CHARLESTON CITY PLAN 20 21

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The planning process was managed by a staff team from the City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability, supported by a team of consultants and other city staff, steered by the Planning Commission, adopted by the Mayor and City Council and made possible by members of the Charleston community.

MAYOR

John J. Tecklenburg

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ross A. Appel Karl L. Brady, Jr. Marie Delcioppo William Dudley Gregorie Harry Griffin Carol Jackson Robert M. Mitchell Jason Sakran Michael S. Seekings A. Peter Shahid, Jr. Kevin Shealy Perry K. Waring

PLANNING COMMISSION

Charles Karesh, Chair Harry Lesesne, Vice-Chair Jimmy Bailey Loquita Bryant-Jenkins Erika V. Harrison Donna Jacobs Angie Johnson Sunday Lempesis Chaun Pflug

CITY PLAN STAFF TEAM

Robert Summerfield, Director Planning Preservation & Sustainability Mandi Herring, Operations Manager Planning Preservation & Sustainability Christopher Morgan, Planning Manager Philip Overcash, Senior Planner Chloe Stuber, Planner Jim Hemphill, Planner Eric Pohlman, West Ashley Project Coordinator and Jacob Lindsey, former Director of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability

The City Plan team was also greatly assisted by the following staff from other divisions and departments; consultants; and various community partners.

PLANNING, PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY Business & Neighborhood Services Division Meg Thompson, Director Christina Auth Becca Hopkins Ruth Jordan and Su Griffin, former Neighborhood Services Manager

Design Division Allen Davis, Director Morgan Gundlach

Zoning Division Lee Batchelder, Director Ana Harp Eric Schultz Scott Valentine

Preservation and Urban Design Tory Parish, Director Kim Hlavin Frankie Pinto

Administration Shenikua Simmons

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Geona Shaw Johnson, Director Matt Ojala Eddie Bines Florence Peters Christopher Jardin Latoya Bates and Andrea Jones, former Community Development Coordinator

GIS DIVISION Robert Hauck, Director Brian Pokrant Sandy Gagne Casey Conrad and Emma Paz, former GIS Developer

PARKS Jason Kronsberg, Director

RECREATION Laurie Yarbrough, Director Crystal Reed

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE Jack O’Toole, Director Cameron Wolfsen Chloe Field

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Matt Fountain, Director Kinsey Holton Stephen Julka

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION Keith Benjamin, Director and Michael Mathis, former Traffic Operations Manager

EXECUTIVE Tracy McKee, Chief Innovation Officer Mark Wilbert, Chief Resilience Officer Katie McKain, Director of Sustainability Amber Johnson, Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation Manager

OTHER Marcia Grant, Clerk, Clerk of Council Paul Wieters, Wellness Coordinator

CONSULTANTS ArtPot Spanish-language Outreach

The Asiko Group, Civic Communications and Community Solutions Consulting, LLC Outreach and Engagement

Cenzontle Language Justice Cooperative Interpretation and Translation

Community Data Platforms Housing Data Analytics

Waggoner & Ball, the Water Institute of the Gulf, Robinson Design Engineers and Surculus Design Land and Water Analysis

Mary Mac Wilson Graphic Design

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) Marla Robertson, CAP Director and MPA Program Coordinator Caitlin Bolger, MPA Graduate Assistant Ryan Green, MPA Graduate Assistant

OTHER JURISDICTIONS Thanks to Charleston County, Berkeley County, Town of James Island and Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) planning staff for your participation and contributions throughout the planning process.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS A big thanks to the following organizations and groups that assisted with plan research and supported community participation in the plan.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Charleston, ArtPot, the Asiko Group, Charleston Moves, Center for Heirs Property, Charleston Area Justice Ministry, Charleston Climate Coalition, Charleston Housing Authority, Charleston Redevelopment Corporation (Palmetto Community Land Trust), Charleston Trident Association of Realtors (CTAR), Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Conservation League, Community Solutions Consulting, Enough Pie, Ferguson Village Neighborhood Association, Greystar, Historic Charleston Foundation, Holy City Treks, Johns Island Task Force, Lowcountry Black Parents Association, Lowcountry Land Trust, Lowcountry Local First, Preservation Society of Charleston, Pink House Neighborhood Resource Center, Pulte Homes, Wando-Huger Community Development Corporation and numerous other neighborhood associations and community groups.

SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY RESEARCH The African-American Settlement Community research project was made possible through the input, guidance, leadership and support from the following individuals:

A. Jenkins, Anna Johnson, A. Lawrence, B. Goss Brown, W. Jenkins, Christina Rae Butler, C. Richardson, Diane Hamilton, Dr. Millicent Brown, Donna Jacobs, E. Pinckney, F. Lincoln, H. Maybank, I. Robinson, I. Waring Seabrook, J. Young, J. Bennett, J. Brown, J. Martin Carrington, J. Richardson, Keith Waring, L. Moore, M. King (Brown), Ruth Jordan, Shawn Halifax, V. Dickerson, and William Dudley Gregorie

Nothing in the Comprehensive Plan amends, modifies, suspends, terminates, or abrogates any right which has vested prior to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan by City Council, including, without limitation, any development rights vested under development agreements adopted by the City prior to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, nor does the Comprehensive Plan create or extend any such rights.

The City of Charleston does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission to, access to, or operation of programs, services or activities. Individuals who need accessible communication aids or services or other accommodations to access City Plan materials are encouraged to make their needs and preferences known. Call 843-724-7311 or email citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BACKGROUND

12 INTRODUCTION 18 PROCESS AND ENGAGEMENT

PLAN ELEMENTS

24 POPULATION

34 NATURAL RESOURCES 43 Natural Resources Recommendations

44 CULTURAL RESOURCES 50 African-American Settlement Communities and Neighborhoods 53 Cultural Resources Recommendations

54 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 61 Economic Development Recommendations

62 TRANSPORTATION 75 Transportation Recommendations

76 COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND PRIORITY INVESTMENT 89 Community Facilities and Priority Investment Recommendations

90 HOUSING 101 Housing Recommendations

102 LAND USE 114 Peninsula Future Land Use Map 116 West Ashley Future Land Use Map 118 West Ashley Future Land Use Map 120 James Island Future Land Use Map 122 Johns Island Future Land Use Map 124 Cainhoy Peninsula Future Land Use Map 126 Cainhoy Peninsula Future Land Use Map 129 Land Use Recommendations

130 RESILIENCE AND EQUITY 141 Resilience and Equity Recommendations 142 Resilience and Equity Recommendations Matrix

153 GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

APPENDIX

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA CITY PLAN ENGAGEMENT CITY PLAN ANALYSIS REPORTS COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) OTHER REFERENCED PLANS AND STUDIES

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The City of Charleston is made up of geographic parts as unique as the people who live in them and bound by the natural features of the Lowcountry. It is a city of diverse neighborhoods. It is a community shaped as much by its past as its aspirations. Ever evolving, the population of Charleston is a blend of people from various ancestry, culture, language, economic means and types of education, but all sharing a strong sense of history and place.

Over the last ten years, Charleston has seen economic growth and an increase in population, and has received numerous accolades for its job creation, livability and tourism. The influx of new jobs and people have also added more cars to already congested roadways. Additionally, high costs of living and worsening income disparities have made it harder to lower-income and nonwhite residents to stay, leading to a rapid gentrification of a historically ethnically and socially diverse city. Exacerbating it all, the impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather events have added increasing pressures on the built environment and a profound effect on public safety, economic viability, and overall quality of life.

The Charleston City Plan is the City of Charleston’s new 10-year comprehensive plan to guide land use planning, policy and investment through 2030. It serves as the city’s roadmap toward a more resilient and equitable future – shaped by the values and priorities of its community and rooted in its wealth of cultural and natural resources.

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?

Comprehensive Plans are statements of community values and goals concerning the existing and future environment. They serve as a guide for decision makers and a dynamic tool for managing community change to achieve a desired quality of life. Per the 1994 State Comprehensive Planning Act (SC Code Title 6, Chapter 19), the State of South Carolina requires that municipalities regularly evaluate and update their comprehensive plans, which serve as foundational documents for regulatory and other policy tools such as zoning codes and subdivision site design standards. Comprehensive Plans are steered by the Planning Commission and adopted by City Council.

The Charleston City Plan is intended to be a tool and resource for a variety of users. It informs daily decisions made by city staff, Planning Commission and City Council. It also serves as a guide and reference for residents, local businesses, community organizations, neighboring jurisdictions, developers, and many others who are part of the greater Charleston community.

The primary tools used in a comprehensive plan are the list of key recommendations for each element and the Future Land Use maps. Detailed strategies and timeframes for recommendations are formulated in supplemental plans and studies that have either already been adopted or will be created in the 10-year period.

The Charleston City Plan addresses existing conditions, community priorities and recommendations for the following key elements:

I. POPULATION

II. NATURAL RESOURCES

III. CULTURAL RESOURCES

IV. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

V. TRANSPORTATION

VI. COMMUNITY FACILITIES & PRIORITY INVESTMENT

VII. HOUSING

VIII. LAND USE

IX. RESILIENCE & EQUITY

The Charleston City Plan will influence planning and policy decisions relating to each of these elements over the next ten years. Some decisions may have an immediate impact, while others may take longer to see the tangible outcome. The plan document itself does not change any existing zoning laws or other regulations and it does not make recommendations on taxation. Any changes made to the zoning ordinance and other policies to implement plan recommendations will only impact new development. With limited exceptions, development plans that already have the required approvals will not be subject to changes in codes or regulations that stem from this plan. This means that some development breaking ground in the next ten years may not be consistent with the priorities and recommendations in this plan if they received their approvals in previous years.

RESILIENCE WAS ADDED TO THE LIST OF REQUIRED ELEMENTS IN 2020. THE CHARLESTON CITY PLAN EXPANDS ON THIS REQUIREMENT BY ADDRESSING EQUITY AND RESILIENCY AS INTERDEPENDENT GOALS. BOTH RESILIENCE AND EQUITY ARE INTERWOVEN THROUGHOUT THE PLAN AND SUMMARIZED IN THE FINAL RESILIENCE AND EQUITY ELEMENT.

WHAT AREAS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN?

The Charleston City Plan makes recommendations primarily for areas of the city within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), including portions of Peninsular Charleston, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Wando and all of Daniel Island. The plan area also includes currently unincorporated areas that are within the geography defined by the Urban Growth Boundary.

