COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

CITY OF GOOSE CREEK POLICE TRAINING ROOM

AUGUST 18, 2009 MINUTES

A. Attendance

Committee Members Present: Joel Arenson, Rick Buckner, Jim Fisk, Jerry Glass, Nancy Hellstrom, Gayla McSwain, Doug Quinn, Jeffrey Smith, Allen Wall

Committee Members Absent: Paul Connerty, Jerry Tekac, Tom Volkmar, and Barry Washington

BCD COG Staff Present: Rob Caison, Jessica Gillis

City Staff Present: Daniel Ben-Yisrael, Ryan Sigworth, and Sarah Hanson

Mr. Wall called the meeting to order. He welcomed Jim Fisk who was representing the ZBA in Mr. Volkmar’s absence.

B. Meeting Summary

Rob Caison summarized the discussions of the past meeting. He explained that the primary focus in the plan process right now is to assess what exists within each Plan element and then see how these existing conditions can be incorporated into the Plan and how they interconnect to the other elements of the Plan. Mr. Arenson mentioned the Summerville museum and suggested that Goose Creek might be able to duplicate that. Mr. Wall asked if a note could be made that this is something we would like to strive for. Mr. Caison stated that this is something that can be presented at future visioning workshops. He also suggested the option of using an application on iPhones to be able to access information about the historical markers and landmarks found on the hiker-biker trails.

C. Approval of Minutes

Mr. Arenson made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Mr. Buckner seconded. All in favor.

D. Committee Discussion – Planning Area Designation

Mr. Wall turned the meeting over to Mr. Caison. Mr. Caison provided a map of the municipal boundaries of the City of Goose Creek, including the Naval Weapons Station and the municipalities that border the City. The map had been marked with a 1-½ mile

buffer that could be designated as a potential planning area. He asked what scale buffer the Committee wished to work with as a future planning area. There was discussion as to how the process of planning for areas not within the municipal boundaries works, some suggesting that it is important to have a plan in place in the event these areas become a part of the city in the future. It was also suggested that areas be identified to guide future growth and infrastructure. Because the COG has been working with Berkeley County in their Comp Plan it will be possible to work with a coordinated plan for those areas presently within Berkeley County. It was noted that there are areas within the county not incorporated into other municipalities. Without natural buffering boundaries an arbitrary boundary must be selected. In discussing Charleston County it was noted that at some time unincorporated parcels in Charleston County could be annexed into Goose Creek. The Committee will be studying what could be happening within that buffer area – infrastructure improvements, sales tax programs, etc. and their impact on Goose Creek. There was discussion about the vision of Goose Creek as far as growth, noting that the Planning Area Map will not be an annexation map but rather a map for planning for land use. It was suggested to expand the planning area to all the surrounding municipal boundaries, with Cane Bay to the North and the river on the east side. It was suggested that the Committee should, as part of the planning process, designate various areas for commercial development, residential, etc. rather than do more specific planning. There was a question as to how the City now incorporates pockets of properties that are not a part of the municipalities, and it was decided that this will be a consideration of the Comp Plan as well. It was mentioned that this planning vision is also an important consideration of the City Council, and their next strategic plan will address their vision and should be reviewed by the Committee. There was brief discussion about how annexation efforts work for these areas that are surrounded by City properties and for other unincorporated areas.

Mr. Caison suggested preparing several maps with different boundary scenarios for the next meeting so the Committee can then vote on which buffer boundary to work with. It was decided that by that time the City Council Strategic Plan may be completed so that it can be considered in the Comp Plan as well.

There was brief discussion about the need to address the traffic and road issues resulting from the area’s future growth.

Mr. Caison referred to the distributed information regarding the natural resources and encouraged the Committee to be aggressive in working with the area resources. He referred to a list of endangered species, wetlands, and floodplains and explained that maps will be provided that show where these are located within the planning area as well as other natural considerations such as soil conditions and seismic locations. There was brief discussion concerning the Naval Weapons Station in relation to their natural resources as well as their transportation plan, community services, and infrastructure.

Mr. Ben-Yisrael mentioned Medway Plantation and perhaps in the future working in partnership with the owners of the area.

E. Adjournment

Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Arenson seconded. All in favor. The meeting adjourned at or about 6:45.