CHARLESTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Committee Room (B-225), 2nd Floor, Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, SC
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
2:00 P.M.
________________________________________________________________________________
I.
CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS
II.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
III.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE JANUARY 12, 2015 MEETING
IV.
CORRESPONDENCE
V.
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT REQUEST:
a. ZREZ-12-14-19983: Request to rezone property located at 7409 Rock Street, North Charleston
(TMS 484-14-00-087) from Single Family Residential 4 (R-4) to Residential Office (OR). (Property
size: 0.32 acres)
VI.
PRESENTATION: RIVERLAND DRIVE CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
Guest Speaker: Nick Pergakes, Senior Planner, BCDCOG
VII.
PRESENTATION: COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS UPDATE
Guest Speaker: Steve Thigpen, Director, Charleston County Transportation Development Department
VIII.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Historic Preservation Committee Report
b. Spring Grove Development Review Committee Report
c. Affordable Housing Committee Report
IX.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
X.
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
XI.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
XII.
NEXT MEETING DATE: MARCH 9, 2015
XIII.
ADJOURNMENT
www.charlestoncounty.org
DRAFT
CHARLESTON COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 12, 2015
Chair Eric Meyer called the Charleston County Planning Commission meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. in
Room B-225 at the Lonnie Hamilton, III, Public Services Building, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North
Charleston, SC, 29405.
Planning Commission members in attendance included: Chair Eric Meyer; Vice Chair George
Freeman; David Kent; Amy Fabri; Warwick Jones; Kip Bowman; Sussan Chavis; Charlie Smith; and
Cindy Floyd.
County staff in attendance included: Dan Pennick, Director of Zoning/Planning; Joel Evans, Planner
IV; Austin Bruner, Assistant County Attorney; Andrea Pietras, Planner II; Lisa McCray, Planner II; Luz
Agudelo, Code Enforcement Officer; Andrea Harris-Long, Planner I; and Wilma Singleton,
Administrative Assistant II.
Public in attendance included: Jeremy Gilbert; Ellen Carroll; Linda Blanchard; Lynn Mefford; Susan
Thompson; Susan Griffin; Carmen Nash; Frances Waite; John DeStefano; Christine Yriart; Richard
Yriart; and Christine Holderness.
Chair Meyer briefly explained the function of the Planning Commission and introduced the
Commissioners, then asked Dan Pennick to introduce the County staff. After reviewing the meeting’s
compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, Chair Meyer requested a motion to approve the
December 8, 2014 meeting minutes. Warwick Jones made a motion to approve, which was seconded
by Charlie Smith. The motion resulted in a vote of 8 to 0 for approval with no abstentions (Kip
Bowman arrived after the vote.)
CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Meyer announced that there was no correspondence.
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT REQUESTS:
Chair Meyer announced that there were no zoning map amendment requests.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS ORDINANCE (ZLDR):
Chair Meyer asked for the next item on the agenda, which was the discussion of proposed
amendments to the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR).
a. Article 5.12, Highway 61 Overlay Zoning District: Add a new overlay zoning district for
development from Ashley Hall Road to Church Creek along the Highway 61 Corridor in the St.
Andrews Area.
Joel Evans reviewed the proposed amendments and upon completion of his presentation, a
discussion among Planning Commission members ensued. Commission Member Warwick
Jones inquired whether or not the City of Charleston had adopted the proposed overlay. Mr.
Evans responded that the City had attended the public meetings and then introduced Sue
Griffin, a City employee present to speak on the top. Ms. Griffin stated that the City is aware
and in support of the overlay. She also spoke briefly regarding the code enforcement issues
and inconsistencies among County and City regulations that could be addressed by enacting
the overlay zoning district.
Commission Member Charlie Smith voiced concern about the City of Charleston not adopting
similar regulations in coordination with the County.
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DRAFT
Commission Member Kip Bowman then voiced concerns about the Village Commercial
area specifically and the proposed limitations on building heights for multi-family
development in the area. Mr. Evans responded that the community was very persistent that
buildings be capped at 35 feet to remain in character with the existing development. He
stated the community also did not want to see any new multi-family development occur in
this area unless it was part of a mixed use development. Mr. Bowman stated that using a
stepped approach to accommodate higher buildings, as allowed in other sub-areas, may be
suitable in this area.
Mr. Smith then requested that staff consider limiting the ingress and egress of interior nonresidential lots to residential streets. Mr. Pennick stated that this is something that could be
beneficial for many areas of the County, not just this particular corridor, and staff will look
into amending the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance to address this.
After all Planning Commission questions were answered and discussion complete, Chair Meyer
recognized the following speakers who spoke in favor of the proposed amendments.
•
•
•
•
Richard Yriart – 2428 Vaucluse Road;
Lynn Meffert – 2196 Pierpont Avenue;
Susan Thompson 1716 Ashley River Road; and
Jeremy Gilbert – 1991 Ashley River Road.