The five areas of the city, all separated by the waterways that define the Lowcountry lifestyle, are each distinct and unique in their natural, social and cultural environments. The plan both responds to citywide priorities — flooding, affordability, connectivity, access to nature, resilience and equity – as well the unique characteristics and challenges of all five areas.

Charleston Peninsula. The Peninsula is loved by residents and tourists alike for its historic buildings and scenic views of the harbor. It has a diversity of unique residential communities, a vibrant commercial center, and a rich arts, culture and food scene. It is a place for activity and connection. Future quality of life on the Peninsula will depend on integrated solutions to flooding, a safer and less crowded street network, more affordable housing costs, and equitable investment in historic neighborhoods.

West Ashley. West Ashley is prized for its community-oriented suburban neighborhoods, assortments of parks and recreation facilities, and the wealth of amenities and services available for its residents. Its diversity and affordability attract people from all backgrounds and lifestyles. Future quality of life in West Ashley will depend on improved connectivity, a thriving local economy, and preservation of affordability and diversity.

Cainhoy Peninsula. Cainhoy Peninsula refers to the geographic area of Charleston that includes the communities of Wando and Daniel Island. The most beloved qualities of Wando and Daniel Island are the country environment, connection with the land and nature, and sense of community. This area is rich in cultural and natural resources:

INTRODUCTION

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historic settlement communities, the Francis Marion National Forest, longleaf pine forests and wetlands. With the recent and future development along Clements Ferry Road, quality of life for the Wando area will depend on improved connectivity and improved access to the wealth of cultural and natural resources.

James Island. James Island is celebrated for its small town feel, made up of an eclectic mix of diverse and tight-knit communities. Residents treasure the connection with the natural landscape, especially the old trees, surrounding marshes and water. Future quality of life for James Island residents will depend on flooding solutions, enhanced connectivity, and improved coordination between Charleston County, the Town of James Island and the City of Charleston.

Johns Island. Johns Island is a rural community. It is important to residents to maintain their connection with both its rich history - where “every place has a story;” - and beautiful nature - where “life can’t be stopped.”¹ Future quality of life for Johns Island residents will depend on the protection and preservation of the island’s heritage and environment, improvements to outdated infrastructure (namely roads and stormwater management), improved connectivity, and increased access to parks and recreation.

TOWARD A MORE RESILIENT AND EQUITABLE FUTURE

When the planning process began, the City of Charleston was at a major crossroads in its history. In addition to the existential threat of rising seas and a changing climate, the city was also reeling from a series of painful reminders of the historic and existing racial injustices that continue to plague the city, region and nation. Furthermore, the plan was developed in the wake of a global pandemic that mounted a steep death toll and caused serious economic repercussions; and a historic election season that highlighted deep divisions in our communities.

The Charleston City Plan presented an opportunity to respond to these intersecting

INTRODUCTION

These principles are exemplified by the emphasis given to flooding and housing challenges, as well as a robust community engagement campaign, throughout the plan process. The same team of consultants that produced the Dutch Dialogues Report were hired to complete a citywide Land and Water Analysis to guide how the city can better manage water and prepare for sea level rise. Additionally, Community Data Platforms was contracted to provide the best data available on the city's housing stock and highlight the areas of greatest need in terms of housing costs – one of the lead factors contributing to gentrification and displacement. A third team of consultants assisted the staff team to facilitate the most robust and inclusive community engagement campaign than any previous comprehensive planning process. Engagement activities included community meetings specific to housing and water to provide additional insight and potential strategies to address the city’s greatest challenges.

and overlapping challenges, and chart a pathway for the city toward a more resilient and equitable future. Four guiding principles – Water First, Data Smart, Community Empowered and Strength in Diversity – shaped the creation of the Charleston City Plan. Additionally, a framework for resilience and equity was applied throughout all plan elements.

FRAMEWORK FOR RESILIENCE AND EQUITY

In 2020, state legislation added Resilience to the list of required elements to be included in the comprehensive plan; for communities to consider the impacts of flooding, high water, and natural hazards on individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, economic development, public infrastructure and facilities, and public health, safety and welfare. The Charleston City Plan has also added equity as a key element of the plan. Both resilience and equity are interwoven throughout the plan and summarized in the final chapter: Resilience and Equity element.

The following core beliefs shape the Resilience and Equity framework interwoven throughout the Charleston City Plan.

1. An agenda to build resiliency of a community must begin with achieving equity through a racial equity lens; and all strategies should prioritize addressing existing disparities and protecting vulnerable communities from any unintended negative impacts of new policies or investments.

2. There are existing disparities that deny certain communities equal access to opportunities and healthy environments; and increase their vulnerability to disasters.

3. Communities are inherently stronger and more resilient when we can meet the unmet needs of all community members.

CENTURY V AND OTHER PLANS

The Charleston City Plan replaces the Century V Plan, first adopted in 2000 and later revised in 2010. The Charleston City Plan builds on the Century V Plan and weaves the research and recommendations from a host of recent plans and studies together to create one unified vision for the future of Charleston. Other adopted plans and studies include (by order of publication):

ONE CHARLESTON, PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN (2021) CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (2021) ALL HAZARDS VULNERABILITY AND ASSESSMENT (2020) HOUSING FOR A FAIR CHARLESTON (2020) HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONSOLIDATED PLAN (2020) DUTCH DIALOGUES REPORT (2019) SEA LEVEL RISE STRATEGY (2019) CITYWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (2018) PEOPLE PEDAL PLAN (2018) PLAN WEST ASHLEY (2018) TREES TO OFFSET STORMWATER STUDY (2018) RETHINK FOLLY ROAD REPORT (2016) DUPONT WAPPOO COMMUNITY PLAN (2016) JOHNS ISLAND COMMUNITY GREENWAYS PLAN (2010) PRESERVATION PLAN (2008) JOHNS ISLAND COMMUNITY PLAN (2007)

HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS DOCUMENT

Key terms used throughout the plan are defined in the plan glossary and at the beginning of each section where they are referenced. The sources for the key terms are included in the footnotes at the end of each chapter. If they are not sourced, the definition was created by city staff or adapted from a dictionary definition.

The Process & Engagement section provides an overview of the plan process, community engagement activities, and recommendations for future engagement. Input gathered during engagement is shared throughout the plan as it relates to each element. The full public input report is included in Appendix H.

Each of the nine Plan Elements include a purpose statement, key terms, data on existing conditions and trends, and a set of recommendations pertaining to that element (with the exception of population). The purpose statements are adapted from the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) Comprehensive Planning Guide (2018) and online resources.

The Appendix includes supplemental data and information referenced throughout the plan. Due to the size and quantity of items, the majority of appendices are not directly inserted in the plan document and must be viewed and downloaded separately.

Sources cited throughout the plan can be located at the end of each section.

• Links to all of the above plans and studies can be found in Appendix R.

PROCESS AND ENGAGEMENT

Community empowered.

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The creation of the Charleston City Plan was a collaborative effort that spanned approximately one year and corresponded with the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This created unique and unprecedented challenges for the broad-based community participation that is critical to the integrity of the planning process. Despite these challenges, City Plan engagement efforts led to the most robust and inclusive community participation campaign than has been achieved in any previous comprehensive planning process.

A team of local consulting firms – the Asiko Group, Community Solutions Consulting, and Civic Communications – played a critical role in shaping the approach and priorities of the engagement campaign that focused on the meaningful involvement of community members, especially groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in planning conversations.

City-initiated outreach efforts – amplified by a wide network of neighborhoods and community partners – included social media, street canvassing, third-party Facebook outreach, press releases, weekly updates in the Business and Neighborhood Services weekly Hey Neighbor! Newsletter, and regular updates on the City Plan newsletter, blog and website. Key outreach and communication materials, including the City Plan community survey, were made available in both English and Spanish.

CITY PLAN PROCESS AND TIMELINE

The plan process consisted of three core phases:

JULY – NOVEMBER 2020 Defining existing conditions, establishing a shared vision

Over 3,000 residents and other stakeholders participated in the first round of engagement, which consisted of a series of community listening sessions, community-led gatherings, and the City Plan community survey. The purpose of the first round of engagement was to gather information about the community’s priorities, concerns and vision for the future. During this period, city staff also worked with consultant teams to complete the City Plan Land and Water Analysis, and the City Plan Housing Analysis.

DECEMBER 2020 – FEBRUARY 2021 Applying recommendations

Community input gathered from the first round of engagement and the findings from data analysis efforts were synthesized and applied to the first draft set of plan recommendations.

MARCH – JULY 2021 Finalizing the plan

Over 300 residents and other stakeholders reviewed segments of the draft plan and gave feedback in a follow-up round of community engagement, which consisted of virtual sessions and in-person pop-ups for each area of the city, special topic virtual sessions, and a month-long open house. After revisions were made in response to the feedback gathered, the final draft was presented to Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.

KEY TERMS

Community Engagement (also known as Civic Engagement) is the collaboration between the city and its community members around specific opportunities to shape policies, plans and programs.

Community Integration is when systems and processes support regular opportunities for feedback and ongoing partnership between city staff, city leadership and community in the creation of policies, plans and programs.

Community Members refers to all individuals that are a part of the greater Charleston community, including areas outside of the plan area, whether that be as a permanent resident, a business or property owner, student or visitor.

Historically Underrepresented refers to when a group has been inadequately represented in important research, as well as in planning and policy decisions, as a result of historical institutional discrimination and other factors that have denied or limited access to those groups.

Inclusive Outreach and Public Engagement is when outreach and engagement processes are inclusive of people of diverse races, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic status.

Listening Session refers to a meeting with community members where there is minimal communication from city staff or other leadership and where the primary goal is for participants to have an opportunity to share their stories and be heard.

Meaningful Involvement is when: 1) potentially affected community residents and communities most affected by inequities have appropriate and culturally responsive opportunities to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public’s contribution can influence the agency’s or jurisdiction’s decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision-making process (and measures will be taken to document how they were or were not considered).¹

Participation is the act of joining or taking part in an event or activity.

Resident refers to any individual who resides in the plan area, including those who are currently unhoused.

Stakeholders includes all individuals or organizations that have an interest or concern in decisions being made, including those that may not be a current resident.

Transparency is achieved when residents and other community members can access important information about how public business is being conducted and how public funds are being spent in a way that is readily available and easily understood.

