HUGER, S.C. (WCSC) – With just over a hundred homes expected to be built in Huger, some residents worry the lack of proper infrastructure will just be one of the factors that will cost the area its small, hometown feel.
Berkeley County says these homes are coming along Cainhoy Road near Cainhoy Elementary School. Construction has already been approved for the Royal Cokeland development, which will be 49 homes, and the county is still in the stages of approval for the French Quarter Preserve, which will be 57 homes.
“It’s a rural community and we would like to see it stay that way,” lifelong Huger resident Richard Coen said.
Another Huger native, Vincent Holback, and Coen say they have watched Cainhoy Road become a hazard over the years. Cainhoy Road had over 200 collisions from 2011 to 2020, according to the State Department of Public Safety.
The agency has not yet responded to a request for more up-to-date accident information.
“We see growth coming that we aren’t able to sustain because of the infrastructure not being developed along with the growth,” Holback said.
Holback says the lack of proper infrastructure in this area to keep up with the homes is the top concern. He says he sees constant traffic coming from the Nucor Steel production company and Cainhoy Elementary during rush hour.
“There are senior citizens here that drove up and down this road all their lives,” Holback said. “And some of them are afraid to leave home after 3 o’clock in the evening because of the traffic and the speed of the traffic.”
Although the county says these subdivisions will have at least 20% of their area dedicated to wetlands, conservation is also at the forefront of concern.
Coen says the growth does not need to take over.
“It’s going to destroy an area that’s so sensitive and is such an incredible asset for Berkeley County,” Coen said.
Although there’s no stopping what’s already under construction, the two say they just want the county to look out for the ones who already live here.
“I have nothing against growth as long as you bring the growth and do the infrastructure along with the growth,” Holback said.
Coen praises Berkeley County for prioritizing greenspace as part of their 1% sales tax.
“They’re very receptive to all of the efforts regarding the private lands, conservation easements, property rights,” Coen said. “But the property rights are the people who live here.”
Berkeley County public information officer, Jenna-ley Jamison, provided this statement in response to the concerns:
The County routinely works with the state to help improve various roadways, intersections and other transportation infrastructure around the County. The County passed a moratorium on development earlier this year. Also, the 2022 One Cent Sales Tax Referendum that was passed in November 2022 has a Greenbelt Preservation component which addresses setting aside property, easements, natural resources, agricultural, landscaping and protecting scenic corridors while improving road infrastructure.
In addition, with Cainhoy Road being state-maintained, the South Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for the infrastructure. They have not provided a statement.
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