In today's Scoop:
🏙️ North Charleston begins an 18-month rewrite of its zoning and development rules
🏫 A CCSD trustee has until Sept. 10 to request a removal hearing
🖥️ Mount Pleasant's planning committee backs a 120-day data center pause
🥞 Okonomiyaki in a Rutledge Avenue gas station
At 224 Rutledge Avenue, Xiao Bao Biscuit serves dishes from China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam inside a converted gas station. Joshua Walker and Duolan Li traced the idea to a seven-month honeymoon through Asia, then opened the restaurant in 2012.
The seasonal menu leans into family-style comfort food. The okonomiyaki, a Japanese cabbage pancake learned while farming in Japan, comes with furikake mayo, sweet soy, and chili garlic sauce. Add a fried egg, pork candy, or katsuobushi.
Read more here.
🏙️ North Charleston Starts 18-Month Zoning Rewrite
The Gist: North Charleston is beginning an 18-month rewrite of zoning and development rules that still carry remnants of the 1970s. Regional projections show 270,000 more residents, 102,000 new households and 140,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.
Why It Matters: The new code will shape housing choices, walkability, permitting and neighborhood businesses as growth adds pressure to roads and affordability.
What's Next: The next public meeting is Oct. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lord of the Harvest Christian Faith Center, with a final draft targeted for spring 2027.
Read more here.
🏫 McMaster Opens CCSD Trustee Removal Process
The Gist: Gov. Henry McMaster issued an order notifying CCSD trustee Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson of charges after an inspector general report. The allegations involve disclosing executive-session material and confidential information, plus a conflict of interest.
Why It Matters: The process could remove a sitting trustee and change the leadership overseeing Charleston County's public schools.
What's Next: Dunmeyer-Roberson has until Sept. 10 to request a hearing. If she does, a three-member panel must recommend by Oct. 5 whether she should be removed.
Read more here.
🖥️ Mount Pleasant Panel Backs 120-Day Data Center Pause
The Gist: Mount Pleasant's Planning Committee recommended a 120-day moratorium on data centers while staff develops new rules. Mayor Will Haynie said no hyperscale project is currently proposed east of the Cooper River, while residents raised concerns about water, power, noise and environmental effects.
Why It Matters: Any facility using more than 3 million gallons of water a month would need a groundwater permit, and the Waterworks general manager said the service area would be unlikely to qualify.
What's Next: The moratorium recommendation now goes to the full Town Council for a vote.
Read more here.
📚 Family Friday at Drayton Hall | Drayton Hall | Charleston | Friday, September 4, 10 to 11 a.m. | More Story time, crafts, and a landscape scavenger hunt welcome toddlers and preschoolers.
🎨 Plaza Block Party | Wild Dunes Resort | Isle of Palms | Friday, September 4, 4 to 7 p.m. | More Shop local makers while kids get face painting and everyone catches live music.
🐾 Storytime Under the Oaks | Middleton Place | Charleston | Saturday, September 5, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | More Animal stories, crafts, and a meet-and-greet welcome children ages 3 to 5.
🐛 Discovery Day: Bugging Out | The Dill Sanctuary | Charleston | Tuesday, September 8, 10 to 11 a.m. | More Little learners hunt for bugs and build their own critter catcher.
📖 UP, UP, & Read! Children's Literary Festival | Charleston Library Society | Charleston | Thursday, September 10, readings at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.; continues through Saturday | More The free festival opens with authors Chris Singleton and Antwan Eady.
🖼️ First Friday ArtWalks | Downtown Charleston galleries | Charleston | Friday, September 4, 5 to 8 p.m. | More Stroll downtown galleries, discover new work, and meet local and visiting artists.
🌮 Taco & Margarita Festival | Riverfront Park | North Charleston | Saturday, September 5, starts at 11 a.m. | More Sample tacos and local talent, then visit the 21-plus margarita garden.
📘 Democracy Then and Now: Jill Lepore | Charleston Gaillard Center | Charleston | Tuesday, September 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. | More The Pulitzer-winning historian discusses AI and democracy with journalist Kevin Sack.
🍷 Wine Down Wednesday | Old Towne Creek County Park | Charleston | Wednesday, September 9, 5 to 7 p.m. | More Sip wine under the oaks with Josh Michum and two local food trucks.
🎸 Billy Currington & Kip Moore Live | Firefly Distillery | North Charleston | Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m. | More Two country hitmakers share an outdoor stage with guest Alex Lambert.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
Thanks for reading our publication! We'll have more updates for you next week!
Business owners: Want to reach Charleston readers? Reply to this email for info.