PROCESS AND ENGAGEMENT

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Residents and city leaders engage with draft plan materials at the City Plan pop-up held at the Arthur Christopher Community Center in downtown Charleston.

ArtPot community volunteers and residents of Johns Island pose for a group photo after a night of canvassing in the community.

ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS

17,000+ PEOPLE ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITH CONTENT SHARED ON THE CITY PLAN WEBSITE, CITY PLAN YOUTUBE PLAYLIST, COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS CONSULTING FACEBOOK PAGE, AND THE ICHARLESTON, AQUÍ ESTAMOS! FACEBOOK PAGE.

REPRESENTATION

In the first round of engagement, the demographics of city-led sessions were majority white, age 40+, homeowners and affluent. Community-led sessions and the Spanish-language Charla Comunitaria contributed to an increase in participation from Latinx and Black/African-American residents, especially when compared to previous planning processes. There was also a strong level of participation (about one-third) of people who had never participated in planning conversations previously.

In the second round of engagement, there was a notable increase in participation from Black/African-American community members, especially through the in-person pop-ups, Community Solutions Consulting’s direct outreach, and settlement community project outreach; and a continued increase in Latinx participation through ArtPot’s direct outreach. The percentage of new participants remained strong (about one-third).

The City Plan community survey was completed by over 2,500 residents and other community members. Compared to the demographics of the City’s population, there was an over-representation of white respondents, lower Peninsula residents, and respondents age 35 and above; and an under-representation of tenants, lower-income

PROCESS AND ENGAGEMENT

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respondents (making $32,760 or less annually), Black/African-American respondents, Upper Peninsula and James Island residents, and youth (age 24 and younger). To compensate for this underrepresentation, the survey results from each underrepresented group were analyzed separately and compared to overall results to note where trends and themes diverged.

EQUITY AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION IN PLANNING

“Nothing about us without us.”

At every engagement activity, community members expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be informed and be heard, and shared a desire for increased transparency, communication and engagement on an ongoing basis.

Equity in planning requires that those impacted by decisions are active agents in the decisions being made. The engagement for the Charleston City Plan made significant strides in this direction, but there is still considerable work to be done, especially with those communities that remain underrepresented. This work will require time, resources, and a foundation of trust. Additionally, for community members to have true agency in planning decisions, they first need a base level of knowledge and understanding of how planning works, how it addresses the multiple intersecting issues affecting their quality of life, and how to stay informed. Education, transparency and relationship-building will require ongoing and consistent resources to shift from a culture of community engagement to one of community integration.

More information about engagement efforts, observations and recommendations can be found in the engagement reports compiled by the Asiko Group, Civic Communiciations and Community Solutions Consulting; and ArtPot in Appendix I.

Group photos were taken at the end of every listening session in the first round of engagement.

PROCESS AND ENGAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

01. Dedicate independent funding and resources for all departments to increase accessibility and promote community integration in planning and other decision-making processes; including additional resources to expand in-house communications capacity.

02. Invest in technology and other tools to expand access to public meetings and ongoing planning efforts.

03. Establish mechanisms to coordinate engagement, education and outreach efforts across all departments.

04. Increase the City’s capacity to consistently provide materials and information in both English and Spanish, and to proactively arrange English to/from Spanish interpretation for public meetings.

05. Develop strategies to ensure transparency and accountability for the implementation of plan recommendations, including a methodology to communicate progress for recommendations put forth in all sections of the City Plan.

06. Continue to research and diversify data sources to be data smart thus supporting staff when formulating policy, processes and ordinance development.

POPULATION

Population includes information related to historic trends and projections; the number, size and characteristics of households; educational levels and trends; income characteristics and trends; race; sex; age; and other information relevant to a clear understanding of how the population affects the existing situation and future potential of the area.

The Population chapter of the City Plan is foundational to the remaining sections of the plan, providing critical data about Charleston's population with a special emphasis on trends and patterns observed in various sets of demographic data. Most of the data used in this exploration is pulled from various types of demographic data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau and supplemented with local surveys and estimates.iv While numbers on a page can never define a people, they provide a data-driven narrative to help guide the Plan and its choices.

The City of Charleston is the primary urban center of a fast growing metropolitan region. The city in 2020 consisted of a variety of urban, suburban, and some rural settings - from the city's oldest neighborhoods downtown, to suburban subdivisions in West Ashley and on James Island, to the pastoral landscapes of Johns Island and new neighborhoods on the Cainhoy peninsula. Each area has its own unique history and man-made or natural environments. The residents of each area and every community share a strong sense of connection to the city and are deeply invested in its future.

As any vibrant, growing city, Charleston has seen the make-up of its population change over time. Demographically speaking, Charleston has changed dramatically during the past two decades. National trends such as a growing senior population, declining household sizes and increasing median incomes are changing the demographic make-up of the Charleston region. Recent trends also indicate the city is losing the diversity that has played such an important role in shaping what makes Charleston unique.

CHARLESTON IN CONTEXT

The City of Charleston is the urban and geographic center of the Lowcountry and is gaining in significance in the region, state and nation as it grows in population, and economic and cultural influence. In addition to welcoming more than 7 million visitors annually, it has recently become a destination for immigrants from all over the United States; but especially from the South and within the state itself.

State. Migration within the United States is one of the major patterns in national population change directly affecting population growth in South Carolina and the Charleston region. Between 2010 and 2019, the South Region (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau), by far, saw the highest overall increase in population, actually absorbing more than half of the estimated 19.4 million person national population increase. Continuing a trend from the previous decade, South Carolina was the tenth fastest growing state between 2010 and 2019. Most of the new South Carolina residents moved from nearby states including North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.v

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KEY TERMS

Demographics refers to the socioeconomic profile of a population according to factors such as employment, education, income, race, ethnicity, age, gender, household size and more.

Density (Population Density) is an indicator of how crowded, or spread-out, a population is. In land use planning the most common expression is the number of dwelling units per acre (ex. 1.5 du/ac is a low density area and 26.4 du/ac is a high density area).

Disparity is a difference in area of life (such as education, wealth, home and business ownership, education and health) that results in one group having a disproportionate burden of negative life outcomes.

Diversity refers to psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among any and all individuals; including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability and learning styles. i

Family refers to the householder and all (one or more) other people living in the same household who are related to the householder by blood, marriage, or adoption (according to the US Census Bureau).

Gentrification was defined as "the loss of neighborhood diversity through the displacement and exclusion of schools, churches, affordable housing and traditional neighborhood-based businesses" in the 2001 City of Charleston Gentrification Task Force Report to City Council. ii The Avery Institute defines gentrification as "the process of dismantling existing urban neighborhoods and displacing poor people of color to make way for new residents who are mostly white and wealthier." iii

Household refers to all of the people who occupy the same housing unit. This includes families with children, married and unmarried couples, roommates living together, or individuals living alone.

LGBTQIA stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual and is often used as an umbrella term to refer to the community of individuals identifying with one or more of these adjectives/experiences.

Median Household Income is the household income for the median-or middle- household in a region. If you were to line up each household in the area in order from lowest to highest income, the household in the middle of the line would be the median household. The amount of money that household earns would be the median household income.

Non-Binary is referring to all other gender identities not included in the Census-provided gender categories of male and female.

Socioeconomic refers to the social class of an individual or group based on a combination of education, income and occupation.

POPULATION

Tri-County Region. The Charleston region is often considered to be just the urban portions of the tri-county area, but for statistical and planning purposes, comprises the entire area within the boundaries of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. Within this regional context, the overall population has grown steadily and, most recently, has begun to rise more dramatically as local and national migration patterns affect the area. The latest 2019 Census estimate put the tri-county population at just over 800,000 people, a 17% increase since 2010, and estimates continued growth by about 30 persons per day.¹ Much like the statewide trend, most of the rapid growth in the region can be attributed to an influx of new residents through migration. Between 2010 and 2019, 74% of the population increase came from migration and 26% from natural increase.

This population migration to the tri-county region has led to dramatic housing growth outside the Charleston urban center, especially in suburban areas such as Mount Pleasant, Summerville and outer West Ashley. While the Charleston region as a whole increased rapidly in population, the city experienced the least change in population of the six largest metropolitan areas in the region.

POPULATION GROWTH

The City of Charleston's population has increased consistently since 1980, with the greatest increase occurring in the last decade. According to US Census Population Estimates figures, since 2010, the city increased in population by approximately 14% overall and about 1.55% per year. This indicates a rapid increase, though not as rapid as most of the surrounding towns and cities.

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*The majority of the Plan Area is comprised of the City of Charleston. However, it also includes properties in unincorporated Charleston and Berkeley Counties, as well as the Town of James Island.

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| CITY ESTIMATED POPULATION CHANGE BY AREA | 2010- 2019 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | AREA | PERSONS | PERCENT | | Peninsula | 40,969 | 18% | | West Ashley | 66,992 | 23% | | James Island | 22,215 | 24% | | Johns Island | 10,961 | 108% | | Cainhoy Peninsula | 15,399 | 90% |

Source: US Census and American Community Survey (ACS).

Overall population density in the City of Charleston has remained relatively stable in recent decades mainly due to the footprint of the city boundaries growing at a similar rate as the population. Between 1990 and 2000, about half the city’s population growth was the result of annexation. In contrast, today most of the growth is occurring as a result of migration to the city.

The most significant population growth trend facing Charleston is the rapidly growing city population outside the Peninsula. All areas of the city saw an increase of new residents between 2010 and 2020, but the Peninsula and West Ashley gained the largest number of people while Johns Island and the Cainhoy area experienced the largest percent increases in population at 108% and 90% respectively. West Ashley remains the most populated area of the city.

On the Peninsula, Charleston’s urban center, the density is the highest in the city and the region at 4,735/mi² while the Cainhoy Peninsula has the city’s lowest density at 429/mi². This distribution pattern of a high-density urban core surrounded by lower suburban densities at the edges of the city is typical of most urban areas.

Peninsula. The Charleston peninsula, historically the population center of the city and the region, is the second-most populated land body in the city with an estimated 40,000 residents. Both the total number and percentage of population on the peninsula declined significantly after 1940 and was on a downward trend until 2000 when it began to tick back up and has recently seen a resurgence. In 1940, the Charleston peninsula contained over 71,000 residents. This represented 42% of the population in the Charleston region and 100% of the population in the City of Charleston (no other

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city areas had been annexed). By 2000, the Peninsula population had declined by 50% to less than 36,000 residents. The population of the Peninsula had not been this low since before 1850. Today, the Peninsula accounts for just 5.4% of the region’s population and 26% of the city’s population.

