Town of Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan
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Town of Sullivan’s Island South Carolina 2008 Comprehensive Plan (updated 2013) FINAL Ratified by Town Council Ordinance 2014-5: July 15, 2014 Approved and Recommended to Town Council by Planning Commission Resolution: May 8, 2013 Special Council Meeting (Public Hearing): June 17, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting (Public Hearing): May 8, 2013 TOWN OF SULLIVAN'S ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA 2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (as updated 2013-2014) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number I. Introduction (Chapter 1) 1-3 II. Needs, Goals & Implementation Strategy for 4-24 Each Nine Elements (Chapter 2) III. Population Element (Chapter 3) 25-30 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 31 IV. Economic Element (Chapter 4) 32-36 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 37 III. Cultural Resources Element (Chapter 5) 38-50 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 51-52 IV. Natural Resources Element (Chapter 6) 53-65 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 66-69 IV. Community Facilities Element (Chapter 7) 70-77 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 78-84 V. Housing Element (Chapter 8) 85-94 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 95 VI. Land Use Element (Chapter 9) 96-106 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 107-108 VII. Transportation Element (Chapter 10) 109-113 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 114-116 VIII Priority Investment Element (Chapter 11) 117-119 Needs/Goals/Implementation Strategies 120 Needs and Goals Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan (2008) INTRODUCTION: The 1994 Local Government Planning Enabling Act (Title 6, Chapter 29 of the State Code) that re-established local authority to enact land use regulations also reminds local governments that a Comprehensive Plan is the first essential step in that process. Each municipality in South Carolina is required to create a Comprehensive Plan, to review and evaluate its plan every five years, and to update its plan every 10 years. The Town of Sullivan's Island completed its first Comprehensive Plan in 1998 and its first ten (10) year review in 2008. A five (5) year interim review of the Plan was conducted in 2013 as provided for in SC Code Section 6-29-340. The documents contained herein represent the Town of Sullivan's Island 2008 Comprehensive Plan updated in 2013. This Plan should be used as a vision for our community and a long range plan to make that vision become a reality. It includes three basic components: • An inventory or description of existing conditions and trends • Defined needs and goals for the next decade • Implementation strategies to achieve these needs and goals The Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan preparation process was local, consensus based, and open to public comment and input at every step. It was conducted by the Planning Commission, a group of seven volunteers appointed by elected Town Council members. Town Staff gleaned information from a variety of sources, to include the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Government (BCD-COG), South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)/Ocean and Conservation Resources Management (OCRM), and 2010 census data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Planning Commission worked with Town Staff to review and update basic information about the community. This information is contained in nine elements which comprise a substantial amount of this document. These elements are • Population • Economic • Cultural Resources • Natural Resources • Community Facilities • Housing • Land Use • Transportation • Priority Investment 2013-2014 UPDATE 1 of 113 Needs and Goals Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan (2008) Needs, goals and implementation strategies flow from the information gathered in these elements. Our community began the review process on March 14, 2013 at a public meeting held at Town Hall (2050-B Middle Street). A total of between 10 and 15 hours of meetings were held by the Planning Commission to develop this document. Many hours were also spent editing drafts of the elements and verifying information contained therein. The final draft of the Comprehensive Plan will be reviewed by Town Council and presented to the public after Council’s initial review. Council will approve any final document after a public hearing and ordinance process wherein Council may make modifications to any or all of the components of the Plan.The 2008 Comprehensive Plan, as updated in 2013, attempts to recognize the long and rich history of Sullivan's Island, its tradition as a residential community, its unique nature as a barrier island, its historic buildings, and special sense of place. The most important issues identified by residents completing a questionnaire at the initial Comprehensive Plan public forum in 2008 continue to be of primary consideration during this interim planning review process. Those issues were: 1. Maintaining the small town atmosphere 2. Preserving the open space 3. Protecting the natural environment 4. Preserving historic buildings and sites The principal goals developed during the planning process reflect not only the citizen input, but also consensus developed among the Planning Commission membership. These goals are: • To protect the Town's special sense of place • To protect the single-family residential character • To value and preserve the integrity of the island way of life • To protect sites significant to the Town history and natural beauty including the beaches, marsh and other natural areas. 2013-2014 UPDATE 2 of 113 • Needs and Goals • Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan (2008) The 2008 Town of Sullivan's Island Comprehensive Plan, as updated in 2013, incorporates a review of the required elements, provides needs and goals with an implementation strategy, and is a product of Planning Commission consensus after extensive deliberation and public input. With Town Council approval of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, as updated in 2013, the provisions of the enabling act will have been met and a vision for the Town's future achieved. 2013-2014 UPDATE 3 of 113 Needs and Goals – Chapter 2 Sullivan’s Island Comprehensive Plan (2008) POPULATION ELEMENT The population of Sullivan’s Island has increased steadily since the 1950’s and is projected to continue to experience slow growth. No large tracts of undeveloped property or available adjacent lands exist for annexation. Because of this, the population element and goals focus less on the future population numbers and more on the future makeup of the population and the needs of these residents. 1. Continue to promote a sense of community among the residents. Implementation Support both public and private community events that foster a sense of community (ie. Fourth of July celebrations, Christmas Tree lightings, children’s events, etc) (Town Council; Town Administration; Ongoing) Implementation Encourage volunteerism among Island residents. (Town Administration; Ongoing) 2. Continue to protect and foster the view that Sullivan’s Island is a family- oriented island. Implementation Keep population density low through maintaining the predominant half-acre lot sizes and other regulations. (Town Council, Ongoing) Implementation Maintain main zoning district as single family residential. (Town Council, Ongoing) Implementation Continue to prohibit additional multi-family development in the residential districts (R1) on the Island. (Town Council, Ongoing) Implementation Continue to regulate or control vacation or short-term rentals to discourage the use of these properties for events attracting large groups. (Town Council; Ongoing) Implementation Continue to regulate the vacation or short-term rentals on the Island paying particular attention to restrictions already in place including items such as number of tenants, parking, permitted activities, licenses, etc. (Town Council; Ongoing) 2013-2014 Update 4 of 113 Needs and Goals – Chapter 2 Sullivan’s Island Comprehensive Plan (2008) ECONOMIC ELEMENT The Town of Sullivan’s Island has a small commercial district with shops, restaurants and offices. Most of the residents do not work on the Island. The economic health of the Island’s residents and commercial district is good. For example, the population’s average income is above the County average. The goals focus on ways to preserve the high quality of community life while enjoying a viable commercial district. NEEDS AND GOALS: 1. Land use regulations and zoning ordinances should provide for a commercial district consistent with the scale and family atmosphere of the Island and provide for a constrained but sustainable economic base. Implementation Limit new businesses to those fitting the scale and atmosphere of the Island that don’t unreasonably exacerbate existing problems or services. (Town Council; Ongoing) Implementation New businesses should reflect and enhance the Island’s quality of life, family atmosphere and visual landscape. (Town Council; Ongoing) 2. The development of vacant commercial property (including renovations and replacement) should have a positive impact on the Island overall. Implementation Implement a Community Commercial District Master Plan that will include guidelines for the future uses, visual impact, and streetscape of the commercial district. (Town Council, Short Term) Implementation After the Town has reached a consensus on a commercial district visionary plan, draft ordinances or take other actions that implement that vision, such as capital improvements, permitted uses, parking, public safety, neighborhood compatibility, design guidelines and landscaping requirements. (Town Council; Planning