By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published April 27, 2009

Charleston County Councilman Elliott Summey is asking his colleagues on council to join him in a formal opposition to northern rail access onto the former Navy base and through the heart of redevelopment efforts led by his father.

Summey is sponsoring a resolution that, if approved, would say that the County Council is standing behind North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey’s efforts to limit access to the terminal under construction on the former Navy base to only the south end.

The younger Summey said the resolution is not a conflict of interest because the third district that he represents includes some of the neighborhoods that would be impacted by increased usage of the rail that runs out of the former Navy base’s northern end.

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“My father did not ask me to do this resolution,” Summey said. “He doesn’t care whether we weigh in or not. We differ often in politics. But it’s a family trait. If we believe in something, we are going to stand up for it.”

The resolution states that an agreement for rail access from the south is necessary because the state and North Charleston could otherwise end up in a lengthy legal battle that disrupts the construction plans for the new terminal. S.C. Public Railways, a division of the S.C. Department of Commerce, and Norfolk Southern would like the city to consider northern rail access in addition to a rail yard on the Clemson University Restoration Institute property.

Norfolk Southern argues that forcing rail to the south will give a competitive advantage to rival CSX, because that railroad company owns and operates the line to the south and does not plan to share it.

The mayor has indicated that the city is preparing for a legal fight should it become necessary. The city of North Charleston and the S.C. State Ports Authority signed a memorandum of understanding in 2002 in which the SPA said it would utilize rail access only from the south.

Elliott Summey’s resolution further states that “County Council believes it is imperative that local governments be able to rely upon the commitments of the state without fear that the state will repudiate promises.”

House and Senate lawmakers are sponsoring amendments that would turn the current rail line on the Navy base property over to S.C. Public Railways.

“I’m not anti-port. I’m pro-waterfront,” Elliott Summey said. “Here’s where I’m coming from and most of County Council is coming from: We realize that the port needs rail, but it cannot be done at the expense of the quality of life of the people in Park Circle (neighborhood) and North Charleston.”

The resolution is expected to come up for a vote at Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting. If passed, it would move to the full council.

Reach Molly Parker at 843-849-3144.