Much of the initial decline of the urban center was the result of the mass population movement to the suburbs (commonly known as white flight) starting in the 1960s, but other factors such as reduction in household size and lack of housing growth continued the trend into the 1990s. The recent upward trend can be primarily attributed to job growth and residential construction in the commercial core along King and Meeting Streets and in the Upper Peninsula. The Peninsula remains the most culturally and demographically diverse area of the city and still absorbs a large number of people every day in the form of tourists and workers. The gradual decline in population and continued status as the economic and cultural engine of the region indicates the Peninsula has the potential for growth over the next several decades.

West Ashley. Currently, the most populated geographic area of the city is West Ashley, where 42% of the city’s residents live. This area has increased in population by 25% since 2000 and 75% since 1990. Most of the population lives in suburban neighborhoods developed since 1940 but has changed significantly since the 1960s and continues to grow and evolve. It was to the new subdivisions in what is now inner West Ashley that much of the population moved to when they left the peninsula. Today, outer West Ashley is seeing the most change as home construction continues steadily drawing many families and commuters pursuing lower housing prices.

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James Island. James Island, much like West Ashley, contains a large suburban population. The majority of James Island-ers are not in the City of Charleston jurisdiction. The city’s population on James Island has increased the smallest amount (24%) of all city areas since 2010 by an estimated 4,400 persons.

Johns Island. Johns Island remains the least populated area of the city despite significant growth over the past decade. The city portion of the population on Johns Island has more than doubled since 2010, but the total city population has only increased by an estimated 5,700 persons. Planned and approved development in the Maybank corridor indicate steady growth will continue over the next decade.

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Cainhoy Peninsula. While all areas of the city have seen significant increases in population, the Cainhoy Peninsula, has seen the highest percentage increase in population over the past ten years. Large areas remain undeveloped along Clements Ferry Road and will likely see much more population increase over the next ten years as this area contains some of the highest ground in the city and best opportunities to grow responsibly.

Population Projections. The population growth trend in the suburban areas is expected to continue, and by 2030 the population of the peninsula will continue its upward trend.¹ Johns Island, Daniel Island, West Ashley and the Cainhoy Peninsula are expected to continue with steady population growth while James Island growth will see only modest increases. Projections indicate most of the population will live outside the city center yet will not extend significantly beyond existing urban and suburbanized areas. Infill development, more compact development patterns, changing housing markets, and City planning and growth management policies may drive this trend.

DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS

Age. The gradual trend of an aging population is evident nationally and in the City of Charleston. Between 2010 and 2019, the latest estimates indicate a decrease in the percentage of persons under the age of 18. The largest age group in Charleston is made up of persons age 25 to 34 and percentage increases occurred in this age group and in all age groups from 55 to 74 leading to an overall increase in the median age from 32.5 to 34.8. An aging population can have implications on housing, education, the local economy and medical services.

Gender. Gender percentages remained stable during the last decade with approximately 52.7% of the population being female. The U.S. Census Bureau, the key source of local demographic data, currently does not collect non-binary gender statistics but alternative survey data from the Williams Institute indicates LGBT individuals make up about 3.5% of the population in South Carolina (over 180,215 individuals).²

Race and Ethnicity. Charleston continues to be a racially and ethnically diverse city, but recent trends indicate a shift toward a more homogenous demographic. The 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 74.1% of the city’s population are White/Caucasian while 21.7% are Black/African-American; down from

POPULATION

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41% in 1990 and a decrease of 3.9% since 2010. Total non-white Hispanic residents in the city increased from 2.9% in 2010 to an estimated 3.2% of the 2019 population with the most significant portion of the population living on Johns Island. Data provided by the Charleston County School District suggests Johns Island and other areas may have a higher percentage of Hispanic population than the Census data indicates. ix Other races and ethnicities collected by the Census including Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native make up about 2% of the city. Indigenous populations make up less than one-half percent of the city's community.

Families and Households. In 2019, families made up an estimated 52% of the households in Charleston, remaining stable since the last census. About 35% of the non-family households were people living alone, a slight decrease from a decade ago. The average family size was 2.97 persons in 2019, exactly the same size as in 2000. After decades of decline, average household size increased from 2.18 in the 2000 Census to 2.31 persons per household in 2019. The percent of households containing children declined (by 4%) and the percent containing persons 65 or older increased (by 4%) in the last decade; another indication of our aging population overall.

Income.

Median family incomes have risen steadily in the Charleston area over the years(about 28% since 2010) but not all residents have seen the same dollar increases, indicating a disparity in the opportunities all city residents have for access to housing,

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food and health care. White households have seen a disproportionate actual increase compared with black households as the racial income gap has widened significantly over the past decade. This gap in incomes is much higher in Charleston than nationally. The white household income in Charleston is $15,358 higher than the national average, while the black household income in Charleston is $7,039 below the national average. Reliable median household income for other racial and ethnic categories is not readily available.

The poverty rate of families in Charleston has dropped significantly over the past two decades cutting in half the percentage from 13.5% in 2000 to an estimated 6.5% in 2019. However, there is wide disparity between white persons living in poverty at 9.6% compared with black residents living in poverty at 24.7%. This difference again highlights the inequities in race and income in the city.

The Avery Institute’s 2017 State of Racial Disparities report lists the following factors as key contributors to income disparities by race:

Intergenerational poverty

Racial segregation and isolation

Housing, transportation, and other local-governmental policies that reinforce the conditions that lock black workers into lower-paying service jobs

Public education that does not meet the needs of the emerging majority of its students who are predominantly poor and black

Community economic development that is not adequately anchored by racial equity and social justice

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Source: U.S. Census and 2019 American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates

Education. Charleston residents are, overall, well-educated and increasingly so. The percentage of the population achieving more years of education beyond 9th grade is increasing as well as the number of persons with college and graduate degrees. In 2019, over 95% of the population 25 or older had a high school diploma (or equivalent) or higher. This is an increase of 4% from the 2010 ACS and is 7% higher than the national average. Also, 53% of Charlestonians had bachelor’s (or higher) degrees in 2019, an increase of 7% over the 2010 figure and 11% higher than the national average. These numbers vary widely between white and minority populations indicating a disparity in access to education.

GENTRIFICATION From its founding, Charleston was established by, built by and advanced by a population made up of a vast diversity of religions, races, nationalities and languages, brought together through shared circumstances of slavery, immigration, trade, war and self-determination. The 2001 City of Charleston Gentrification Task Force stated that diverse neighborhoods are essential to maintaining a high quality of life in Charleston and that the issue of gentrification is fundamental to the city’s future. Since this report was published, Charleston has been named the“fastest gentrifying city” in the country several times by Realtor.com. During engagement for the City Plan, community members of all backgrounds affirmed the link between diversity and quality of life and repeated concerns over gentrification and displacement of the city’s nonwhite and lower-income populations.

Indicators of our gentrifying city can be seen in the recent demographic trends highlighted in this chapter. Key indicators of gentrification include increase of white households, decrease in overall nonwhite households, increase in the area median income, increase in educational attainment and smaller household sizes.

Gentrification in Charleston is most stark for black households. Census figures from the past several decades show the percentage of white residents increasing at a faster pace than black residents; primarily due to in-migration. In each census between 1980 and 2010 the white population increased

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Source: U.S. Census and 2019 American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates

significantly while the black population remained relatively stable. Estimates in 2018 and 2019 indicate this trend will continue in the 2020 Census numbers and indicate a decline in the black population overall in the city, most notably on the Peninsula and Johns Island.

Strength in diversity means that the vibrance of the city’s economy and culture depends on maintaining and attracting diversity. Strategies to address gentrification in the City Plan include through municipal-level policies aimed at housing affordability, job growth, neighborhood support and quality of life. Plan recommendations related to these topics are addressed in other chapters of the plan.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural Resources are the elements of a community’s natural environment such as land, water, air, soil, plants and animals. Natural resource planning includes management and conservation of natural resources to support a mutually beneficial relationship between the people of a community and its natural ecosystems.

The people of Charleston feel a strong connection to the natural landscape of the Lowcountry, known for a semi-tropical climate and variety of unique plant and animal life. Hundreds of tidal creeks, wetlands, islands, and preserved forests dictate Charleston’s boundaries and where development can and cannot occur. The very founding of the city in its particular location can be attributed to the confluence of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando Rivers at the mouth of the Charleston Harbor. New challenges presented by climate change, including increased frequency and intensity of storms and sea level rise, highlight the need for environmental protection and sustainable development practices.

During engagement, community members emphasized the role of the natural landscape as a resource that can both improve quality of life for residents and mitigate flooding. There was strong support for the preservation and restoration of valuable ecosystems as Charleston faces increasing flooding challenges with sea level rise and worsening storms. There was also a call for increased access citywide to clean and healthy green space and water. In the City Plan Community Survey, community members ranked “effective drainage and flood management” and “clean environment” as the first and second factors contributing to overall quality of life.

LIVING WITH WATER

Effects of climate change, including the threats of sea level rise and increasing frequency and intensity of storms, are more tangible today than ever before and will require innovative natural resource management strategies moving forward. In 2019, Charleston City Council unanimously adopted the Dutch Dialogues Charleston Report and policy recommendations. The Dutch Dialogues team worked with local, national and international experts to conceptualize a “living with water” future for Charleston, one in which the urban landscape works harmoniously with the natural flow of water.

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Images courtesy of Dutch Dialogues: Charleston team.

KEY TERMS

Bioretention Basins, Bioswales and Rain Gardens are planted depressions of varying sizes and degrees designed to retain or detain stormwater before it is infiltrated or discharged downstream.

Climate Change refers to the changes in climate patterns that are primarily attributed to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

Conservation Design refers to innovative site planning techniques that restrict buildings, structures, and impervious surfaces within specific areas of a development to preserve the most valuable natural features of a site and increase the amount of common open space.

Ecosystem refers to the interrelationships and interaction among plants, animals and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape within a particular geographic area.

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.¹

Environmental Justice Communities are defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as communities with disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and increased vulnerability to said hazards.

