At the local level, at least one thing seems to be on everyone’s mind: planning. Several municipalities have spent time this year on their comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, creating opportunities for members of the community and stakeholder groups to provide feedback.
Recently, the Chamber provided feedback to both Charleston County and Berkeley County regarding their comprehensive plans. Berkeley County has been working to finalize the draft of their “One Berkeley” Comprehensive Plan, which can be found here. The plan will address nine key elements, including population, housing and economic development to name a few. In our letter of feedback, we highlighted the importance of advancing our infrastructure and transportation systems, approaching land use with respect to density and attainable housing, and supporting economic development opportunities. This letter was sent to the Planning Commission as they continue to develop the plan, and a copy of the letter can be found here.
Charleston County has spent the last year working on a five-year review of their existing Comprehensive Plan. We submitted a letter of feedback that recognized the County’s ongoing efforts regarding big ticket items like funding for I-526 and the creation of a Housing Plan, while encouraging them to continue working important issues like resiliency and sustainability, economic development, and supporting upcoming projects like the Lowcountry Rapid Transit Line. A copy of the letter submitted to the Planning Commission can be found here, and we expect council to adopt any amendments to the plan later this year.
Why does it matter?
Comprehensive plans are crucial for guiding the growth and development of cities and counties. Reviewing and providing feedback on these plans are important for several reasons, including:
- Ensuring alignment with current needs
- Identifying gaps and issues in pre-existing plans
- Keeping pace with emerging trends and challenges
- Facilitating community engagement through opportunities for public comments and workshops
For any additional questions, please contact me at dcurry@charlestonchamber.org. Also, don’t forget about our upcoming Attainable Housing Week, April 24th – 28th. Details and registration can be found here.
