US-17 WIDENING PROJECT TO IMPACT IVY HALL ENTRANCE
(Updated 9-29-09)

Newly released plans to widen U.S. Highway 17 include measures that would drastically reduce the size and scope of the palm tree-filled median at our entrance.

The median currently is about 9-feet wide. Under the plan, the median would be reduced to about half that width so as to accommodate the addition of a third lane exiting the neighborhood. Additionally, the portion of the median closest to the highway would be converted from a planter median to a simple raised concrete median.

Please view this computer-generated rendering of the proposed U.S. 17-Lexington Drive intersection (click on photo to expand):

At this time, there are no provisions in the town's plan to compensate Ivy Hall for any of the proposed changes -- a totally unacceptable position in the view of Ivy Hall's Board, which has submitted written concerns to town officials.

If nothing changes, it's quite possible that we would lose most or all of our palm trees and be left responsible for restoring any irrigation and electrical lines that most assuredly would be lost during construction. That scenario is especially grim considering that the POA spent $6,800 last year to beautify the median.

It could be worse. The town's original plan included the removal of our main entrance sign. But officials say that measure has been taken off the table.

At its August meeting the Board drafted the following comments to the town, which includes a portion about the sign just to cover our bases:

"The Town of Mount Pleasant's proposed widening of U.S. 17 will have dramatic and drastic impact on the Ivy Hall entrance. The board is firmly opposed to the 75-degree radius that will eliminate the Ivy Hall sign. We are respectfully requesting that the radius be shortened to allow the sign to remain undisturbed. Furthermore, the board finds unacceptable that the median be modified without applying proper mitigation. We have recently spent $6,800 in landscaping and irrigation system [fees]; and have also fixed our electrical outlets on the median. We are requesting that landscaping and irrigation be replaced, along with our electrical outlets. We would like to explore the possibility of extending the three (3) lanes exiting Ivy Hall into the right of way next to the Ivy Hall Office Building so as to not disturb the median. We also request that appropriate crosswalks be provided."

The town is still working on funding for the widening project, which includes widening U.S. 17 from four lanes to six from the Isle of Palms Connector to the Darrell Creek subdivision exit road. For much more information on the widening project, go to www.townofmountpleasant.com.