Vision Beaufort

The Vision 2030 Plan has been adopted

2009-12-10T11:27:00.005-05:00

The Beaufort City Council unanimously adopted the Vision Beaufort 2030 Comprehensive Plan on its 2nd and final reading on December 8, 2009. This plan replaces the 1999 Comprehensive Plan and its 2004 update and in conformance with the requirements of State of South Carolina's requirements for mandated comprehensive plans.

This plan far exceeds the minimum state requirements by addressing such issues as regional planning and service delivery; climate change adaptation and energy efficiency; and detailed studies for infill and redevelopment opportunities. In total, the plan creates an implementable, twenty-year blueprint for long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

The most recent and updated files can be downloaded from the links to the right. For additional information, please contact Libby Anderson, Planning Director at (843) 525-7012 or via email at landerson@cityofbeaufort.org.

Plan Adopted on 1st Reading

2009-11-25T09:40:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday night, November 24, 2009, the Beaufort City Council unanimously adopted the Vision Beaufort 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The plan is subject to a 2nd reading to consolidate all amendments recommended by the Planning Commission. They will consider those amendments at their workshop on December 1st.

Also last night, a number of key action items were reported already in progress:

The rerouting of US 21 away from Ribault Road to Parris Island Gateway
The beginning of a neighborhood plan for the Northwest Quadrant
The advancement of a discussion about regionalism including specifically regional governance and urban service delivery.

Also on November 24th the Council endorsed a plan to expand the current joint Planning Commission of Beaufort and Port Royal to also include 2 representatives from the County and 1 additional at-large member. The expanded joint planning commission would then have jurisdiction to make recommendations on planning issues to the respective jurisdictions throughout the urban growth boundary adopted in the Northern Beaufort County Regional Plan.

Plan Ready for Adoption by City Council

2009-11-23T17:05:00.006-05:00

On November 11, 2009, the Joint Planning Commission recommended approval of the Vision Beaufort 2009 Comprehensive Plan. The revised draft is available for download at the links to the right.

As part of their approval, they also made a series amendments to the current. These changes reflect the Planning Commission's desire that this document is both strong in it language and clear in its intent. The changes to the document are below:

CH 2: The Path Forward

Clarified population trend data sources and usage (Ch 2 and App B)

CH 5: A Framework for Growth

Added reference to Port Royal’s sector plan (p.51)
Clarified Service Providers and their potential roles in the Urban Growth Boundary (p.73)

CH 6: Natural Infrastructure

Strengthened language regarding the use of TDR in preserving environmental lands

CH 9 Access & Mobility

Note about the City’s obligation to protect neighborhoods from future regional traffic growth
Added a new Action Item to establish an on-going multi-jurisdiction transportation planning process (AM 1.1)
Changed legend in the chart on page 148 from “Recommended” to “Potential” Transportation Solutions
Added an implementation legend for AM 2.1

CH 11: Serving our Citizens

Revised Fire Station Map

CH 12: Catalyst Sites

Clarified language to indicate that the Southside Park illustrations are but one possible outcome as well as added key elements of a planned Master Plan for that area

CH 13: Setting Priorities

Added a priority to report annually and update every 5 yrs

The City Council has scheduled a public hearing and a vote on the 1st Reading on the final document for Tuesday, November 24th at 6 pm in the Municipal Complex Courtroom.

Final Draft now Available

2009-09-02T15:38:00.003-04:00

The Final Draft of the Vision Beaufort 2009 Comprehensive Plan is now available for download. Click on the links to the right to download individual chapters or one complete file. To submit comments or questions, email Libby Anderson, Planning Director or call the Planning Department at (843) 525-7012.

Closing Presentation - Nov 17

2008-11-19T09:53:00.005-05:00

The 5 day charrette closed on Monday, November 17 to a standing-room-only crowd at the County Council Chambers. The presentation focused on four key areas for planning, growth, and development for the City:

We must protect and preserve that which brought us here including the natural beauty, the historic (and prehistoric) resources, and the strong military presence.
We must maintain Beaufort as a living community with vibrant, diverse neighborhoods, workforce housing, and a living downtown with a strong emphasis on its history.
We must improve mobility throughout the community with more efficient routes for the auto and prioritized transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements to maintain our quality of life.
We must stabilize and improve our economic conditions with a more diversified tax base, expansion of existing major employers and institutions (e.g. military, USC-B, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Lowcountry Technical Community College), new jobs, new sources of municipal revenue, and the efficient delivery of municipal services.

A copy of the presentation is available here.