Equitable Access means that public spaces and amenities, and opportunities for participation, are designed in such a way that responds to the needs of all community members and ensures fair access regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

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Creating planning and development guidelines that align with the “living with water” framework advocated by Dutch Dialogues is critical for the future of our city. Some strategies include:

• Protecting existing wetlands (including places expected to become wetlands in the future due to sea level rise);
• Discouraging impervious surfaces in favor of natural soils for the effective rainwater infiltration they provide;
• Reevaluating zoning codes to shift development from low-lying areas to higher ground;
• Promoting vegetated buffers, tree planting, and biorention basins, all of which filter and reduce stormwater runoff, a main source of water pollution in Charleston.

WATER QUALITY

Water makes up about 15% of the total area within the City of Charleston, making the issue of water quality a particularly important factor to overall quality of life. Stormwater runoff is one of the most common ways that pollutants enter local bodies of water. As rainwater flows into stormwater drains and retention ponds, it

“CHARLESTON’S LONG-TERM SURVIVAL WILL, IN LARGE PART, BE DETERMINED BY HOW THE COMMUNITY MANAGES ITS FLOOD AND SEA-LEVEL RISE RISKS.” DUTCH DIALOGUES CHARLESTON

captures pollutants including animal waste, pesticides and fertilizers, oil and gasoline from cars, and other harmful chemicals. According to a 2018 Charleston Post and Courier report, during significant flooding events, fecal coliform levels far exceed state guidelines in areas around the Charleston Peninsula.¹

Additionally, different land uses can generate different types of physical, biological, and chemical pollution that can impact water quality. For example, malfunctioning on-site septic systems may release nitrogen, phosphorous, and fecal coliform bacteria into groundwater.² Cleaning up and disposing of debris, preserving natural vegetation and drainage patterns and minimizing land disturbance during development are proven strategies for improving water quality.³

NATURAL RESOURCES AND EQUITY

Due to multiple factors including a long history of segregation, redlining and disregard for environmental hazards in lower income and minority communities, today many of Charleston’s most vulnerable neighborhoods are also some of the most exposed to flooding, extreme heat, and hazardous materials. According to the City’s 2020 All Hazards Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, about 71% of all hazardous materials locations are in the most vulnerable neighborhoods around the city (using the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index). The same study found that about 1,900 households with members 65 years of age or older and about 2,900 households living below the poverty line live in areas that are the most vulnerable to extreme heat due to their low tree canopy cover, high developed land cover, and less ability to cope with the effects of heat based on socioeconomic status.⁴

Throughout the City Plan public engagement process, community members around the city voiced their desire for equitable access to nature and high environmental standards for communities of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. For example, residents of African-American settlement communities in Wando cited the longleaf pine forests and local farms and waterways used for

fishing and crabbing as vital connections to the natural world. To address inequities in environmental quality and access, equity considerations should be at the forefront of land use and natural resources planning decisions over the coming decade.

PARKS AND CONSERVED AREAS

During the City Plan engagement process, 88% of City Plan survey respondents said they would like to see more land preserved for recreational use and many community members suggested prioritizing future parks and recreation investments for currently underserved neighborhoods. The Dutch Dialogues Charleston report recommended using parks facilities to store water and reduce runoff, a strategy supported by 80% of City Plan survey respondents.

In 2020, The City of Charleston Department of Parks maintained over 1,866 acres of parkland and 4.22 million square feet of building space, serving approximately 156,000 residents.⁵ The Parks Department is currently developing One Charleston, its first ever Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which will guide future parks acquisitions and major upcoming parks projects. Additionally, the City of Charleston has worked with Charleston County through the Charleston County Greenbelt Program to acquire interest in land for conservation, wetlands protection, historic and cultural preservation, parks, greenways and trails, and waterway access; and support public access and use of conserved lands. The Greenbelt Program, initiated in 2004, has protected over 21,000 acres of land, to date, of which over 9,300 acres were purchased for future public parks and green spaces. In 2016, Charleston County citizens approved a second one-half penny sales tax for roads, mass transit and greenbelts. This 25-year tax will provide an additional $210 million for Greenbelt Programs.⁶

KEY TERMS (CONT.)

Green Infrastructure is defined in the City of Charleston Zoning Ordinance as an adaptable term used to describe an array of materials, technologies, and practices that use natural systems or engineered systems that mimic natural processes to enhance overall environmental quality and provide utility services. As a general principal, green infrastructure techniques use soils and vegetation to infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and/or recycle stormwater runoff.

Green Space is an area of grass, trees, or other vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment.

Impervious Surfaces in the City of Charleston Zoning Ordinance is defined as a surface which is compacted or covered with material that is resistant to infiltration by water, including, but not limited to, most conventional surfaced streets, roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, and other similar structures.

Mitigation is the action of reducing the severity, seriousness or painfulness of something; to reduce its effects.

Sea Level Rise is an increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to effects of global warming.

Stormwater is water that accumulates as a result of rain or other precipitation and Runoff is created when stormwater flows over ground surfaces that do not allow the water to soak into the ground.

Sustainable Development is a concept that describes development that meets the needs of a community while simultaneously sustaining the natural resources and ecosystems on which the economy and society depend.

Tree Canopy Cover is defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the layer of leaves, branches and stems that provide tree coverage of the ground when viewed from above.

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a boundary line that surrounds the City of Charleston, discouraging suburban or urban growth in rural areas outside the UGB.

Vegetated Buffers are planted sections of land situated between development and area of protection.

Wetlands are classified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an area with hydrophytic (water-loving) plants, soils that support the growth of hydrophytic plants, and water (wetlands can sometimes be absent of standing water).

Wetland Buffer is a concentration of trees, shrubs, and other native plants and gradually sloping bank adjacent to a wetland.

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Urban Growth Boundary. In addition to improving and increasing the amount of parks and conserved lands, the City works to preserve green space and prevent urban sprawl through the protection of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Established in the late 1990s, the UGB is a boundary line that surrounds the City of Charleston, discouraging suburban or urban growth in rural areas outside the UGB. Respecting the UGB and concentrating development and redevelopment within this boundary is vital to protecting the ecologically rich rural areas and protected lands, which provide storm water retention and improve air quality for the entire region.

Many sections of the UGB are already well protected by park lands, designated conservation areas, or undevelopable natural features. To maintain the integrity of the full UGB, future land conservation efforts should focus along the Brownswood Road corridor, south of Cane Slash and Plow Ground Roads on Johns Island; along southern parts of Folly Road on James Island; and areas adjacent to the UGB in West Ashley and the Wando area on the Cainhoy Peninsula.

Existing Natural or Preserved Areas that protect the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

BULOW COUNTY PARK RANTOWLES CREEK AND ADJACENT WETLANDS FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Many people think of large and expensive manmade infrastructure projects as the only way to meet the challenges of sea level rise and flooding, but some of the best stormwater infrastructure tools have been around for thousands of years. “Green infrastructure” such as healthy clusters of trees and wetland buffers can have many of the same benefits as manmade stormwater management tools for a fraction of the cost.

Trees. In 2017, The U.S. Forest Service and The Green Infrastructure Center selected Charleston as one of the case studies for its Trees to Offset Stormwater program, which studied the City of Charleston’s tree canopy and the ways in which trees absorb, store and release water around the city. The Study found that 60.6% of the land within City limits is covered by tree canopy and 18.5% is covered by impervious surfaces such as parking lots or building footprints. In Downtown Charleston, only 17.4% of land is covered by tree canopy, and 62.8% is covered by impervious surfaces. From 1992 to 2016, the City of Charleston lost about 5% of its tree canopy according to researchers at the College of Charleston’s Lowcountry Hazards Center.viii That trend may be reversing as the city saw a 1.05% gain in tree canopy from 2009-2017.ix The City’s Stormwater and Parks divisions coordinate tree planting and maintenance and the City of Charleston has planted more than 5,000 new trees since 2017.x

Apart from the aesthetic benefits, shade, and habitat for animals that trees provide, they are also vital pieces of stormwater infrastructure. According to the Trees to Offset Stormwaterxi study, “during a rainfall event of one inch, one acre of forest will release 750 gallons of runoff, while a parking lot will release 27,000 gallons.”xii Trees are also much more cost effective than traditional man-made stormwater infrastructure. Land conserved for stormwater retention “show an eight-to-one dollar savings ratio versus man-made flood-control structures.”xiii Increased tree

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NATURAL RESOURCES

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Cross section of a typical freshwater wetland buffer. Image courtesy of Dr. Amy Scaroni, Clemson University.

canopy alone will not address stormwater issues, especially if the land surrounding the tree is covered by impervious surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. In order to achieve the stormwater benefits of trees, clusters of trees and larger forested areas must be conserved rather than simply planting trees around paved surfaces.

Wetlands. The City of Charleston is home to various types of wetlands, from forested freshwater wetlands to saltwater marshes. There are about 3.8 million acres of wetlands in South Carolina, and about 95% of those wetlands are located in the coastal region of the state. Wetland buffers offer a measure for wetland protection that can also serve as a vital element of green infrastructure. A wetland buffer is a concentration of trees, shrubs, and other native plants and gradually sloping bank adjacent to a wetland.

Wetland buffers serve three main purposes:

Provide flood storage. Wetland buffers store floodwater, allowing it to slowly infiltrate larger bodies of water, avoiding flash floods that can overwhelm manmade infrastructure.

Protect water quality. Wetland buffers filter and capture pollutants from storm water runoff before they enter bodies of water.

Preserve habitat for plants and animals. Wetlands provide habitat and shade, cooling water temperatures to levels more suitable for fish and other animals. They also provide protection between the edge of developed areas and the water features where plants and animals live.xiv

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Wetland buffers slow the rate of runoff and store floodwater during storm events. Image courtesy of Dr. Amy Scaroni, Clemson University.

Marsh. Marsh, or saltwater wetlands, are dynamic ecosystems that are influenced by the water levels of their neighboring bodies of water. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has established a “critical line” on the South Carolina coast that delineates bodies of water that feed into the Atlantic Ocean. To protect saltwater wetlands, various municipalities including the City of Charleston employ a Critical Line Buffer Ordinance, which require development to be set back additional distance from the OCRM critical line.

As sea level continues to rise, the location and size of saltwater marshes will also change. Planning and development strategies can directly affect how marshes move and change over time. To preserve these vital resources, low-lying areas should be reserved to make room for new marsh areas over time. Areas with manmade structures used to defend existing development will inhibit and eventually kill saltwater marshes.

