I'On Community, Mt. Pleasant, SC
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I'On[1] is a mixed-use New Urbanist "Traditional Neighborhood Design" (TND) style community located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA just north of Charleston. I'On was one of the earliest full-time residential new urbanist communities developed in the US.
I'On is approximately 3 miles (5 km) east of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, which connects Charleston and Mount Pleasant. It is reached by traveling east from the bridge on Johnnie Dodds Blvd. until a turn to the left is reached on Shelmore Blvd. The round-a-about and square which form the community's gateway are about 1,200 feet (370 m) north of the highway on Shelmore Blvd. The GPS coordinates for the square are N 32 48.765, W79 52.760.
Founded on April 30, 1995, I'On was planned as an example of the new urbanism, which includes traditional neighborhood developments. The community was controversial when proposed and initial plans for a more urban and diverse village of over 1,200 units, including multifamily homes and rented residences were eventually compromised in the planning process to a buildout of approximately 769 single family homes, a village square and locations for civic buildings such as churches and schools. Development plans were delayed by a lengthy legal contest with the Town of Mount Pleasant which ended with the South Carolina Supreme Court ruling in the I'On Company's favor.[citation needed]
Other new urbanist communities include Seaside and Celebration in Florida and Kentlands, Maryland. As of July 2006 the community consists of approximately 550 occupied homes, one church, a number of businesses and the East Cooper Montessori Charter School. The community is goverend by the I'On Assembly, a property owner's association. All members of the board are now elected by residents. Another church is in the planning stages and holds monthly tent meetings on its lot on I'On Square.
The community was founded and planned under the direction of Vince Graham, who previously established the Newpoint community in Beaufort, South Carolina. Features of the community include extensive sidewalks, shared public green spaces, a trail system and a grid of narrow, traffic calming streets. Most homes are required to have a front porch of not less than eight feet (2.46 m) in depth. Floor heights of 10 feet (3.1 m), raised foundations and smaller lot sizes give the community a dense, vertical feel. Overall density of the neighborhood is about 3.8 units per acre (9.4 units per hectare), however most homes are on lots of 1/10 of an acre (0.04 hectares) or less, with large amounts of the community's area being taken up by parks, trails, lakes, sidewalks and other common areas.
The community is home to East Cooper Montessori Charter School, one of the first, successful Charter Schools in South Carolina. The school enrolls about 80 children in grades K-7 and is planning a permanent building. The school's campus is small and students make use of community playgrounds and green spaces which are within walkable distance.
The community takes its name from Jacob Bond I'On, a member of the family which once owned the land. I'On was the first Mayor of the Town of Sullivan's Island. In historic records his name appears variously as I'On, I'on, Ion and 'Ion. A monument to I'On erected in the 19th century stands in the Northwest part of the community at the center of a one acre historic family cemetery which is open to visit. A historic marker with facts about Jacob Bond I'On's life can be found where the community is entered from a round-a-bout on Mathis Ferry Road.
The I'On Community includes a wildlife refuge, called the Rookery, several walking trails, two large lakes, several parks and a commercial center called I'On Square which serves as the community gateway. There are approximately five miles of soft surface walking trail within the community and 12 miles of sidewalk, making a popular walking area for residents from throughout the surrounding communities. The community is connected to surrounding communities by five roads and two pedestrian walkways. A detailed walking tour of the community is available, the I'On Village Walk for which a guide can be downloaded from I'On Community Website
I'On Biznet, [www.ionbiznet.com] the community business association, hosts an annual on the streets Bicycle Race each spring and other community events, including a community Market on I'On Square in October and May. The I'On Trust, [www.theiontrust.org], a community civic and cultural foundation, sponsors concerts, lectures and other programs. The Community of I'On Artists holds classes, presents art shows and coordinates regular workshops. I'Onissimo! is a community musical organization with String, Vocal, Woodwind and Brass Groups.
A low power AM radio station serves the neighoborhood, which also streams to the web through [www.ionradio1640.com].
As one of the early examples of new urbanist traditional neighoborhood development, I'On draws many visitors interested in town planning. Proximity to Mt. Pleasant's historic "Old Village" from which I'On drew many planning elements and world famous downtown Charleston, South Carolina allows planners to experience and compare both the new community and its historic models.
Infrastructure development in the community should be finished by early 2007 with residential construction expected to continue for three years or more after that. The community will ultimately be home to about 1,800 residents, 40 resident businesses, one school with an enrollment of approximately 150 students and two churches.