There being no one else to speak in favor of or against this amendment, Chair Meyer asked for
a motion. Charlie Smith made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Cindy Floyd. The
motion resulted in a vote of 8 to 1 for approval with no abstentions (Kip Bowman voted in
opposition).
b. Prioritize ZLDR amendments to implement the Comprehensive Plan Annual Work Program
Andrea Pietras reviewed the proposed prioritization of work plan items. Following Planning
Commission’s discussion, Chair Meyer recognized the following speakers who spoke in favor of
work plan items in the DuPont Road, Wappoo Road, and Betsy Road Areas:
•
•
Carmen Nash – 507 Risher Street; and
Frances Waite – 1816 Pebble Street.
There being no one else to speak either in favor or against this work plan, Chair Meyer moved on to
the committee reports.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT:
Committee Chair David Kent reported that the completed grant application was included in the
Planning Commission binders. After all questions were answered regarding the application, Chair
Meyer asked for a motion to approve the submittal of the application to the State Historic Preservation
Office. Cindy Floyd made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Charlie Smith. The motion
resulted in a vote of 9 to 0 for approval.
SPRING GROVE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT:
Committee Chair Cindy Floyd reported that the Committee members are still waiting to hear from
MWV’s attorneys regarding staff’s recent comments on the application materials and the revisions to
the proposed Development Agreement.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT:
Committee Chair Charlie Smith noted that he did not have anything new to report.
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DRAFT
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Mr. Pennick briefly reviewed the Director’s Report with Commission members.
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS:
Chair Meyer announced that elections for Chair and Vice Chair will be held at the next Planning
Commission meeting which will be on Monday, February 9, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in Council Committee
Room, Room B-225, located on the second floor of the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building.
There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 4:18
p.m.
Wilma Singleton
Recording for the Planning Department
Ratified by the Charleston County Planning Commission
this 9th day of February, 2015.
Eric Meyer
Chair
Attest:
Dan Pennick, AICP, Director
Zoning & Planning Department
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DRAFT
PLANNING COMMISSION DISCLAIMER:
UNRATIFIED MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2015 MEETING
This document is a draft of the minutes of the most recent meeting of the
Charleston County Planning Commission. The members of the Planning
Commission have neither reviewed nor approved this document; therefore,
these minutes shall only become official meeting minutes after adoption by the
Planning Commission at a public meeting of the Commission.
4
Daniel C. Pennick, AICP
Director
ZONING & PLANNING
DEPARTMENT
843.202.7200
Fax: 843.202.7222
Lonnie Hamilton, III
Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405-7464
CHARLESTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
February 9, 2015
Zoning Map Amendment Case Summary: ZREZ-12-14-19983
Council District: 6
Overview:
The applicant is requesting a zoning change for property located at 7409 Rock Street, North
Charleston (PID: 484-14-00-087). The applicant is requesting to rezone from the Single
Family Residential 4 (R-4) Zoning District to the Residential Office (OR) Zoning District.
The subject property is approximately 0.32 acres in size and contains a residence.
History:
No zoning map amendment applications have been submitted for this property prior to this
request.
Adjacent Zoning:
Adjacent properties to the north and east are also zoned Single Family Residential 4 (R-4)
and contain primarily residential uses. The adjacent parcel to the south is zoned Community
Commercial (CC) and contains a residence. Adjacent parcels to the west are zoned Light
Industrial in the City of North Charleston and contain commercial uses.
Staff Recommendation:
According to Section §3.4.6 of the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance
(ZLDR), zoning map amendments may be approved by County Council only if the proposed
amendment meets one or more of the following criteria:
A. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the stated
purposes of this Ordinance;
Staff response: The Charleston County Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) recommends
Urban/Suburban Mixed Use future land use for the subject property and adjacent
properties located in the County. This recommendation “encourages compatible mixed
use development and a general land use pattern that includes a variety of housing types,
retail, service, employment… to allow growth to occur within the Urban Growth
1
Boundary [Page 36].” While there are some commercial uses near the subject property
(closer to Ashley Phosphate Road), the Rock Street area is primarily residential in nature.
B. The proposed amendment will allow development that is compatible with existing
uses, recommended density, established dimensional standards, and zoning of
nearby properties that will benefit the public good while avoiding an arbitrary
change that primarily benefits a singular or solitary interest;
Staff response: Properties to the west of the subject property are zoned Light Industrial
within the City of North Charleston and contain commercial uses; however, properties
in the County adjacent to the subject property are zoned for and contain primarily
residential uses. While the requested zoning district, Residential Office (OR), requires
that structures are compatible with the established architectural character of the existing
neighborhood, allowing commercial uses as you enter the existing Rock Street
neighborhood may not be appropriate.
