Over recent months, it's been the most controversial and maligned part of town government, so next month Mount Pleasant is inviting the public to learn more about planning and development.
And two other opportunities in 2013 will bring citizens into town offices for education on how residential and commercial developments are planned and approved.
An Oct. 4 "meet and greet" at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park will introduce several new programs meant to provide information to the public about planning and development.
Several stations set up in the park's Cooper Room will offer information and staff will speak to residents regarding current regulations, planning projects, and other topics.
Planning and Development Department Meet and Greet
5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, October 4, 2012
Cooper River Room, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Specifically, the town wants to educate the public on the following topics:
- Website/Technology
- Comprehensive Plan
- Demographics
- Commercial Design Review
- Draft Master Bike/Pedestrian Plan
- Business Development (NEW)
- Building Plan Review and Permitting
- FEMA and Flood regulations
- Tree Protection
- Town Parks
- Mapping and GIS
And, introducing two new programs for 2013:
The Citizens Planning College
Citizens can sign up for the Planning College to learn more about zoning, the Comprehensive Plan, the Building Code, land development, and other current planning and development topics.
Code for Lunch
Hosted by staff, this is a quarterly luncheon geared toward engineers, architects, and other planning professionals. The purpose is to provide opportunity to learn more about FEMA regulations, Town commercial design standards, and more.
Who are these "experts" that you are talking about? Are these the same folks that neglected to talk to the shrimpers to find out what it would take for them to actually use the docks that the town just paid lots of tax-payer money to build? Are these the same folks who designed the new Coleman Blvd. project so that businesses were blocked off from traffic? How about the new high-maintenance landscaping for Highway 17 improvements? I totally agree that reaching out is a great idea. But BOTH sides are going to have to really listen for this to work. The Mayor has been known to literally walk away when someone asked a question regarding the effects that big box stores will have on residents and property values. At TC meetings he is condescending towards those who have differing opinions. With that kind of attitude, it will be difficult to find common ground.