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The S.C. Ports Authority has submitted a proposal to develop 64 acres in the historic district from an industrial site into a new mixed-use neighborhood. CTAR has been working with the Ports Authority and the City of Charleston on elements of the planned unit development. Union Pier will include much needed infrastructure improvements, 1,600 residential units, hotels, retail, office and restaurants along the water. Union Pier has had two rounds of technical review, conducted three workshops with the city’s Planning Commission. CTAR supports the redevelopment of Union Pier and has been appointed to the Stakeholder Advisory Group that will determine the next steps for Union Pier. A community advisory group has also been established and CTAR is represented as well.
Located off Bees Ferry, the Verdier property is zoned commercial and is located in a PUD. The City of Charleston is considering the parcel as a mixed-use with affordable housing. After consulting with CTAR commercial members, this site poses several issues for a strictly commercial site and is better suited for mixed-use. CTAR spoke to city council on October 24th on the benefit of amending the PUD and allowing mixed-use. Verdier was approved and the city is moving forward with affordable housing in the West Ashley area.
The City of Charleston is working on EV requirements for new development and significant renovations to a site. Electric vehicles are growing in demand but our market is not witnessing the major saturation of other markets. CTAR has been working with the city on these requirements. Due to the rapid pace of technological advances in the industry, installing charging stations today will be obsolete in a few years. Providing capacity and making a site EV-capable are the opportunities to promote EV readiness. The city needs to work with the private sector to provide this capacity. CTAR continues to participate in these discussions and support market-based solutions to electric vehicles.
The Hanahan Council has recently adopted changes to their zoning code that promote Missing Middle housing. Missing Middle is a concept supported by CTAR. Our current zoning throughout the region allows single-family development and multi-family development. Many of our municipalities excludes duplexes, quadplexes, townhomes, condominiums, and other housing types between single- and multi-family. Missing Middle is an opportunity for our region to add population without losing the charm of a neighborhood. This soft-density allows areas to transition from low to moderate to high density. CTAR promotes this smart land use with our municipalities and will continue to advocate for smart development in our region.
The City of Charleston adopted their city plan and are now looking to update their zoning code. A zoning code that has been amended many times but was written in the 1930s. We look forward to this multi-year long project and believe it will be successful like the county has shown. The City of Charleston is also hosting discussion regarding an upcoming water plan and land use strategy. Mt. Pleasant has adopted an Economic Strategic Plan and are working on updating their zoning code. CTAR has been in discussion with the Town on easily obtainable goals. CTAR is working with the Town to implement some proposals, beginning with zoning recommendations.