Status: Beaufort County and its municipalities have jointly hired a consultant to develop a regional, Form Based Code to replace current zoning. Community meetings have been conducted in four communities and proposed design and regulating plans are expected to be presented in January 2012. The City of Beaufort has established an Office of Civic Investment who have been conducting neighborhood charrettes for a Civic Master Plan to guide infill and redevelopment throughout the city based on Form Based standards.

What is the issue?

Municipal and county officials in Beaufort County have realized that all governments must work together to better deal with growth pressures facing our region. This is in large part due to concerns generated by CCL over recent annexations and the growing recognition that uncontrolled growth has generated significant and costly infrastructure needs. Cooperative efforts have resulted in Regional Plans for each the northern and southern portions of the county and Intergovernmental Agreements have been adopted by the governments to implement the objectives in the Regional Plans for land use, environmental standards and coordination of development plans. Results which promote smart growth have been incorporated into their respective Comprehensive Plans.

How would it affect South Carolina?

Cooperative efforts by Beaufort in regional planning can serve as a model for other communities facing pressures on infrastructure plans and citizens’ quality of life brought on by rapid growth and development.

What can you do about it?

Citizens need to encourage elected officials to stick with the objectives in the Regional Plans and assure that these goals are reflected in updates of the Comprehensive Plans. Also, citizens in adjacent counties and municipalities should encourage their officials to participate in regional planning.

Photo: Flight provided by Southwings

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