Sea Islands Part 1: Revisit Zoning Classification Densities & Heights

If I were Mayor: I would ask City Planning Department staff to Revise the City’s “Century V City Plan” (comprehensive plan) to lower densities in zoning classifications on James and Johns Islands. I would also ask that heights be lowered for new construction on the sea islands. I would put a moratorium on the building of multi-family apartment complexes on the sea islands. I would eliminate the Gathering Place zoning from the sea islands, which has no maximum density and has been controversial and rejected by islanders.  I would value and respect the sea islands and promote ways to preserve and protect them.

Sea Islands Part 2: Green Space

Susan’s set of ideas for the Sea Islands continues:

I would obtain the funding to purchase more land on the sea islands for green space. I would complete the promised Dog Walking Park and Walking Trails on the tract purchased by the City next door to the James Island Rec Center called the “Harbor Woods Tract” (12 acres), which currently sits ignored. I would value and respect the sea islands and promote ways to preserve and protect them.

“West Ashley Village”

The short drive between South Windemere Shopping Center and the Ashley River bridge is the saddest little strip of poorly maintained properties. Both sides of the road are zoned for single family residences only. I believe all of these houses are rental properties, which is easy to understand since buying a house on such a busy route is not very desirable. If these two sides of the road were zoned commercial and entrepreneurs were encouraged to open tea houses, toy stores, clothing stores, etc the neighborhood would definitely start to look a lot better since most businesses invest creative thought, time and money to make their places look desirable to visit. With the existing sidewalks one can easily imagine the foot traffic between the South Windemere Shopping Center and the apartments/conos that are going up at the Albemarle intersection. If the Citadel Mall’s reconditioning is supposed to be the West Ashley Downtown, this could be the West Ashley Village. If that’s too confusing, then call it South Windemere Village. And while you’re at it….. take the parking along Windemere Blvd and make it a city street so that userous fees for parking overnight can be eliminated!

Biologist at Arms

I’d empower an environmental biologist on my staff to protect our surrounding wetlands. Wetlands act like a giant sponge holding flood waters back. It’s not the ultimate solution, but it will buy us time as the sea rises.

Pedestrian Walkway Cleanup

I heard some chatter about this idea a while back but don’t know if any action has been taken since:
In order to access the pedestrian bridge over the crosstown, you must walk through a short block of abandoned, condemned and otherwise poorly maintained buildings off of the Line Street side. On the other side of these buildings is the very small Elliotborough park. If I were mayor, I would like to demolish these buildings and expand the park – perhaps with a fountain, walking trail, gardens and benches. It would beautify the neighborhood and also increase use of the bridge.

Small Parks on Upper King Street.

With the massive amounts of hotels being built downtown, we really need to think about green space. Can the City work with the Charleston County Park Service on buying some of the rare land that comes up for sale occasionally for green space? A key piece right now is next to Indaco Restaurant. It would be much better to have benches, landscaping and a fountain there than another building.

Downtown living for key workers

We have an issue with gentrification and its unlikely to go away. Making houses more affordable means building smartly and lowering the build cost whilst maintaining the downtown experience and walkable lifestyles. We may want to consider a special zoning ordinance for micro house development in a similar way to other US cities such as Portland or Denver. A modification to MU with a rental restriction based as a % of market rate for the area. Small but beautifully appointed houses build for a city where outside can be inside 9 months of the year. Lower build cost and lower rentals to retain key workers in our city precincts.

Well Being Index

Build a public private partnership to develop a local Well Being (or Happiness) Index – use data and surveys to measure economic, social, and community engagement levels, and peoples satsifaction with their lives and community. Use the index for public and community planning.

Platinum benefits

Our platinum citizens (senior citizens) are important to the fabric of Charleston, a city long known for its multi-generational social life – though not as much these days. When traveling in Europe it is very gratifying to see old men and women out for their daily walks or dining with friends. It would be nice to see our senior citizens in public places (i.e., Marion Park, King St.) instead of picturing them corralled out to facilities in the suburbs. We need appropriate housing in town for our wise, insightful, amusing platinum brothers and sisters.

Johns Island recreation

Allocate funds for the building of a recreational center in the Johns Island city park.

Convene a meeting with Reverend Mary Stoney, president of Sea Island Alliance of Ministries, Tumiko Rucker, Kiawah Town Administrator, and Liberty Fellowship, a Spartanburg, South Carolina-based organization endorsing statewide leadership and empowering local officials to carry out beneficial, large-scale community projects.

A year and a half ago these individuals and organization shared an enthusiasm with Mayor Riley and other city officials but the city has not moved forward due to lack of funds. Currently Johns Island is experiencing unprecedented development within and without the city limits. Certainly funds can now be made available.

This article gives a good case for why something of this sort is needed on Johns Island.  Though, the article erroneously tags the park as a county park, it is in fact a Charleston city park.

Digital Public Meetings

Make city meetings (public hearings, city council, etcetera) available via live streaming with real time feedback to allow access by more people, including those with families, young people and people with limited mobility.

Create a Heritage Walking Tour in Cannonborough

Facilitate activities and services that will focus on preserving green space with a mission of fostering the development and creation of an American heritage park site, including historical Native American, African American, and Jewish American social, cultural, and economic institutions within the Cannonborough neighborhood and surrounding blocks.

Focus will be on institutions and individuals who were key to the development of this area and who worked for social change and civil rights within the broader context of Charleston and SC.

The converted praise church will be a new community center within DeReef Park housing displays and documentation for residents and tourists to observe.

Friends of DeReef Park

COMMUNITY POLICING

Promote collaborative partnerships between police and the individuals, neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems, and increase effectiveness and trust.