Encouraging the use of fresh and saltwater wetland buffers through planning and zoning policies is vital for protecting developed areas of flooding, preserving biodiversity of plants and animals, and keeping pollutants out of bodies of water. Tools like rain gardens and bio-swales can also provide some of the benefits of wetland buffers, but usually work best on a smaller scale as a strategy to capture and divert runoff from impervious surfaces at the source.

PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Over the past ten years, the City of Charleston has made significant strides

NATURAL RESOURCES

to promote environmental sustainability through various policies and programs. In January of 2020, the City banned the use of single use plastic carryout and merchandise bags, as well as certain plastic carryout and food packaging items. In the same year, the City partnered with Clemson Extension and Keep Charleston Beautiful to provide guidance and funding for rain gardens throughout the city as part of Charleston Rainproof. The Mayor's Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) recently completed the City's All Hazards Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, which recommended numerous strategies for reducing the city's risk to major natural and manmade disasters, including implementing green infrastructure incentives through zoning or fees, and identifying open space that could double function as water storage areas. Earlier this year, City Council adopted the City's first-ever Climate Action Plan, a strategic framework for reducing carbon pollution and mitigating Charleston's impact on climate change.

i “Environmental Justice.” EPA. May 03, 2021. Accessed May 12, 2021. https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice. ii Bartleme, Tony, and Glenn Smith. “Charleston Floodwaters Are Crawling with Unsafe Levels of Poop Bacteria.” Charleston Post and Courier, June 14, 2018. Accessed May 2021. https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston-floodwaters-are-crawling-with-unsafe-levels-of-poop-bacteria/article_9a120c08-5780-11e8-b5eb-4b448c32fc94. html#:~:text=Charleston floodwaters are crawling with unsafe levels of poop bacteria.-By Tony Bartelme&text=Many downtown Charleston streets become,research by College of Charleston. iii Daniels, T. (2014). The Environmental Planning Handbook: For Sustainable Communities and Regions (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351179270 iv Ibid. v United States. City of Charleston, SC. Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. All Hazards Vulnerability and Risk Assessment. November 2020. Accessed May 2021. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27994/All-Hazards-Vulnerability-Assessment-Full-Report. vi https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26154/City-of-Charleston-2020-Formal-Budget vii Charleston County Greenbelt Program. https://greenbelt.charlestoncounty.org/ viii The Impact of Forest Cover on Flooding and Climate Change in Charleston County, SC. College of Charleston Low-country Hazards Center. 2020. Accessed May 2021. https://gis.cofc.edu/portal/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=8dd072b2b2774b83b4807e25f57ca8bd. ix Ibid. x City of Charleston FY2020 Budget https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26154/City-of-Charleston-2020-Formal-Budget p.268 xi United States. Green Infrastructure Center, City of Charleston, SC. Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, Department of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability. Trees to Offset Stormwater. September 2018. Accessed May 2021. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1567/Trees-to-Offset-Stormwater. xii Ibid. xiii Ibid. xiv Sarconi, Dr. Amy, Dr. Dan Hitchcock, and Barbara Neale. “Best Practices for Wetland Coastal Buffers. Session 1: Science and Design Considerations.” Lecture, Webinar, February 4, 2021.

NATURAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDATIONS

Develop policies and processes to amplify environmental justice considerations in land use, infrastructure and natural resources planning; including the prioritization of environmental justice communities in improvements to the environment and analysis of potential negative impacts of projects on environmental justice communities.

Continue to provide and expand the parks system to include large and small parks and promote equitable access and safe alternative connectivity to green spaces and water around the city.

Support land conservation around the edges of the Urban Growth Boundary, specifically along the Brownswood Road corridor and south of Cane Slash and Plow Ground Roads on Johns Island and along southern parts of Folly Road on James Island, as well as areas adjacent to the UGB in West Ashley and the Wando area on the Cainhoy Peninsula.

Develop a Greenbelt prioritization plan and work with surrounding jurisdictions to preserve more green spaces, particularly along the Urban Growth Boundary.

Create incentives for the use of conservation easements, including developing a toolkit for green space preservation.

Ensure land development regulations adequately protect the city’s farms, prime soils for farming, natural resources and rural areas.

Continue to promote planning and zoning policies that align with the “living with water approach” outlined in the Dutch Dialogues Charleston study, including encouraging the use of green infrastructure in landscaping practices and stormwater management. Green infrastructure includes features such as bio-swales, porous pavements, rain gardens, and wetland buffers; and other practices that leave existing natural features and ecosystems undisturbed.

Dedicate staff and resources to support collaboration between Stormwater Management, Parks and Planning to oversee preservation, creation and maintenance of green infrastructure.

Implement recommendations from the Trees to Offset Stormwater study including updating the City’s Tree Protection Ordinance to preserve clusters of trees during the development process, track and increase tree canopy percentages around the city, and prioritize underserved areas or areas with aging inventory for tree planting.

Implement land use and transportation planning strategies to account for marsh and wetland migration due to sea level rise, including vegetated buffers to allow space for the marsh or wetland to migrate and restricting development and roadways in tidal flood risk zones.

Increase incentives and educational opportunities for residents to increase and maintain green infrastructure on their properties.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Cultural Resources are those features of a community – tangible or intangible – that are shaped by the people who live (or lived) there, and that create a unique sense of place and history, and promote cultural activities. They can include historic buildings and structures, commercial or residential areas, natural or scenic resources, archaeological sites, educational, religious or entertainment areas or institutions, and any other feature or facility that relates to the cultural aspect of a community.

Charleston’s distinct cultural identity can be felt in every corner of the city, present in the cuisine, the arts, and the physical spaces that hosted some of the most important people and moments in American history. Many of these aspects of our city attracted the over seven million people who visited Charleston last year.¹ Supporting and preserving these resources are critical to both fostering Charleston’s unique sense of place and furthering the community’s economic and sustainability goals. The Cultural Resources chapter provides an overview of existing resources as well as opportunities to strengthen resources in the coming years. A particular emphasis is placed on cultural resources pertaining to African-American history and culture, including a first ever inventory of historic and existing African-American settlement communities within and around the City of Charleston.

THE ARTS

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) serves as the City’s main advocate for the arts. The OCA spotlights the work of local artists, performers, and writers, supports and serves as a convening agency for local arts organizations, partners with Charleston County Schools to provide arts education opportunities, and works on several major events, including the downtown and West Ashley Farmers Markets.

KEY TERMS

Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast. The nature of their enslavement on isolated island and coastal plantations created a unique culture with deep African retentions that are clearly visible in the Gullah Geechee people’s distinctive arts, crafts, foodways, music, and language.² Many Gullah Geechee people of the Lowcountry also maintain that some ancestors of Gullah Geechee people arrived prior to European colonists and were never enslaved.³

Heirs Property Heirs Property refers to land that has been passed down without a will and is still titled in the name of someone who died more than ten years ago. Owning land “in common” – as heirs – is unstable and puts family land at high risk for loss. Also, owners of heirs property cannot obtain a mortgage or loan or qualify for assistance programs to renovate homes, recover after disasters or improve the family land.⁴

Indigenous peoples refers to those peoples with pre-existing sovereignty who were living together as a community prior to contact with settler populations.⁵

Reconstruction refers to the period after the Civil War, 1865-1877, during which formerly enslaved African-Americans made considerable economic and political gains. It ended after years of political unrest and voter intimidation spearheaded by the Ku Klux Klan restored political power to a white supremacist political majority in Southern states.⁶

Settlement Communities were established during the Reconstruction years (1865-1877) and through the early 20th Century by freed Gullah Geechee people and their descendants, defined by their ancestral connections to the land and their shared identity, identity, and cultural institutions such as schools, churches and businesses.

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Cannon Street Arts Center, home of PURE Theatre. Image Courtesy of OCA.

Future rendering of the Albert Simons Center for the Arts, The College of Charleston. Image courtesy of The College of Charleston and Liollio Architecture.

Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall at the Gaillard Center. Image courtesy of The Gaillard Center.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

The City of Charleston is home to numerous arts venues, including art galleries, theatres, auditoriums and playhouses. The Gaillard Center serves as the city’s premier venue for performing arts, and underwent extensive renovations from 2012-2015 to add the 1,800 seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, a 15,000 square foot Exhibition Hall, and three floors of City offices.vii The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at The College of Charleston, The Gibbes Museum, Redux Contemporary Art Center, and numerous smaller galleries showcase the work of talented artists, many of whom call Charleston home.

The College of Charleston’s Albert Simons Center for the Arts will soon begin significant renovations including the addition of a new black box theatre.viii The College’s Sottile Theatre on King St. is also currently undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in 2021. The Cannon Street Arts Center, a converted historic church in Cannonborough-Elliotborough, has been managed by the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs since 2016 and hosts PURE Theater Charleston. The Cultural Arts Center of Charleston recently relocated to Citadel Mall in West Ashley, and offers family performances, educational programs, and community events.ix Other important arts venues include the Dock Street Theatre, Memminger Auditorium, Charleston Music Hall, Woolfe Street Playhouse, Music Farm, 34 West Theater Company, Queen Street Playhouse and The Pearl West Ashley Theater Center.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Festivals and cultural events in the city include Spoleto USA, Piccolo Spoleto, MOJA Festival, Charleston Food and Wine Festival, Charleston Fashion Week, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, and the Cooper River Bridge Run. Other important attractions include the South Carolina Aquarium, The Charleston Museum (the nation’s oldest museum), The Children’s Museum, Charles Towne Landing Historic Site, the future International African American Museum (opening in 2022), Family Circle Cup Stadium on Daniel Island, and Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, home of the Charleston Riverdogs baseball team. Other local sports teams include the Charleston Battery soccer team and the South Carolina Stingrays ice hockey team.

HISTORY

Charleston contains many areas that are historically and culturally important. The protection, enhancement and preservation of properties and areas of cultural and archaeological significance is critical to preserving Charleston’s unique sense of place.

