City of Goose Creek

CITY OF GOOSE CREEK
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, 1997
STATEMENTS OF NEEDS, GOALS, OBJECTIVES,
AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

POPULATION ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

Goose Creek is a city whose population has increased steadily over the years. The Planning Commission, by updating its Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance, has kept up with this increase. The Planning Commission, through public input and recommendations to City Council, strives to meet the continual population increase. It is predicted that the population in the future will increase as it has in the past, and the Planning Commission must anticipate this increase, and provide, through City Council, a cross-section of residences and businesses in order to meet the diverse needs of its population.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City of Goose Creek promotes planned population growth such that the balance between growth, the environment, and the preservation of the small town character is maintained.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Long Range):

Through its Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Commission intends to guide development in accordance with existing and future needs and in order to protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, and general welfare of the City of Goose Creek.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Long Range):

Through accurate planning and development recommendations, the Planning Commission intends to aid the City in its partnership between its people, businesses, and community institutions.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the highest quality of essential services continue to be provided, and that the Mayor and City Council continue to serve as a forum for identifying and addressing the needs of the community. The City should continue to assume a leadership role in determining the future direction of the community. As stated in the City’s five-year planning cycle, the Planning Commission recommends that the Mayor and City Council examine a community strategic planning process so as to better serve the citizens of Goose Creek.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City prepares itself to address a changing population. The growth of the elderly individuals, the single-parent households, and the needs of the minority population are all part of the assets and fabric of our society that need to be accommodated.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to guide the density and distribution of population, prevents the overcrowding of land, avoids undue concentration of population, and facilitates the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community.

OBJECTIVE 7 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to preserve the character of each subdivision, neighborhood, area, district, and its peculiar suitability for a particular use, and with a view to promoting desirable living conditions, and the sustained stability of neighborhoods.

OBJECTIVE 8 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission encourages the most appropriate use of land, buildings, and structures, and to further the public welfare in any other regard as specified by the Mayor and City Council.

OBJECTIVE 9 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City continue to seek an annexation policy that would achieve a cohesive and unified approach toward consolidating the Greater Goose Creek area in order to avoid confusion in the provision of public and emergency services.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

The Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, and the development standards of the City should constantly be kept up-to-date to address current and future needs of the City.
The highest quality of essential services should continued to be provided by the City, in conjunction, and in cooperation with other applicable agencies.
City Council should continue to serve as a forum for identifying and addressing the needs of the community, and assume a leadership role in determining the future direction of the City.
The Mayor and City Council should examine a community strategic planning process so as to better serve the citizens of the City.
The City should be prepared to address a changing population by being well-informed and cognizant of the changes in demographics, and opportunities that may arise to serve the needs of the elderly individuals, the single-parent households, and the minority population.

NATURAL RESOURCES ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

The City of Goose Creek is fortunate to be conveniently located in the Tri-County area for its citizens to have some big-city atmosphere, and yet far enough away to enjoy a small town profile. Because of its geographical location, the City of Goose Creek’s climate is moderately mild which contributes to its wide range and abundance of trees, plant life, and waterways which supports many different varieties of animal life. The Planning Commission, through the endorsement of its citizens, utilizes Goose Creek’s natural resources by creating parks, trails, and recreational facilities, making the City of Goose Creek an enjoyable place to live. The Planning Commission recognizes that the City of Goose Creek will grow, but strongly recommends to City Council that it maintain this balance for all to benefit in the future.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City of Goose Creek protects and preserves significant or natural scenic, historic, architecturally, or ecologically sensitive areas.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as flood plains, and wetlands by encouraging recreational and open space development in such areas in order to protect life, safety, and property values.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Short and Long Range):

The development of the architectural review design standards within the Zoning Ordinance was established to protect and promote the unique, special, and desired character of the commercial and light industrial districts and uses inside the City, in terms of positive visual and aesthetic appearances of these districts and uses including their respective roadways.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to preserve the historically significant areas of the City such as the Crowfield Plantation historic and archaeological sites by preventing encroachment of development into such areas.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to protect and preserve the plant and animal habitats that are unique to the City such as oaks, pines, gums, bays, alligators, red-cockaded woodpeckers, deer, geese, turkeys, and waterfowl by preventing encroachment of development that would threaten such habitats in the City.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City aids in the creation of environmentally suitable development projects through its high quality development standards.

