James Island Baptist Church
Approximately 32 people in attendance.

Impact of I-526 on Riverland Terrace and alternatives:
Project Manager of Coastal Conservation League, Alex Dadok, gave a presentation entitled “A new Way to Work: Driving Choices – Traffic Solutions”.  The Coastal Conservation League has opposed the I-526 extension since it was reintroduced in 1995.  They believe that extending I-526 will not solve traffic problems, will induce sprawl and development on Johns Island, and will not provide a long term traffic solution.  Dadok did contend that the proposed I-526 extension would improve traffic on Maybank Highway near Riverland Terrace, but believes that it would simply be a temporary traffic solution to a larger problem.  Also, CCL believes that extending I-526 is not an efficient use of public money (costing approximately $500 million), will threaten natural areas (especially James Island County Park and 100 acres of wetlands on Johns lsland), and will not reduce the number of failing roads – just move them further out.  They propose a network of streets around commercial areas that would offer drivers alternatives to choke points along the roads.  This redevelopment would be neighborhood friendly and bring economic revitalization.  A walkable waterfront area would be created instead of a junction of on/off ramps on either side of the Ashley River.  The alternative for construction and demolition would cost half as much as the I-526 extension and would have minimal wetland impact.  

5 Points
A Town Council meeting will be held on April 15 regarding the remaining tract of land.

SCE&G Tree Trimming
Will take place after Labor Day.  Lou Ehinger and Danny Burgess will come to next meeting.  Lewis Tree will be the subcontractor.

Duck Pond
John Meffert will discuss later.   There is an option of moving mature azaleas along banks.

Clean Sweep
Saturday April 26th with picnic afterwards.  Volunteers of all ability levels are encouraged to participate and help RTNA win for the third year.  There will be a Household Hazardous Materials Truck for Charleston County Recycling at Medway Park from 9-12.

Median improvement
The Garden Club is calling for financial donations and volunteers to help with making the neighborhood medians have more visual impact and less maintenance.