Indigenous Land. Indigenous people lived in the area for thousands of years before European conquest. Some of the groups in the area included the Stono, Edisto, Kiawah, Wando, Sewee, and Etiwan. These groups farmed a variety of crops, established complex trade routes, and produced elaborate tools, pottery, jewelry and clothing. Many names familiar to modern Charlestonians (Yemesse, Edisto, Stono, Wando, Chicora, among many others) were derived from indigenous words or names. Indigenous populations saw a dramatic decline after European colonization beginning in 1520 due to disease, enslavement, and other violence. While many entire indigenous groups around the state have been lost, several are still present and active today, including the Catawba, Cherokee, Pee Dee, Chicora, Edisto, Santee, Yamassee, and Chicora-Waccamaw.x

Charleston. Established by the English in 1670, Charleston is South Carolina’s oldest incorporated city and is also among the oldest in the country. Downtown Charleston is known for its well-preserved seventeenth and eighteenth century architecture. The Old and Historic District on the Charleston Peninsula is the first historic district in the United States and was established by local ordinance in 1931, three decades before the U.S. Federal Government began offering its own designation. Numerous sites, districts, and other landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places are located throughout the city.

The City’s 2008 Preservation Planxi highlighted the integral role that historic preservation plays in the City’s approach to planning and development, and made recommendations including:

• Retaining long-standing communities through affordable housing tools;
• Promoting a dense and diverse urban community on the Charleston Peninsula;
• Promoting high-quality architecture throughout the city;
• Promoting environmental and cultural sustainability in the built and natural environment when considering planning and development decisions.

The Preservation Plan also recognized the archaeological significance of Charleston and the educational value and benefit to identifying and understanding archaeological resources related to various historic time periods, diverse cultures, historically marginalized groups, and various socioeconomic contexts. The City has studied the potential for an archaeological ordinance that would provide preservation standards to protect archaeological resources. To implement such an ordinance would require additional staff and resources.

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY

Each of the aspects that collectively make up the Charleston and Lowcountry cultural identity: the cuisine, agriculture, iconic buildings and streets, abundant churches, handmade goods, arts, crafts and music, are the lasting contributions of generations of African American Charlestonians and the Gullah Geechee people. They are tied directly to Charleston’s legacy of slavery and its aftermath. Charleston is also home to several prominent Civil Rights leaders and campaigns that shaped the entire movement.

“RACE AND POLITICS HAS BEEN ENTANGLED WITH THE AZALEAS, LIVE OAKS, AND CRAPE MYRTLES FOR DECADES, OFTEN CHOKING OFF BLACK MEMORIES OF THE PAST.” KYTLE, E.J. AND ROBERTS, B., “DENMARK VESEY’S GARDEN” XII

Despite this rich legacy, the contributions and experiences of the African-American people and communities that have made Charleston what it is today and continue to enrich our community have too often been left out of cultural heritage preservation efforts.

During Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era, early preservation efforts championed a romanticized version of Charleston’s story that downplayed slavery, elevated the elegant lifestyles of its white slaveholders, and gave prominence to Confederate leaders. Attempts to change the historical landscape to be more inclusive of the African-American experience did not gain momentum until the late 20th century as on outcome of the Civil Rights movement.xiii Significant strides have been made since, there remains a need to tell a more complete story of Charleston’s past – and present – by

CULTURAL RESOURCES

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The International African American Museum, expected to open in 2022, “strives to foster empathy and understanding, empowering visitors with the knowledge of the past.” xvi Image courtesy of the International African American Museum.

The Avery Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston occupies the site of the former Avery Normal Institute, which served as “a hub for Charleston’s African-American community from 1865–1954 that trained its students for professional careers and leadership roles.” xvii Image courtesy of the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, photograph by Liz Vaughn, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 2010.

continuing to promote and invest in the preservation and celebration of African American historic and cultural heritage.

The International African American Museum (IAAM) is currently under construction in Gadsdenboro on the Charleston Peninsula, in the same location where nearly half of all enslaved people brought to North America during the 18th and early 19th centuries first set foot in the U.S.xiv Opening in 2022, the museum will host exhibitions, the African American Memorial Garden, and the Center for Family History, where visitors can trace their genealogy using the Museum’s resources.xv Other existing institutions working to preserve and highlight African American history and culture in the area include the African American Settlement Community Historic Commission, the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Corridor, the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce, the Gullah Society, the Center for Heirs Property Preservation, the Old Slave Mart Museum and the Progressive Club.

HISTORIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

One time sensitive opportunity to protect and elevate African-American cultural heritage in Charleston is through the recognition and preservation of historic and neighborhood. During Reconstruction (1865-1877) and through the early 20th Century, the majority of freed Gullah Geechee people and their descendants settled in communities throughout the Lowcountry. Several communities were established formally through land cooperatives and planned subdivisions, such as Maryville/Ashleyville in West Ashley, which originated as a planned neighborhood in 1885 and organized to form the Town of Maryville (1886-1936). Many other communities formed organically through concentrated patterns of private land acquisition. Some communities that now consist primarily of tenants (formed in the wake of Urban Renewal and public housing construction) are no longer defined through land ownership, but by their ancestral connections to the land.

Though the origins and physical landscape vary, common defining features of settlement communities are their shared history, identity, and cultural institutions such as schools, churches and businesses.

In the wake of rapid gentrification and mounting development pressures, some of these communities have since been lost to private land sales, redevelopment, and heirs property suits; but many of these communities are still intact today and are the proud home to the descendants of their original founders. Several communities such as Maryville/Ashleyville, Red Top and Sol Legare have made significant strides to document their histories. However, the majority of settlement communities and neighborhoods around the City of Charleston have been excluded from past surveys, plans or studies; and/or have not been recognized for their historical and cultural significance.

Recent initiatives led by community leaders and organizations, academic institutions and other jurisdictions (Charleston County and the Town of Mt. Pleasant) have contributed to a growing body of research and historical recognition of several communities. Preliminary research completed for the City Plan builds on these efforts and recognizes historic African-American settlement communities and neighborhoods within and adjacent to the City of Charleston’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) – both informal settlements and formal planned neighborhoods – that still maintain a shared identity and connection to their past. Due to their rich history and contributions to our region, the City Plan acknowledges these communities as significant cultural resources that are worth protecting and investing in; and whose residents are entitled to agency and authority regarding future development and investment.

METHODOLOGY

The information presented in this section builds off existing documentation and incorporates preliminary research guided by interviews and conversations with individuals from various settlement communities. Whenever possible, information was cross-referenced with historical surveys and current property ownership records to inform approximate boundaries. Persistent efforts were made to include all communities and ensure accurate representation. However, there were many limitations to the research and it is not comprehensive. A more thorough survey is necessary to build on and further confirm the information presented.

The City Plan does not establish a strict definition for what constitutes a settlement community. However, the characteristics of settlement communities below emerged through conversations with community members and archival research.

Historic concentrations of African-American households in a particular geographic area, especially during the late 19th century/early 20th century and extending into the mid-century;

History of community autonomy: shared hyper-local economy and civic institutions such as churches and schools;

Concentrations of family property that has been passed down through generations, often including heirs property.

COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

The Charleston City Plan recognizes at least 56 historic settlement communities and neighborhoods. Included in this count are numerous communities on the Peninsula whose context and timeline are distinct from other settlement areas, but nonetheless

CULTURAL RESOURCES

HISTORIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

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WEST ASHLEY

1. Maryville/Ashleyville
2. Washington Park
3. Heritage Park
4. Jenkins Woods

SAVAGE ROAD AREA 5. Trotty Woods 6. Ancrum Hill 7. Orleans Woods/Carverwood 8. Grant Hill 9. Melvin* 10. Sanders

JOHNS ISLAND 11. Red Top 12. Exchange Landing 13. Cape 14. Hut 15. Geddis 16. Pinckney 17.-19. Names Unknown

JAMES ISLAND

CUT BRIDGE 20. Cross Cut 21. Ferguson Village (Down Cut) 22. Turkey Pen (Down Cut)

GRIMBALL AREA 23. Grimball Shores 24. Barn Hill 25. Grimball Farms 26. Carver 27. Scott Hill 28. Bee Field

29. Sol Legare
30. Westchester
31. Peas Hill
32. Honey Hill

WANDO 33. The Ferry 34. Pinefield 35. Yellow House 36. Jack Primus 37. Honey Hill 38. Cainhoy 39. Name Unknown*

PENINSULA 40. Four Mile/Hibernian 41. Rosemont 42. Silver Hill 43. Garden Hill 44. Magnolia* 45. Cool Blow/East Central

URBAN ENCLAVES 46. North Central 47. Westside 48. Gadsden Green 49. Eastside 50. Cannonborough/Elliottborough* 51. Radcliffeborough* 52. Mazyck-Wraggborough* 53. Ansonborough* 54. Gadsdenborough* 55. Harleston Village* 56. Gulf Landing*

*Recognized historically, but not considered an existing settlement community or urban enclave due to redevelopment and/or substantial change in demographics.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

should be recognized as significant cultural resources due to their strong familial, historical and cultural ties to settlement communities and the legacy they all collectively represent. These neighborhoods are identified here using the term “Urban Enclaves,” which denotes that they were predominantly white or integrated when established but throughout the 20th Century included thriving enclaves of African-American residential and cultural districts.

The preceding map displays all known historic African-American settlement communities and neighborhoods within and adjacent to the City of Charleston’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Historic boundaries in most cases are approximate and community names are those contemporary to the individuals that informed the research (when formal documentation was not available). The general areas of the historic communities were informed by property surveys, plats (when available) and USGS topography maps spanning from the late 1800’s to the late 1930’s. The approximate expanse of existing communities are also included on the Future Land Use Maps in the Land Use element. It should be noted that many of the communities identified in this plan are technically outside of City limits in either unincorporated Charleston County, Berkeley County or the Town of James Island.

i “The Gullah Geechee People.” Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. Access May 2021. https://gullahgeecheecorridor.org/thegullahgeechee/ ii Interview with J. Martin-Carrington, Board Member of the Gullah Society. iii Adapted definition from the Center for Heirs Property. iv “Native American and Indigenous Peoples FAQs.” UCLA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Accessed May 2021. https:// equity.ucla.edu/know/resources-on-native-american-and-indigenous-affairs/native-american-and-indigenous-peoples-faqs/#whoareind v Foner, E., “Reconstruction.” Encyclopedia Britannica, September 10, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/event/Reconstruction-United-States-history. vi 2019-2020 Annual Report. Report. Office of Tourism, College of Charleston. 2020. Accessed Fall 2020. https://sb.cofc. edu/centers/tourismanalysis/annualreports/otaannualreport20192020.pdf. vii “Charleston Gaillard Center.” Charleston Gaillard Center. May 10, 2021. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://gaillardcenter.org/. viii https://www.postandcourier.com/features/college-of-charleston-set-to-embark-on-a-50-million-renovation-of-major-campus-building/article_d3a70074-bec5-11e9-9a0f-839660de2ff8.html ix “Best Theater Entertainment in Charleston: CACC.” Cultural Arts Center. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www. cartscc.com/. x “SC Indians – Native Americans in South Carolina.” SC Indian Tribes - Native Americans in South Carolina. Accessed May 12, 2021. https://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/. xi United States. City of Charleston, SC. Department of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability. 2007 Preservation Plan. 2007. Accessed Fall 2020. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/891/Preservation-Plan. xii Kytle, Ethan J., and Blain Roberts. Denmark Vesey’s Garden: Severy and Memory in the Cradle of the Confederacy. New York: New Press, 2018. xiii Ibid. xiv Ibid. xv “About.” IAAM Center for Family History. Accessed May 2021. https://cfh.iaamuseum.org/. xvi Ibid. xvii “About.” Avery Research Center. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://avery.cofc.edu/about/. xviii Hamilton, Diane. Maryville, The Audacity of a People. US: Bookbaby. 2021. xix New South Associates. Charleston County Historic Resources Survey Update. September

CULTURAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDATIONS

Build, maintain and preserve an array of high quality cultural facilities and sites, especially in areas of the city with less access to existing cultural resources.

