Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 21, 2024 MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Kathy Smith, Chair, Garrett Lacy, Brett Bennett, Adam Ferrara, Pam Ireland, Gary Davis, Bill Smyth, Michelle Mansour, Mike Tinkey. Staff: Michele Reed, Peter Stone, David Pagliarini, John Farrell, Lynnette Lynes Ms. Smith called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 1. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Davis moved for approval. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Approval of Minutes from January 24th Meeting Mr. Bennett moved for approval of the minutes. Ms. Ireland seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Mr. Stone reviewed Town Council decisions with the Commission. 4. Correspondence All correspondence received was linked to the agenda. 5. General Public Comment There being no comment, Ms. Smith closed public comment and continued with the agenda. 6. Requests A. Zoning Case: R-03-24, Summary: Request to Amend Carolina Park PD, Planned Development District Ordinance. Proposed is to create a new Attainable Housing district known as the Attainable Housing Tract (AH Tract.) The AH Tract District allows for a maximum of 100 Attainable  Planning Commission February 21, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Housing Units, in accordance with proposed land development standards. The proposed district will encompass approximately 12.64- acres, identified by TMS No. 598-03-00-347. Further indicated on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book L 12, Page 0096. Also requested is to amend the Carolina Park DA, Development Agreement, to have two public hearings held by Town Council. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. Glen Wood, Administrator of Seacoast Church, Tony Berry, Prosperity Builders, and Domonic Jones, Thomas & Hutton, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Denise Fugo, Exec. Director of Housing for All Mount Pleasant, stated that they worked with Prosperity Builders on the Gregory Ferry Road project and coordinate with Origins SC. She suggested that the proposed project would help provide housing for the workforce and provides housing for those that have a higher income and would not qualify for the Gregory Ferry Road project. She stated that they have a waiting list of those wanting to purchase homes in MP. Mr. Michael Kajouras, 3657 Maidstone Drive, expressed concern with the traffic in the area and suggested that this project would exacerbate traffic. He expressed concern with how the selling prices for the proposed project are calculated. He suggested that the project would be negatively impacted by the project. Ms. Jill Kajouras, 3657 Maidstone Drive, expressed concern with the proposed project. She stated that the former attainable housing project was greatly opposed by the existing residents. She expressed concern with the traffic and suggested that the zoning should be considered before the development of the property is considered. She suggested that this project would negatively impact the neighborhood. She stated that she is opposed to the project as well as many of the existing residents. Ms. Sarah Drummond, 3421 Salterbeck and on behalf of the Abbey at Park West, expressed concern with the traffic. She stated that they have been told that there would be a roundabout and curbing bing installed on and a median extension on Salterbeck. She expressed concern with the management of the  Planning Commission February 21, 2024 Page 3 of 4 homes and if the existing HOA would have purview over this proposed neighborhood. Ms. Wendy Bauersmitz, 1320 Woodlake Court, stated that because of the difficulty in finding affordable housing, she had to relocate out of Mount Pleasant. She stated that as a business owner, many of her employees are not able to live in Mount Pleasant even though they work in Mount Pleasant because of the cost of housing. She suggested that school rank has a bigger affect on housing market value than an attainable housing project. Melissa Salvetti, 3844 Maidstone, suggested that there are attainable housing projects currently approved within the Town. She suggested that the infrastructure cannot handle the proposed project. She suggested that there has been discussion to redistrict the schools, meaning that children might have to be bussed farther away to attend school. She expressed concern with the project allowing section 8 residents. She questioned whether an impact assessment or impact study has been completed. She expressed concern with the impact to open space. She expressed concern with property values being negatively affected and crimes rates within the neighborhood. Mr. Jason Alexander, 3656 Maidstone Drive, stated that they purchased their home with the hopes that they would be able to remain there for the remainder of their life. He suggested that there is attainable housing within the Town. He suggested that the proposed project is not appropriate. Ms. Susan Nelson, 3839 Tupelo Lane, expressed concern that once the project is completed there might not be controls in place to maintain the area. She questioned whether there would be HOA oversight. She also questioned if section 8 residents would be allowed. She suggested that these issues should be resolved before the project is approved. Mr. Benji Cook, 146 Hobcaw Drive, suggested that this type of project is needed in the Town. He suggested that the Gregory Landing project has been a benefit to the area and the Town. Mr. Will Jenkinson, 250 River Oak Drive, stated that he has previously worked with Prosperity Builders and they were able to serve many residents of the community to provide housing for those that work in Mount Pleasant. He stated that the project does have an HOA that is well managed. He  Planning Commission February 21, 2024 Page 4 of 4 suggested that there is a greater need than those that were able to purchase at Gregory Landing. He suggested that there is a need for housing in the proposed price range. Mr. Adrian Cane, 936 Cassique Province, suggested that there is a housing crisis in the Town. He stated that the base income of $77,000 would not allow a new family to buy a home in Mount Pleasant. He suggested that opportunities such as this project should be supported so that there is more affordable housing for generations to come. He suggested that more housing products of this one is needed in the Town. There being no further comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Ireland moved for approval with the condition that the housing is prioritized for Town employees, there are no short-term rentals and strict limitations for long-term rentals as presented by the developer. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 8 to 1 vote with Mr. Ferrara, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Lacy, Ms. Smith, Ms. Mansour, Mr. Tinkey, and Ms. Ireland in favor; Mr. Davis opposed. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PlanComsn02212024