The Johns Island Council

This idea for reducing traffic problems on Johns Island was motivated by discussions at recent meetings of the Johns Island Council, a volunteer citizens group that serves as a liaison between island residents and local government. Since property developments that involve rezoning can significantly affect existing residents, the Johns Island Council encourages developers to present their plans at its regular monthly meetings in advance of their city and county planning and zoning board hearings. This gives residents a chance to learn about the proposed development and to voice their concerns.

A common theme of discussions at Johns Island Council meetings is that there is too much new development on Johns Island. This sentiment is partly just a desire to keep things as they are, but there are legitimate concerns about the adequacy of the existing infrastructure to support large new projects. Several Johns Island Council members have served on the boards of St Johns Water Company and St Johns Fire District, and have offered useful insight on infrastructure needs in those areas. What really gets everyone's attention, though, is traffic congestion, which is widely perceived to be getting worse. New development, particularly high density and commercial development, is generally seen as adding to the problem.