JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — The Charleston County School District is looking to construct a 23,000 square foot Early Learning Center addition to the existing James Island Elementary School.
As the intended site sits within 300 feet of the historic W. Gresham Meggett High and Elementary School, the school district is requesting approval for a certificate of historic appropriateness to begin construction of the center. The center would include new playgrounds, parking, drop-off and pick-up areas and would serve 200 students and 32 staff.
Niki Grimball, interim deputy director of zoning and planning at Charleston County, says this process is vital whenever a historically designated property is involved. She says the commission will look at various criteria when reviewing the application: whether proposed site improvements are compatible, whether they will decrease the historic integrity of the property and potential negative impacts…