Support policies, incentives and plans that stimulate historic preservation, restoration and reuse of cultural resources, especially resources relating to African American heritage and history.

Encourage public and private investment in the growth and development of Charleston’s arts community.

Support development of community plans for settlement communities within corporate City limits that outline future goals related to preservation, investment and development; and recommendations for policies and other strategies for achieving those goals.

Work with neighboring jurisdictions to elevate the voices and concerns of settlement communities in ongoing conversations related to preservation, resiliency, gentrification and displacement, and future development and infrastructure projects.

Identify and protect significant sites citywide, including historic houses of worship, cemeteries and burial grounds, that contribute to Charleston’s identity and represent its history; especially those sites significant to African-American heritage and history.

Increase the amount of markers and monuments documenting sites and key figures culturally and historically significant to Charleston’s African-American and other underrepresented communities.

Uphold historic preservation as a form of sustainable development by promoting and creating incentives for rehabilitating and adapting historic buildings for new uses.

Update and maintain a cultural resource inventory to evaluate the status of known cultural resources, identify under-documented and/or threatened cultural resources - especially in African-American settlement communities, and prioritize documentation needs and designation recommendations.

Conduct a new historic resources survey for all appropriate parts of the City, especially the Upper Peninsula.

Strengthen policies and allocate resources to address demolition by neglect of historic properties.

Reevaluate the feasibility of an archaeological ordinance for the City.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic Development includes historic trends and projections on the numbers and characteristics of the labor force, where the people in the community work, where people who work in the community reside, available employment characteristics and trends, an economic base analysis and any other matters affecting the local economy.

The City of Charleston is the urban center of a rapidly growing regional economy that has experienced significant changes in recent decades. New jobs have brought an influx of new residents and the economy has diversified to include more manufacturing, information technology and other industries; a shift from the previous reliance on military and tourism. The increase in jobs has led to an overall increase in median wage for Charleston residents, but racial income disparities have worsened and wages are still not keeping up with cost of living. Additionally, the recession caused by the pandemic hit many core industries hard, most notably the hospitality sector, which provides almost one-third of Charleston jobs. As the economy rebuilds, Charleston has an opportunity to promote inclusive economic vitality and health in all areas of the city, that leverages its wealth of cultural and natural resources, increases wages and opportunities for all residents, and closes racial wealth gaps.

EMPLOYMENT¹

The city hosts 7,353 unique businesses employing approximately 121,388 people. The largest employment sector in the City of Charleston is healthcare and social assistance, employing 35,413 persons, of which 28,884 work on the Peninsula. The second largest sector is accommodations (hotels) and food service, which employs approximately 13,863 persons citywide, with 9,710 on the Peninsula. The largest single employers in the city, all located downtown, include the Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis Healthcare and the College of Charleston.

*in 2019

Source: Charleston Regional Data (charlestonregionaldata.com/fastest-growing-occupations).

KEY TERMS

Cost of Living includes the amount of money a household needs to cover basic expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, food and other necessities.

Economic Equity or inclusive growth, is the full inclusion of all groups in an area’s economic growth and prosperity, regardless of socioeconomic status; which requires addressing economic injustices at the root causes and creating opportunities for all.

Job Centers are areas that are primarily commercial, with a specific focus on industries that generate a wide variety of jobs, such as manufacturing, warehousing, office and some commercial. Job centers can also serve as incubators for small and entrepreneurial businesses.

Living Wage is the hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support his/her/theirself and their family, assuming the sole provider is working full-time (2,080 hours per year).

Median Household Income is the household income for the median-or middle- household in a region. If you were to line up each household in the area in order from lowest to highest income, the household in the middle of the line would be the median household. Income can include non-wage income.

Median Wage is the middle wage (what someone is paid for work) in a region, based on annual wage reports. If you were to line up each wage earned in order from lowest to highest, the wage amount in the middle of the line would be the median wage.

Mixed-Use Centers is an area where there is a mix of residential and commercial uses, and sometimes cultural, institutional and entertainment uses as well.

Multi-Modal refers to having access to multiple ways (modes) to move around an area – including by personal vehicle, bike, transit, walking and other modes.

The city is also a leader in professional, scientific and technical services with 942 unique business employing 6,356 people. Those businesses include architecture firms, engineering firms, computer system design firms, and other professional practices. This category employs only 5.2% of the city's workforce, but typically offers more higher-paying jobs.

Recent trends in job creation indicate a continued growth in accommodations and food, as well as construction, retail, manufacturing and technology industries. Between 2013-2018, the Food & Culinary industry led in total number of new jobs, but Research and

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Source: Charleston Regional Data (charlestonregionaldata.com/fastest-growing-occupations).

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Management, Administrative Services and Construction Trade grew the most by percent increase.

WAGES

During engagement, one of the primary concerns voiced by community members was the high cost of living and low wages. In the Southeast region, Charleston comes in second to Washington, DC, where the median household income is 28% higher.[^p30-ii]

The hourly median wage from 2010 to 2019 increased by 17%, from $15.30 to $18.00 per hour, or from $31,824 to $37,440 annually. The living wage for one working adult with one child in the Charleston MSA is calculated to be approximately $31.99/hour or approximately $66,539 annually.[^p30-iii] The Area Median Income (AMI) for the 2020-2021 period, which can include non-wage income, was $56,700 for a single-individual household in the Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Median family incomes have risen by about 28% since 2010 but white households have seen a disproportionate actual increase compared with black households as the racial income gap has widened significantly over the past decade (by roughly 39%).

Though some area job sectors (such as the healthcare and business/financial) provide opportunities for higher-wage jobs, the city’s second largest employment sector – food and beverage – provides an annual median income of only $20,612. Moving forward there will need to be further study into how the city can recruit and support employers that pay wages more consistent with the cost of living and attract a more diverse workforce. Additionally, affordable housing and transportation will continue to be important to support a sustainable and equitable economy rooted in diversity.

KEY TRENDS

Though the peninsula serves as the primary cultural and economic hub in Charleston,

Source: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

each area of the city is unique in its economic environment and potential for future growth.

The Peninsula is a center of commerce and a job center for the region. Its leading job sectors include the medical and social assistance sectors, accommodations and food service, and retail trade. Future opportunities for the peninsula include the proposed Lowcountry Rapid Transit route, which can increase the area’s capacity to serve as a job center; the new Charleston Tech Center, which can connect more people with job training and access to higher-paying jobs; and the redevelopment along Morrison Drive and the Upper Peninsula, bringing a new generation of office space.

West Ashley contains a mix of local and national establishments that line its commercial corridors. The largest job sector is retail trade. Other sectors that make up the bulk of employment include healthcare and social assistance, and accommodations and food service. Plan West Ashley noted that approximately 86% of all residents in West Ashley leave to go to their jobs elsewhere. Recent trends indicate that the employment sector in West Ashley is diversifying away from the traditional suburban retail to other sectors. With the Epic Center Planned Unit Development (PUD), the growing presence of the healthcare industry, and several other office developments in West Ashley, the market appears to be shifting to a more balanced mix of office and retail. This will support the efforts to provide opportunities for people to live within walking distance to employment, services and cultural centers.

James Island has two main commercial thoroughfares, Folly Road and Maybank Highway. Other smaller nodes exist on Harbor View Road and Camp Road. The largest employment sector is retail trade, followed by the accommodations and food service sector. The remainder of employment is in healthcare, education and legal services. Recent efforts to bring “complete streets” and increase mobility along Folly Road (ReThink Folly Road plan) and Maybank

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Source: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Highway present opportunities to create unique economic environments and support new businesses along its key commercial corridors.

Johns Island is a primarily rural island, with the majority of the commercial activity concentrated along the Maybank Highway corridor, and at intersections of River Road and Main Road. The majority of the market is construction and retail. As the area’s population grows, new commercial activity is expected to support the growing population and provide needed services. The area is expected to see an increase in professional and medical offices, and retail or food service. As commercial activity increases, there should be an emphasis on mixed-use centers and multi-modal connections to the residential areas.

The Cainhoy Peninsula includes the communities of Wando and Daniel Island, two distinct but geographically linked areas. The largest employment sector in this area is information (software publishing, media production, and telecommunications). Other major sectors include construction and retail. The Clements Ferry Road corridor is already lined with pockets of industrial and commercial properties and has the potential to become a major job center. Similar to Johns Island, new commercial activity is expected to support the growing population and provide needed services. With its proximity to I-526 and the Port of Charleston, this area has the potential to support increased jobs in manufacturing and logistics. As commercial activity increases, there should be an emphasis placed on mixed-use centers and multi-modal connections to the residential areas.

EQUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

During engagement, community members expressed a lot of interest in having more support for locally-owned businesses in all areas of the city, more affordable commercial space and a more diversified economy that provides a wide range of jobs with quality wages. Residents also emphasized the

Source: City of Charleston 2020 Adopted Budget, p.48 (Note: Index sets 100 as a baseline for comparison in the region. Values above 100 are considered above average and values below 100 are below average.)