I'On, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina facts for kids
I'On is a unique neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA. It's close to Charleston. I'On is known for being one of the first "New Urbanist" communities in the United States. This means it was designed to feel like an old-fashioned town. It has homes, shops, and public spaces all close together. People can walk or bike easily. This style of planning is called a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND).
Where is I'On Located?
I'On is about three miles (5 km) east of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. This bridge connects Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Next to the I'On Club, there is a special school. It is called East Cooper Montessori Charter School. It was the first public Montessori school in South Carolina.
How I'On Was Started
The idea for I'On came from Vince Graham. He had also helped create the Newpoint community in Beaufort, South Carolina. I'On was founded on April 30, 1995. It was planned to be a great example of New Urbanism. This style of planning focuses on creating walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.
The community was designed by Dover, Kohl & Partners. Another firm, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, also helped. When I'On was first suggested, some people had concerns. The first plans were for a larger, more diverse village. It would have had over 1,200 homes, including apartments. But these plans were changed. In the end, I'On was built with about 762 single-family homes. It also has a village square and places for public buildings. These include churches and schools.
Building I'On faced some delays. There was a long legal disagreement with the Town of Mount Pleasant. This disagreement went all the way to the South Carolina Supreme Court. The court eventually decided in favor of the I'On Company. This allowed the community to be built.
Important Agreement for Residents
In 2010, two I'On residents, Brad Walbeck and Lea Ann Adkins, started a legal case. They said that some promised features were not given to the Homeowners Association (HOA). The HOA is a group that manages the community. After many years and appeals, the South Carolina Supreme Court made a final decision in 2023. The court sided with the homeowners. This meant the I'On Company had to pay the HOA money. This money was to make up for the promised features.