Saturday, Nov 15 - Day 4

2008-11-15T20:00:00.004-05:00

The design studio was open throughout the day and many Beaufort citizens took the opportunity to stop by and express their visions and thoughts with the design team. Public interest remains high and a number of key planning elements are coming into focus including:

The rerouting of US 21 to open up opportunities to humanize the Ribault Road corridor
Infill opportunities throughout the community
Reasonable annexation/expansion areas
A diversity of housing initiatives throughout the community
Sustainable site design techniques
Redevelopment strategies for various parcels throughout the community including in the Burton community
Preservation strategies that keep certain areas as "living areas" rather than as museums for tourists

Friday, Nov 14 - Day 3

2008-11-14T22:05:00.000-05:00

Today began with regional issues related to big box, regional retail, and common issues between Port Royal and Beaufort and ended with focus groups about development and small business development.

Participation remained strong as it has been throughout the week. The design continued to post up development ideas using the principles and practices espoused in the Vision and Goals document as well as from previous planning efforts. In addition, we continued to refine and consolidate a number of previous planning visions into a larger coherent framework. Specifically the design team introduced a "low build" alternative to the Northwest Bypass and a realignment of US 21 to improve conditions along Ribault Road.

Conceptual plans were developed for various infill and new development sites including the Northwest neighborhood, the historic core, the Lafayette Street area, the intersection of Sea Island Parkway and Lady's Island Parkway, and the Burton community.

The studio will be open throughout the day on Saturday. Don't forget to submit your comments on this web site or using the online survey here.

Thursday, Nov 13 - Day 2

2008-11-13T19:24:00.002-05:00

Downtown, Natural and Historic Preservation, and Utilities. . .
The second day of the charrette continued with strong attendance at meetings on Downtown development and parking, and Historic Preservation. Over 100 citizens and stakeholders attended meetings on these topics. Based on the comparatively lightly attended Environmental Protection & Sustainability meeting, Historic Preservation appears to be the clear preservation priority for Beaufort. Citizens and consultants also met with representatives of the County’s Stormwater Services, Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, and SCE&G to discuss utility issues regarding growth and development in the area. Members of Beaufort’s elected and appointed boards as well as the Comprehensive Plan’s Stakeholder Committee have participated in all of the meetings.

At the daily pin-up session, designers and engineers showed refinements of their conceptual roadway network; future land use recommendations based on a series of walkable community nodes in buildable areas in the City’s western growth area; and strategic infill concepts for the Northwest Quadrant and downtown. Public comments at the pin up session included the desire to increase planning and funding for public transit; and the need to advocate for higher quality schools.

Wednesday, Nov 12 - Day 1

2008-11-13T08:30:00.005-05:00

Housing, Arts, Transportation, Open Space, and Neighborhoods. . .
Wednesday’s meetings included meetings on Housing; Arts & Cultural Facilities; Transportation, including a meeting on bicycle, pedestrian, and transit issues; Open Space, Parks, Greenways & Blueways, and a meeting with representatives of the City’s neighborhoods. Attendance at the first day of the charrette was outstanding, with more than 200 people attending the various meetings and observing and commenting on the work in the design studio.

Meanwhile, designers and engineers worked on draft conceptual plans for the community’s growth and redevelopment areas; future transportation network; downtown site surveys; and design concepts for new downtown buildings and homes. These ideas were displayed and described for public comment at the daily 5:30pm “pin-up” session.

Charrette Kicks off on Monday, Nov 10th

2008-11-12T09:27:00.005-05:00

Approximately 60 people attended the Public Kick-off meeting for the Comprehensive Plan Public Design Workshop at the Beaufort Middle School. The group included numerous elected and appointed officials, including Mayor-elect Keyserling, City Council members, Planning Board members, and members of the Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder committee.

After a brief presentation on the Comprehensive Plan process (see link under “Presentations” heading), the group broke into small groups to discuss the following questions and questions of community growth. The following is a summary of group ideas listed in priority order based on the number of similar ideas stated.

Small Group Discussion Questions Responses

1. WHAT DO VALUE ABOUT THE CITY OF BEAUFORT? What are those key places, things, and/or values in the community that are uniquely Beaufort and that should be preserved or enhanced? (List at least 3-5 items)

• Environment and natural resources, flora & fauna (2)
• Diversity of building design & neighborhoods
• Sense of community
• Accessibility to living needs, day-to-day needs (2)
• Affordable

2. WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE? WHAT specific ideas, ACTIONS OR STRATEGIES should the community undertake?

