Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 18, 2023 MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Kathy Smith, Chair, Garrett Lacy, Brett Bennett, Pam Ireland, Gary Davis, Bill Smyth (arrived at 3:47 pm), Michael McCormick (arrived at 4:47 pm), George Gates Absent: Bruce Koedding. Also: Kelly Cousino, White & Smith Staff: Michele Reed, Liz Boyles, Michael Robertson, Peter Stone, Lynnette Lynes Ms. Smith called the meeting to order at 3:38 pm. 1. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Bennett moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Correspondence 3. General Public Comment There being no correspondence or public comment, Ms. Smith continued with the agenda. 4. New Business A. Review of outstanding questions related to drafts of Subchapters A: Introduction, B: Zoning Districts, and C: Use Regulations of the Town’s Zoning Code Rewrite. Ms. Cousino reviewed the changes to the zoning code with the Commission. Mr. Smyth entered at this time (3:47 pm).  Special Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Page 2 of 3 The Commission agreed that the NP-OD district should be expanded to other neighborhoods that were built before 1979 to help maintain the character of those neighborhoods. The Commission discussed the uses allowed in the new Mixed Neighborhood District (NM). The Commission agreed that professional office uses such as CPA offices, attorneys, etc. should be included as allowed uses. The Commission agreed that the recommendation of the Comprehensive Plan to limit the rezoning of commercial property to a residential zoning should be kept in mind. Mixed use buildings will be allowed but not required within the NM zoning. The Commission discussed the definition for a family and maximum occupancy. The Commission agreed to eliminate the definition of a family and to use the number of bedrooms for maximum occupancy requirements. The Commission discussed duplexes and where they should be allowed as a conditional use. The Commission agreed to the proposed requirements for duplexes. The Commission discussed triplex and quadplexes as a special exception. The Commission agreed that triplex and quadplex should not be allowed. Ms. Cousino reviewed the potential for a new zoning district with the Commission. The Commission agreed to the new neighborhood zoning and excluding driveways. They also agreed that the new zoning district should have similar requirements as the NP-OD and buildings should be limited to 3,000 square feet. B. Preliminary discussion on Subchapter D: Trees, Buffers, and Screening Ms. Cousino reviewed the proposed changes to the critical line buffer and setbacks. The Commission agreed with the changes. The Commission agreed that the critical buffer requirements should apply to each lot and be required to come into compliance if the improvements are 50% or more. The Commission agreed that existing non-conforming structures should be removed if improved 50% or more.  Special Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Page 3 of 3 Ms. Cousino reviewed the special right-of-way buffer with the Commission. The Commission agreed to a 50-foot buffer requirement. Ms. Cousino reviewed some of the proposed changes to the tree protection ordinance and stated that more information on potential changes would be forthcoming from the consultants. The Commission agreed that the majority of the tree protection requirements should be moved to the Land Development Regulations section of the ordinance. Mr. McCormick entered at this time (4:47 pm). The Commission agreed that protected tree size and species and the mitigation required for tree removal should be closely reviewed and changes considered to simplify and improve the process. C. Next Steps Ms. Cousino stated that the changes discussed would be completed and would then come back to the Commission for a public hearing. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:52 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes SpPlanComsn01182023