OBJECTIVE 7 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission intends to continue protecting and improving the urban environment by the development of better tree and landscape protection methods throughout the City, and to provide adequate light, air, and open space through its high quality development standards.

OBJECTIVE 8 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City preserve and protect the Goose Creek Reservoir, which is a 600-acre natural drainage basin that serves as drinking water, recreation, bird habitat, survival for fauna and flora, and industrial and agricultural uses. The Planning Commission recommends that the City continue to work in conjunction with other jurisdictions in searching for solutions to resolve excessive plant growth, and to reduce nutrients' run-off into the Reservoir.

OBJECTIVE 9 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City safeguard the physical and environmental resources of the City by acquiring vacant properties and open space for future generations.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

The City should continue to protect environmentally sensitive areas by encouraging recreational and open space development.
The architectural review design standards within the Zoning Ordinance should be well-maintained to protect and promote the unique, special, and desired characters of the commercial and light industrial districts and uses of the City.
The historically significant areas of the City should be preserved by discouraging and preventing encroachment of development into such areas, and by promoting public awareness of the historic assets of the City.
The plant and animal habitats that are unique to the City should be protected and preserved by discouraging and preventing encroachment of development that would threaten such habitats, and to promote public awareness concerning the importance and beauty of such habitats.
High quality development standards should be well-maintained so as to encourage environmentally suitable development projects, and to protect and improve the urban environment.
The Goose Creek Reservoir should be preserved and protected such that a variety of long-term uses of the Reservoir may be available to the general public. The City should continue to work in conjunction with other jurisdictions to search for solutions to resolve excessive plant growth, and to reduce nutrients’ run-off into the Reservoir.
The City should acquire vacant properties and open spaces in order to safeguard the physical and environmental resources of the City for future generations.

LAND USE ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

The Land Use Plan for the City of Goose Creek is a guide and recommendation to City Council from the Planning Commission. It promotes the highest degree of safety and welfare. It insures residential areas are safe and protected from incompatible land uses and substandard development. It also provides adequate and convenient sites for future business and recreational facilities, and improves existing facilities. It provides efficient transportation system for the safe and convenient movement of people, goods, and services, including utilities and municipal services. All of the above not only satisfies the present, but reflects the future needs of the City.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission promotes planned, orderly, and timely land use growth and development throughout the City so that municipal and other levels of services can adequately serve the citizens of the City.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short and Long Range):

Through its high quality development standards, the Planning Commission regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories and sizes of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot which may be occupied, the sizes of yards, courts, and other open spaces, and the uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, agriculture, forestry, conservation, airports, and approaches thereto.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Long Range):

These regulations are made in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, and are designed to lessen congestion in the streets, prevent the overcrowding of land, protect property against blight and depreciation, secure economy in governmental expenditures, conserve the value of land and buildings, and encourage the most appropriate use of land, building, and structures.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission is currently updating the Comprehensive Plan and the development standards so as to protect the character of the City, and to foster a partnership between its people, businesses, community institutions, and its government in the determination of the City’s future.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends the City ensure that future land use patterns provide economic, cultural, recreational, and social activities to all residents, businesses, and organizations through the continue development of planned unit developments, and other innovative and creative types of land uses such as the neo-traditional development concept. The neo-traditional land use design concept was developed and designed by Andre Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and was first implemented in Seaside, Florida. The neo-traditional land use concept is based on the premise that neighborhoods should be pedestrian-friendly and self-sufficient through the mixed development of houses, shops, and recreational facilities including hiker / biker trails. Three (3) basic design concepts of a neo-traditional neighborhood are narrower street widths, building masses, and roadside design.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission promotes efficiency in the use of land since land is a limited commodity, and it must be used in an efficient manner in order to meet the increasing demands placed upon it by urban and suburban growth. The Planning Commission promotes land use patterns that provide the highest degree of health, safety, and welfare for all portions of the City of Goose Creek. Decisions between residential, commercial, light industrial, public, semi-public, and other uses should be made to protect and enhance property values.

