Charleston County's planning staff has worked closely with residents of the Ten Mile community, aiming to preserve the rural character of this historic African American settlement community near northern Mount Pleasant and Awendaw. And while there is much to like about a proposed overlay district for the area, one particular aspect deserves greater attention when County Council takes a final vote.

The county's urban growth boundary — a decades-old planning tool to protect the county's rural areas from suburban encroachment — actually runs through the Ten Mile community; part of the community lies within the urban area, and the rest is on the rural side.

As written, the overlay would actually triple the allowable density on the rural side, from one unit per three acres currently allowe

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