Charleston County, SC
Comprehensive Plan Public Engagement
Charleston County Council wanted to get ahead of the future, so they kicked off a process to update the County’s Comprehensive Plan. This was only the second of its kind in the county’s history. Planning NEXT was brought on as part of the McBride Dale Clarion team to lead the public engagement process for the plan, called Guiding the Future for a Lasting Lowcountry. The work centered on one big idea: stewardship. That meant thinking carefully about how the county could grow while still honoring its history, cultural heritage, and the natural environment that makes the Lowcountry so special.
Robust Engagement.
An extensive public input and outreach effort served as the foundation for the Plan’s goals, objectives, and policies. The public process was designed to involve people, communities and constituencies that have historically not participated in county planning. Over five-hundred people participated in the first two rounds of public workshops, contributing ideas on themes such as rural/historic preservation, sustainable development, slowing sprawl, protecting wetlands and waterways and providing quality open space
Organized for Implementation.
The final plan takes shape around nine elements (population, economy, natural resources, cultural resources, housing, community facilities, land use, transportation and priority investment) and serves as an expression of the County’s intent for how and where future growth and development should occur given the Lowcountry’s unique character and natural conditions. The Plan received the 2010 Outstanding Project Award from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Related News
Tags
Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: county
Client: Charleston County
Services: public engagement
