JANUARY 19, 2010 MINUTES

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

CITY OF GOOSE CREEK MUNICIPAL CENTER

519 NORTH GOOSE CREEK BLVD. GOOSE CREEK SC

 

 

A.      Attendance:

 

Committee Members Present:  Joel Arenson, Jerry Glass, Nancy Hellstrom, Gayla McSwain, Doug Quinn, Jeffrey Smith, Jerry Tekac, Tom Volkmar, Allen Wall

Committee Members Absent:  Rick Buckner, Paul Connerty, Barry Washington

BCD COG Staff Present:  Jessica Gillis

City Staff Present:  Daniel Ben-Yisrael and Sarah Hanson

 

Mr. Wall called the meeting to order.  He noted there had been changes to the agenda due to having only one hour available for the meeting, as well as the need to review the Strategic Plan recently approved by the Goose Creek City Council.

 

There were no minutes from the November 16, 2009 meeting due to the failure of the recording device.

 

B.      Committee Discussion – City Council Strategic Plan

 

Ms. Gillis suggested to the Committee that it is important to review the Strategic Plan created and approved by the City Council to be able to determine how the two work together and what the Committee needs to incorporate into the Comprehensive Plan.    There was discussion about insuring the input received in the visioning workshops is captured by the Comprehensive Plan rather than relying solely on Council’s Strategic Plan.

 

There was discussion about the reference to “small town character” within the Vision Statement and the input on that same topic from the previous community visioning workshops.  There was discussion about the Comprehensive Plan providing methods to preserve the small town character that is referred to as a part of the City’s Vision Statement.  It was noted that having small town character can be different than just being a small town. 

 

It was questioned whether the new Comprehensive Plan would actually be used as it is intended or whether it would be shelved and unused for future planning.  Ms. Gillis explained that the new Plan should be used as a working guide for overall planning and visioning rather than as a parcel by parcel guide.  It was suggested that there should be periodic review and monitoring to insure the Plan is understood and being implemented. 

 

The Committee briefly reviewed each goal and objective listed on the Strategic Plan and designated the individual Comprehensive Plan Element where the goal/objective would be integrated.

 

It was remarked that the Communication Objectives should be made a part of the Comprehensive Plan as well.  The Committee briefly discussed the goal regarding efficient communications, both with the citizens and with other governmental agencies and representatives. 

 

There was brief discussion about coordinating the annexation objectives of the Strategic Plan with the planning area designated for land use planning within the Comprehensive Plan.

 

The Committee asked for clarification of Exploring Opportunities to Redevelop Houses as stated in the Strategic Plan.  City Council has discussed the possibility of over time purchasing parcels in the City which are in need of repair or are in an area that has been identified as in need of renovation so as to upgrade the existing property(ies).  It was explained that this was just in the conceptual phase.

 

Mr. Arenson asked about whether the Comprehensive Plan needs to address an Emergency Preparedness Plan.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated there is such a plan in effect for the City as devised by Staff, and Ms. Gillis explained that other agencies have prepared cooperative plans for natural disasters as well.

 

C.      Adjournment

 

Ms. Hellstrom made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Glass seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at or about 6:27 p.m.