Opinion ID: 1415725
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: What classification is created by subsection (A)(4)?

Text: The parties stipulated that without the contiguity provision of (A)(4) allowing Town to use marshes and waterways previously annexed by City, Town could not reach the 15,000 population threshold. City and Town each presented expert testimony regarding the potential application of subsection (A)(4) in different geographic areas of the State. The main thrust of City's evidence was that James Island was the only geographic area that needed subsection (A)(4) to reach the 15,000 population threshold. Town, on the other hand, presented evidence that at least three other unincorporated areas  outside Conway, Greer, and Summerville  could use subsection (A)(4) to create contiguity. Town's expert testified that City's evidence failed to take into account the fact that municipal incorporation depended not strictly upon geography but also upon political will which could influence whether the 15,000 population threshold would be needed for a politically desired configuration. The trial court found subsection (A)(4) created a class consisting only of James Island because only James Island needed to use it to meet the 15,000 population threshold. We disagree. The application of subsection (A)(4) is not limited to unincorporated areas that need to reach the 15,000 population threshold. Subsection (A)(4) applies to any unincorporated area that is geographically configured so that it may establish contiguity using previously annexed marshland and waterways, regardless of whether the 15,000 population threshold is a factor in the incorporation. The evidence is undisputed that at least three other unincorporated areas in the State are so configured and could use subsection (A)(4) to establish contiguity for incorporation. Accordingly, the class created by subsection (A)(4) is not limited to James Island.