‘Keep Chelsea rural’: Group fights annexation in Jasper Co.

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - A group of people in Jasper County, hundreds in number, are opposing annexation into Ridgeland and the idea of a massive development.

“Keep Chelsea Rural” is a group petitioning against the 3,000-acre annexation of three Chelsea land tracts into Ridgeland. Chelsea is a rural section of Jasper County under a development pause put in place by the county itself.

But right now, a developer is asking the nearby town of Ridgeland to annex the land as part of their plan to build more than 2,000 houses and more than 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

Grant McClure with the Coastal Conservation League explains that these actions appear to be contradicting some of the ideas between the county and the town.

“Jasper County, put in place a moratorium back in June of 2023 that essentially presses pause on development along an area that they identified as a high priority for land protection and conservation. And so now you have a development team that’s approached the town of Ridgeland to expedite their project, and so that’s created some tension with folks in the community,” McClure says.

McClure says there is natural significance to the land that deserves protection. While the county moratorium will end in March, the county has heard from many in the area about why they want the land left alone in the future.

“It’s so valuable to have that open space because it keeps our water clean. It keeps our air clean. You know, the creek, Hazard Creek, is a shared public resource. Folks use this river to fish and crab and conservation and land protection, you know, helps to protect those natural resources that are so valuable for our quality of life,” McClure says.

Those who live nearby called it a success when they opposed a prior development plan with such passion, the county put the pause in place and is evaluating. Connie Horton’s family has lived in the area for generations.

“I think it’s a big concern because this property has been zoned rural preservation. And to think that developers could come in, buy this property, know how it was decided, and then now start zone shopping to put in the development that they want. Especially during the moratorium,” Horton says.

Janet Schonhoff, a Keep Chelsea Rural advocate says their online petition against the annexation has already earned more than 850 signatures. Besides their personal love of the area, they fear the change to the landscape brings environmental, traffic and cultural threats.

“I have kids that live out of town, but they come back here for the beauty. They love coming on the river, seeing the dolphins and finding peace just getting out on the dock and that’s going to change with a huge community across the street from us. It’s going to change the roadways; it’ll just change the whole environment of things,” Schonhoff says.

The proposals include entrances to the development off of Snake Road, which people in the area say is called Snake Road for a reason. The two-lane back road winds around multiple curves and is meant to be taken slowly and carefully.

“What does this really do for the town of Ridgeland? This development is so far outside of the town. I think development is better suited closer to the town limits and the core of the town,” Horton says.

The land parcels include Chelsea West, North and South, each with its own plan for developments and new entrance roads. But many fear that planning is not enough and doesn’t take into account the increased use of Snake Road and 142.

“The other concern is if this goes through, and this annexation takes place, it just opens Pandora’s box for more development, more annexation, all the way to I-95 to Coosawhatchie. And that’s a huge concern,” Horton says.

Keep Chelsea Rural’s petition states that “By entertaining this annexation at this time, the Town of Ridgeland is contradicting the spirit and intent of the development moratorium, which was enacted to better protect priceless environmental and culturally sensitive areas such as the Chelsea properties.”

“Really what we need right now is regional cooperation. And so, you know, we want to see folks working together and the town of Ridgeland is a stakeholder in this comprehensive planning effort. The community has been very clear that they do not want to see this project go through via that annexation. They’ve been very vocal about their concerns. There are several petitions going around. And so I guess ultimately, I would like to see us working together towards a solution,” McClure says.

While the town of Ridgeland did accept the annexation proposal in a 4-1 vote on Jan. 18, there are still public hearings and future votes left to approve the project.

To learn more about the Keep Chelsea Rural movement, click here.