and that’s why we’re fighting so hard for it.”

Many residents expressed concern about the potential density increase of developments in that area if the annexation goes through, which the county council also expressed.

Many residents were relieved to see support from the county council.

“I appreciate what each and every one of them [Berkeley County Council] did to help abate a little bit, so I’m pleased with it,” Ron Harvey, a long-time resident of New Hope community said. “I think they did a good job.”

The Nexton Development Agreement has been an agreement between Berkeley County and Nash-Nexton Holdings, LLC since 2006.

Many amendments have since been made, but with the new proposed amendment, many say it takes too much of what they call home.

As the agenda item was only a discussion, no vote was made. Berkeley County council told the owner of the land to go back and make changes if he still wanted the amendment to be considered. They also affirmed to the community that they won’t be making a decision unless a new proposed amendment makes changes to the housing capacity, now leaving the potential annexation in Summerville’s hands.

“We’re not opposed to growth, we are just open to growth in the right way,” Simmons said.