C. The proposed amendment corrects a zoning map error or inconsistency;
Staff response: Not applicable.
D. The proposed amendment addresses events, trends, or facts that have significantly
changed the character or condition of an area.
Staff response: As the subject property is near a major thoroughfare in North
Charleston (Ashley Phosphate Road), commercial uses have become more prevalent
around this area in recent years; however, residential uses may be more appropriate for
properties lacking direct access to major thoroughfares (such as the subject property).
Staff recommends disapproval.
Notifications:
A total of 91 notification letters were sent to owners of property located within 300 feet
of the boundaries of the subject parcel and individuals on the North Area Interested
Parties List on January 23, 2015.
2
Charleston County
Zoning Map Amendment
Requests
Public Hearing – March 10, 2015
Planning & Public Works Committee –
March 19, 2015
Rezoning Case ZREZ-12-14-19983
• North Area:
7409 Rock Street
North Charleston, SC 29420
• Parcel I.D.:
484-14-00-087
• Request to change from Single Family Residential 4 (R-4)
Zoning District to the Residential Office (OR) Zoning District
• Applicant/Owner :
Jon and Heidi Sezginalp
303 Back Pond Court, Charleston, SC 29492
• Acreage:
0.32 acres
• Council District:
6
Rezoning Case ZREZ-12-14-19983 History
No zoning map amendment applications have
been submitted for this property prior to this
request.
Urban/Suburban Area
Future Land Use Recommendations
Charleston County Comprehensive Plan (2015)
Subject Property
Subject Property
ZREZ-12-14-19983 Area Description
The subject property is currently zoned Single Family Residential 4 (R-4) and contains a residence. Adjacent
properties to the north and east are also zoned R-4 and contain primarily residential uses. The adjacent
parcel to the south is zoned Community Commercial (CC) and contains a residence. Adjacent parcels to the
west are zoned Light Industrial in the City of North Charleston and contain commercial uses.
Subject Parcel to the South
Subject Property
Subject Parcel to the West
Subject Property
ZREZ-12-14-19983
2 – Adjacent Property
1 – Subject Property
ZREZ-12-14-19983
4 – Adjacent Parcel
3 – Adjacent Parcel
ZREZ-12-14-19983
Typical Allowed Uses
R-4
OR
• Density: 4 dwelling units/acre
• Density: 4 dwelling units/acre
• Single-family detached
• Medical office or outpatient clinic
• Family day care home
• Administrative or business office
• Community recreation
• Government office
• Professional office
• Counseling services
• Court of law
• Family day care home
• Cemeteries or crematories
• Funeral services
Approval Criteria—Section 3.4.6
According to Section 3.4.6 of the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance
(ZLDR), zoning map amendments may be approved by County Council only if the proposed
amendment meets one or more of the following criteria:
A. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the stated
purposes of this Ordinance;
Staff response: The Charleston County Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) recommends
Urban/Suburban Mixed Use future land use for the subject property and adjacent properties
located in the County. This recommendation “encourages compatible mixed use development
and a general land use pattern that includes a variety of housing types, retail, service,
employment… to allow growth to occur within the Urban Growth Boundary [Page 36].” While
there are some commercial uses and zoning near the subject property (closer to Ashley
Phosphate Road), the Rock Street area is primarily residential in nature.
B. The proposed amendment will allow development that is compatible with existing uses,
recommended density, established dimensional standards, and zoning of nearby properties
that will benefit the public good while avoiding an arbitrary change that primarily benefits a
singular or solitary interest;
Staff response: Properties to the west of the subject property are zoned Light Industrial within
the City of North Charleston and contain commercial uses; however, properties in the County
adjacent to the subject property are zoned for and contain primarily residential uses. While
the requested zoning district, Residential Office (OR), requires that structures are compatible
with the established architectural character of the existing neighborhood, allowing commercial
uses as you enter the existing Rock Street neighborhood may not be appropriate.
Approval Criteria—Section 3.4.6 (cont’d)
C. The proposed amendment corrects a zoning map error or inconsistency;
Staff response: Not applicable.
D. The proposed amendment addresses events, trends, or facts that have
significantly changed the character or condition of an area.
Staff response: As the subject property is near a major thoroughfare in
North Charleston (Ashley Phosphate Road), commercial uses have become
more prevalent around this area in recent years; however, residential uses
may be more appropriate for properties lacking direct access to major
thoroughfares (such as the subject property).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval
ZREZ-12-14-19983 Notifications/Responses
• Notifications:
– January 23, 2015: 91 notifications were sent to owners
of property located within 300 feet of the boundaries of
the subject parcel and individuals on the North Area
Interested Parties List
Charleston County
Zoning Map Amendment
Requests
Public Hearing – March 10, 2015
Planning & Public Works Committee –
March 19, 2015