• Continue to protect natural resources, but make them accessible/usable
• Continue to protect historic resources, but make them accessible/usable
• Transportation plan for broad area: not just in and out; activities of daily living
• Proper mix of transportation alternatives (transit, walk/bike facilities)
• Economic opportunity: jobs, education, affordability
• Protect existing neighborhoods
• Infill and redevelopment for accessibility
• Southside community park (2)
• Encourage and promote festivals that display Beaufort’s cultural diversity
• Neighborhood organizations: foster sense of community, ownership of values, voices as group
• Encourage local farming (and local aquaculture/fishing)
• Coordination among governments/all entities, gov’t service, SCDOT, neighborhoods for all of the above and enforcement
• Enforcement of ordinances must be addressed and must be followed by all entities
• Develop Burton on grid; sensitive to those have been there

What is a Charrette?

2008-10-30T16:07:00.000-04:00

A funny word, sure, but what else?

The term charrette comes from the French, meaning "little cart." The word’s origins are traced to an art school tradition from 19th century Paris. A cart was sent around to students’ studios to collect work to be graded by professors. Like most students, these artists and architects in training worked until the last minute and often followed the charrette through the streets making finishing touches on their work as the cart rumbled towards judgment.

The idea has been refined by architects to indicate a process on a fast-track, undertaken in the presence of their clients. New Urbanist planning teams formalized the technique, creating a multi-day format with built-in feedback opportunities for both clients and the public. Now charrettes have become the processes of choice for many planners faced with complex, controversial projects on a tight deadline.

By involving everyone who can enable or block decisions and by committing to produce actionable plans within a set timeframe, charrettes can save months – even years – of tedious back-and-forth negotiations and redesign. They also provide an experience that’s increasingly rare for most people: they get to be involved in something organized especially to listen to their ideas and to act on them immediately.

A charrette raises expectations. It builds enthusiasm. It draws clear lines of accountability. Because everyone knows who made the plan, everyone knows who’s responsible if it goes sour. When a developer or a government body chooses a charrette process, it means investing resources to assemble and support a team of experts through four to ten days of near round-the-clock work sessions and community discussions. It’s a leap of faith – in citizens, in the design team, in the process itself. But the potential rewards are great. The pay-off is not only in terms of time and money saved but in the pleasure of partnering with an entire community on a project everyone can be proud of. (Charrette description text courtesy of Ben Brown, PlaceMakers)

To download a copy of the Beaufort Comprehensive Plan Charrette Schedule, click here

Why a Comprehensive Plan

2008-10-27T13:52:00.001-04:00

What is the Comprehensive Plan? The City of Beaufort will be adopting a detailed written plan that provides guidelines for growth, development and government of the city for the next twenty years.

Why is a Comprehensive Plan being adopted? A Comprehensive Plan is Beaufort’s blueprint for the future. South Carolina law requires cities to adopt a new plan every ten years. Beaufort’s old plan is about to expire.

Who Adopts the Plan? Beaufort City Council is responsible for adoption of the plan. Final consideration is likely in early Spring of 2009.

What Kind of Input is Being Sought for the Plan? At the direction of City Council, city staff have hired design consultants to assist in creating the plan. City Council has also appointed a Steering Committee of 17 citizens whose job is to advise the consultants and council and create broader opportunity for public input into the plan.

Why is the Comprehensive Plan important to me? The plan will have a direct impact on how local government functions on your behalf, and will strongly influence decisions affecting issues like:

Traffic
Public Improvements
Parking
Open Space, Parks, Recreation and Greenways
Transit Alternatives
Environmental Quality
Residential Development and Density
Cultural and Art Facilities
Neighborhood Identity and Preservation
Nature & Location of Commercial Development
Historic Preservation
Taxation and Public Indebtedness

How can I get involved?

Go to the Comprehensive Plan website link on the City’s website at www.cityofbeaufort.org where you can fill out a survey, get informational updates and leave written comments.
Email Beaufort City Staff at planning@cityofbeaufort.org or call staff at (843) 525-7011.
Contact a member of the Steering Committee, whose names, addresses and phone numbers are on the Comprehensive Plan website or available at the City Planning Department.
Contact a leader of your local community association or a business or civic association.
Attend one or more of the public planning meetings listed on the attached meeting schedule.

These meetings are specifically designed for public participation. The consultants, many steering committee members and city staff will be present. Check the Comprehensive Plan website, call City Hall, or check the newspapers for specific times and topics.

This planning effort will have an important impact on Beaufort’s future and your lives as citizens. Please participate as much as you can.