The municipalities near Morris Island seem to want no part of a proposed development there, meaning the history-soaked island likely would be developed either under county rules or not at all.

Currently, those rules would allow only a fraction of the development being envisioned for the small barrier island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.

WADE SPEES/STAFF Civil War re-enactor George Hughes applauds the vocal opposition to proposed development on Morris Island during a James Island Town Council meeting Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the town of James Island joined historic and environmental groups in opposing plans for the development, which would involve some 20 houses near the northern tip of the island.

James Island Town Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that said any development would harm the island's "historical and cultural character," among other things.

That would seem to preclude any possibility of annexing the land into the town in order to get away from restrictive Charleston County zoning rules.

Passions on the issue run high. About 100 people attended James Island's meeting Tuesday, and about 20 of them spoke to an applauding crowd before council unanimously passed its anti-development resolution. The room held a mixture of conservationists, town residents, historic preservationists, surfers and Civil War re-enactors in blue and gray uniforms.

"There's too much blood, both Confederate and Union, to be walked upon and pounded with condominiums," said James Island resident George Hughes, referring to Civil War battles waged on the island.

A re-enactor with the local company of 54th Massachusetts Infantry, Hughes wore a navy blue hat and matching uniform.

WADE SPEES/STAFF Before a James Island Town Council meeting Tuesday, Civil War re-enactors lean over the hood of a car to look at a poster commemorating Morris Island as an endangered battlefield.

James Island Mayor Mary Clark said the town would not consider annexing property to help an owner evade density rules.

"We will not annex anything to desecrate, to destroy it," she said.

The issue arose on James Island after Robert Kline, who is running against Clark for mayor, proposed an anti-development resolution at the last council meeting. The matter then was deferred until Tuesday.

Opposition is not restricted to James Island.

Folly Beach Mayor Vernon Knox said there is no appetite in his city to annex the property either.

"I don't think you'd find anybody on council willing to annex Morris Island," he said.

The development plans have attracted an array of critics. Opponents say the barrier island, which is not far from Fort Sumter and was the site of the Union army's attack on Battery Wagner, needs to be preserved.

Developer Harry Huffman said he is still working to develop the land despite the opposition and that there are arguments on his side, too. "You have certain rights when you own property," he said.

He noted that James Island is fighting against the city of Charleston for its right to exist and said that the resolution does not seem to square with the argument to keep the town.

"It seems that maybe they don't really believe in property rights." he said. "I feel they may have fallen on their own sword."

The land also is close to the city of Charleston. City officials say they will not annex land in order to permit more development than the county allows.

Huffman, who has a contract to buy Morris Island, said he has talked to various governments about the project but has not been planning an annexation.

"We're in the county of Charleston, and we intend to stay in the county of Charleston," he said.

The idea, he said, is to eventually ask the county to rezone the land to allow the 20 units.

Huffman said he is still working on designing the development and that it might be the end of the year before there is a concrete plan. "We're in no hurry," he said.

He said development would take place well back from the beach and that half of the property would be conserved, including areas closest to Battery Wagner, which has largely been washed out to sea.

Huffman also said he would be happy to sell the property to a public agency for preservation.

That nearly took place a few years ago, when U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings was able to secure $4 million in federal dollars to buy the island. An option held by the Trust for Public Land to buy the property had already expired, however. The property also could be purchased with proceeds from the county's half-cent sales tax hike if the tax referendum passes in November.

The James Island meeting included opposition that came in the form of a song.

Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, clad in a brilliant purple gown, noted the island's connection to the Gullah people. Mid-sentence, she sang the words of a spiritual. "Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me! And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave and go home to my Lord and be free," she sang. Several people joined her.

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