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Johns Island residents said they're concerned after seeing dogs in kennels Thursday under a tarp on private property, although local authorities have said no ordinances have been broken. (Provided)

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JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Johns Island residents said they're concerned after seeing over two dozen dogs in kennels Thursday under a tarp on private property, although local authorities have said no ordinances have been broken.

According to the neighbors on the scene, 25 dogs were taken from 18 kennels and transported to another location after animal control visited the property.

"I don't know what the plan was but just the way they were kept was wrong," said Julie Stroble, one of the concerned neighbors. Stroble's family called animal control after finding the dogs underneath the tarp.

Stroble stated that there were multiple dogs per crate and some of them were too big to stand in the space. She claimed to have heard the dogs barking weeks ago.

It was just a lot of dogs, and that's why I thought it was a bunch of hunting dogs," she said.

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Animal control visited the property along with the animals' owners. The Charleston County Sheriff's Office said the owner has not violated any ordinances within the county.

News 4 was unable to find an ordinance Charleston County has ruling how many dogs may live in a kennel or how to properly stack kennels, but ordinances do require owners to "provide said animal with sufficient good and wholesome food, clean water, proper shelter, care and veterinary treatment when needed." They also require them to provide "shading same from the sun, any direct light, heat or cold and providing adequate ventilation for their use."

The sheriff's office stated the dogs were moved by the owner into a climate-controlled room later that day and the owner of the animals will not be facing any charges.

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The situation has left neighbors with questions about what has happened to the animals and what were they doing under the tarp. News 4 has reached out to the sheriff's office for the incidents report and expect it early next week.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - People on James Island will soon see trucks and teams working on upgrades to Woodland Shores Road and Maybank Highway.

The $3.6 million project will bring about a mile of sidewalks down Woodland Shores Road and Maybank Highway, improving safety and connectivity for bikers and walkers.

The project will also install a mid-block crossing on Maybank Highway with a high visibility flashing crosswalk signal. A raised median going in on Maybank Highway will have fencing to prevent illegal and unsafe crossing anywhere but the crosswalk.

As of March, utility relocation is already happening. Shovels will hit the ground in the coming week. All work will happen during the day, but outside of peak traffic hours. Project leaders say they do not plan any full road closures, just lane closures.

The county, city and the South Carolina Department of Transportation partnered on plans and funding for the project and people in the area.

Council members recall the tragedies that have happened in the area and say these improvements are essential.

“There are a lot of engaged participants in this community, which is wonderful because we get that feedback and we know exactly what residents are anticipating and what they expect and they have been extremely supportive of the project,” county councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt says.

“A lot more needs to get done; this is just a great example of something that is getting going and we hope to keep this trend going,” Charleston City Councilman Jim McBride says.

Project managers estimate total work will take about 18 months before it is complete.

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JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A plan to highlight the beloved 400-year-old Angel Oak Tree and its surrounding land on Johns Island is being brought to city officials for approval to move forward.

The Lowcountry Land Trust has been working on its initiative called the Angel Oak Preserve to unite the nine-acre City of Charleston property, where the Angel Oak Tree sits, with the surrounding 35 acres that the land trust owns.

The goal is to create a community gathering space where visitors can learn more about the significance of the Angel Oak Tree and the history of the site, all while preserving the land that was once threatened by development.

The land trust is proposing the addition of a welcome center on the property it owns, which would be placed at a safe distance away from the Angel Oak to protect the tree’s root system.

Liollio Architecture Principal Jay White says that their goal is to build as little as possible, as the importance of this initiative lies in preserving the Angel Oak Tree.

“When you drive up into the parking lot, you’ll be parking amongst the forestry landscape and if you come through the welcome center, which is really very modest, it’s about the size of a modest house and it provides restrooms, and offices for the staff, a gift shop of course and a gathering space for interpretive exhibits,” White says.

The project is estimated to cost $12 million. The land trust is about halfway to its goal and plans to continue to receive support through public and private donations.

“The Angel Oak is such a powerful symbol, so we envision this project as hopefully an ambassador site where other local communities can learn from it and replicate it, so it really stands as that deep connection between people and conservation and the community and the efforts to protect this tree. Also speak to the resilience of the communities who have lived for so long in relationship to this land,” Angel Oak Preserve Director at the Lowcountry Land Trust, Samantha Siegel, says.

Currently, there is a gift shop located on the nine-acre property that the city owns. The proposed plan includes tearing that down and moving it into the new welcome center, as it is located on top of the roots of the Angel Oak Tree.

Visitors also currently use Angel Oak Road to drive down and park to see the tree, but White says they plan to move parking further away and have guests approach the tree on foot, ensuring the preservation and well-being of the tree.

White says they plan to add walking trails for visitors to follow as they exit the welcome center, which will take them through the forested area before reaching the Angel Oak Tree.

White says once visitors reach the tree they plan to have an elevated wooden boardwalk surrounding it that will keep people off the tree to protect it.

He says that they will also highlight ecological footprints that archaeologists have found near the tree that were once the location of slave cabins. Plans also include a nature play area for children as well as outdoor classrooms where guests who come for tours can learn more about the tree and the site.

“It’s just going to be a really special, sacred place. It already is, but it’s going to be even more special, and we will really be able to honor the tree the way it should be. I think it’s a perfect example of a place where the culture and the ecology work together to create this magic,” Siegel says.

The public will still be able to access the Angel Oak Tree for free. There may be times when visitor traffic is busy and they might do a time slot system, but it would still remain free to guests.

White says once they get final approval they expect it will take about a year to build the welcome center and its features.

The City of Charleston’s Design Review Board will meet on Monday to vote on conceptual approval of the welcome center. If approved, it will have to move forward for preliminary and final approval.

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