Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2019 MINUTES Attachment 1—PowerPoint Presentation Present: Joseph Wren, Chair, Roy Neal, George Gates, DeAudre Gregg, John McNeill, Kathy Smith, Rodly Millet, Tripp Cuttino (entered at 11:28 am). Absent: Peter Lehman Staff: Eric DeMoura, Jeff Ulma, Brad Morrison, Kent Prause, Michele Canon, Liz Boyles, Austin Rutherford, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Wren called the meeting to order at 11:03 am. 1. Approval of Agenda Ms. Smith moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Public Comment Period There being no public comment, Mr. Wren continued with the agenda. 3. Discussion of Issues & Public Comments related to the Draft Comprehensive Plan Mr. Neal stated that the forum worked very hard as well as staff and suggested that their recommendations should be taken into consideration and not torn apart. He suggested that it should be forwarded to Town Council as presented to the Commission. He stated that there have been some recommendations that the Commission has expressed but suggested that the draft plan should move forward to Town Council. Mr. Neal moved for approval of the draft Comprehensive Plan as presented. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. Mr. Millet asked if this would be completed today. Mr. Neal answered in the affirmative. Mr. Millet suggested that there are a few items that should be discussed and reviewed prior to forwarding to Town Council.  Special Planning Commission January 30, 2019 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Neal suggested that it could be approved as presented with a recommendation on those few outstanding items. Ms. Smith stated that she agrees with not making significant changes but suggested that the Commission’s recommendations should also be included with the draft plan. She suggested that the Commission should have a dialogue with staff on those items. Ms. Gregg stated that the forum wanted to have an opportunity to meet with the Commission to discuss the Commission recommendations and suggested that if desired, this should be accomplished. Mr. Wren suggested that the Commission’s recommendations should be included as a separate section. Mr. Gates asked if the Commission could complete their recommendations as an addendum. He suggested, for instance, that including the recommendation of the cultural survey should be included. Ms. Boyles agreed and stated that the Commission can include their recommendations in addition to what was recommended by the forum. Mr. Millet suggested that there should also be ample opportunity for the public to comment on the plan. Mr. McNeill suggested that the Commission has a duty and responsibility to review the draft plan. He agreed that the draft plan should not be completely “torn apart”. Mr. Wren called for a vote on the motion. Motion failed on a 2 to 5 vote with Mr. Gates and Mr. Neal in favor; Ms. Gregg, Mr. McNeill, Mr. Wren, Ms. Smith and Mr. Millet opposed. Mr. Neal left at this time (11:16 am). Mr. Ulma reviewed the Comprehensive Plan process and how the special area plans would be accomplished with the Commission through a PP presentation (attachment 1).  Special Planning Commission January 30, 2019 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Millet asked how the recommendations would be implemented. Mr. Ulma answered that there is a recommendation in the Comprehensive Plan to have an oversight committee. Mr. Cuttino entered at this time (11:28 am). Mr. McNeill stated that the plan is not static and there would be changes in the future. He asked if special area plans would be considered spot zoning. Mr. Ulma stated that the area plans would include recommendations on how an area should be developed as opposed to dictating a specific zoning classification. Ms. Gregg asked how the area plans would be developed. Mr. Ulma answered that it would be similar to the Comprehensive Plan effort with special meetings, public meetings, etc. Ms. Smith asked how the Shoppes at Seaside Farms would be classified. Ms. Boyles answered that it would be considered a community hub. Ms. Smith asked the difference between the hubs. Ms. Boyles answered that community hubs are under 100 acres; regional hubs are over 100 acres and include hotels. Ms. Boyles reviewed the recommendations within the Comprehensive Plan with the Commission. Mr. McNeill asked if the nine elements are statutory. Ms. Boyles answered in the affirmative. Mr. McNeill asked if affordable housing would be part of the variety of housing types as listed on page 2-3 item D. Ms. Boyles answered in the affirmative and stated that the forum wanted to make sure that it was clear that affordable housing would have criteria that the potential home buyer would need to meet. Ms. Smith asked about redevelopment and how the recommendation of a hub would be accomplished. Ms. Boyles answered that the special area plan would outline some guidelines for redevelopment that could include multiple uses such as restaurants, office, transit, residential, open space, pedestrian access, etc. Mr. McNeill suggested that the related sections should be included next to the pertinent sections. Ms. Boyles answered that this could be accomplished and  Special Planning Commission January 30, 2019 Page 4 of 5 noted that the online version would include hyperlinks. Mr. McNeill suggested that the appendix should be numbered as the rest of the document as opposed to changing to an alpha numbering system. Mr. McNeill also suggested that the hubs should have some commonality and similar elements to ensure that the overall character of the Town is maintained. Mr. McNeill suggested that there should be some language to note the commonality. Ms. Smith suggested that it should be determined if the Town should still be considered the bedroom community to the City of Charleston or do we determine that the Town should be its own entity with its own identity. Mr. Millet agreed with Ms. Smith that the identity of the Town for the future should be determined and then outlined. The Commission convened at 12:22 pm for a short break and reconvened at 12:28 pm. Ms. Gregg asked if the housing information is relevant and is consistent with what is seen with the citizens. Ms. Boyles answered that she would check on what information is included. She stated there was discussion on using the Charleston region information as opposed to only Mount Pleasant to ensure to account for those that work in Mount Pleasant, but currently cannot afford to live in Mount Pleasant. Mr. Millet asked about affordable housing and how it can be preserved as opposed to converting to market sales. Ms. Boyles answered that one of the recommendations would be to require developments to have 20% of the units affordable housing and keeping them as affordable housing for a minimum of 25 years. Mr. Gates stated that the state of New Jersey has the “Mount Royal statute” that has similar requirements that was upheld in the state supreme court and suggested that this could be used as a template for affordable housing. Mr. Wren asked if there was a recommendation to form an advisory committee that works with Charleston County. Ms. Boyles answered in the negative, but stated that this could be included if desired.  Special Planning Commission January 30, 2019 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Gregg stated that all of the settlement communities should be given consideration and protection against future redevelopment. Mr. Millet asked if the forum was familiar with the agreement between Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW) and the Town. Ms. Boyles answered in the affirmative and stated that MPW gave a presentation to the forum. Mr. Millet suggested that this should be reviewed to determine if it meets the goals of the Comprehensive Plan or if it is a deterrent. Ms. Smith suggested that the Town should work with the farms to bring them into the Town and provide incentives. Ms. Boyles agreed and stated that as the area plans are defined, these incentives can be better outlined. Mr. Wren suggested that any recommendations should be sent to Ms. Boyles to be included with the other comments. Ms. Smith suggested that their recommendations should be compiled separate from the forum comments. Ms. Boyles stated that this could be accomplished. Mr. McNeill suggested that the Commission recommendations could get input from the public as the forum recommendations did. Ms. Boyles stated that this could be done. She stated that a public hearing would be held by Town Council on the draft plan prior to Town Council voting on the plan. Ms. Smith suggested that it could be difficult for Town Council to dismiss the recommendations and draft plan that has been vetted by both the forum and the Commission. Mr. Cuttino left at this time (1:10 pm). 4. Confirmation of next meeting date/time Ms. Boyles stated that the next meetings would be Feb 6th and Feb 13th. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:12 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes SpPlanComsn01302019