OBJECTIVE 7 (Long Range):

The Planning Commission encourages adequate and convenient sites for future business and recreational facilities, and to improve existing facilities. As the City grows additional space will be needed for commercial establishments, light industrial activities, community facilities such as libraries, schools, open-space areas, roads, and recreational facilities. These land uses should be planned, designed, and located to best satisfy the needs of a growing population, and to insure that services can be provided by the most cost-effective method.

OBJECTIVE 8 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission promotes the highest quality development standards so as to prevent incompatible land uses and substandard development, and to assure that residential neighborhoods are accessible to community facilities and services.

OBJECTIVE 9 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends the preservation of the integrity of floodplain and wetland areas through continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, cooperation with other agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency in providing accurate detailed flood studies for affected areas, and redirecting development away from flood prone areas.

OBJECTIVE 10 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission discourages urban or suburban sprawl through encouragement of infill development and redevelopment, and adaptive reuse of properties to avoid waste and the destruction of the environment.

OBJECTIVE 11 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission insures that future development is coordinated with the provision of public facilities and services, and optimizes the use of existing public investment. The Commission encourages development of sites already served by public facilities and discourages premature development in areas beyond available or programmed service capabilities. Any development requiring non-programmed extension of public improvements into an area should be evaluated on the basis of the availability of all necessary public services and the potential impact on services from development in the surrounding areas.

OBJECTIVE 12 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends the protection of natural and man-made land resources through the encouragement of alternative land use patterns such as greenways, hiker / biker trails, landscaped areas, parks and playgrounds, and cultural and sporting activities.

OBJECTIVE 13 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the urban growth boundaries be protected so that no one area is neglected and forms decay. Toward that end, the City’s Redevelopment Plan will address the commercial and light industrial areas of the City so as to stimulate development, redevelopment, and revitalization opportunities. The Planning Commission recommends that other areas that need revitalization be addressed as the needs and opportunities arise.

OBJECTIVE 14 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City continue to provide an efficient transportation system for the safe and convenient movement of people, goods, and services. The selection of trafficway locations is not a random process, but actually is timed very closely to the consideration of a desirable land use pattern. It is vitally important to make the most efficient use of existing transportation systems, and expansions of existing systems to best serve the future needs of the City.

OBJECTIVE 15 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City continue to maintain, promote, and improve economically sound and environmentally aesthetic developments and projects through its high development standards such as landscaping and buffering requirements, recreational set-a-side requirements, open space requirements, the installation of underground utilities, and the establishment of sidewalks and hiker / biker trails.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

Planned, orderly, and timely land use growth and development should be promoted so that municipal and other levels of services can adequately serve the citizens of the City.
The Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance and the development standards of the City should be kept up-to-date so as to protect the character of the City, and to prevent incompatible land uses and substandard developments.
Planned unit developments, cluster developments, neo-traditional developments, and other innovative and creative types of land uses should continue to be implemented and explored so as to provide a diverse type of land use opportunities for the citizens of the City to choose and enjoy.
Since land is a limited commodity, the efficient use of land is paramount to preventing urban and suburban sprawl, and the preservation of the natural environment. Implementation of the Redevelopment Plan, which encourages infill development and redevelopment, protection of the urban growth boundaries, and the adaptive reuse of properties should continue to be encouraged so as to avoid waste and the destruction of the environment, and to prevent any particular area from being neglected and forms decay.
Development of sites already served by public facilities should continue to be encouraged to insure that future development is coordinated with the provision of public facilities and services, and thereby optimizes the use of existing public investment.
Alternative land use patterns such as greenways, hiker / biker trails, landscaped areas, parks and playgrounds, and cultural and sporting activities should continue to be developed so as to promote and protect the natural and man-made land resources of the City.
The high quality development standards of the City such as landscaping and buffering requirements, recreational set-a-side requirements, open space requirements, the installation of underground utilities, and the establishment of sidewalks and hiker / biker trails should continue to be implemented in order to maintain, promote, and improve economically sound and environmentally aesthetic developments within the City.

ECONOMIC ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

The City of Goose Creek strives to diversify its economic base while maintaining a small town atmosphere of the community. With the majority of the citizens of Goose Creek employed by large businesses outside of Berkeley County, it became evident that the need of the City was to develop its own strong economic base. The Mayor and City Council hired an Assistant City Administrator, and formed the Economic Development Advisory Committee whose responsibility was to accomplish this goal. Also, a Redevelopment Plan was established to achieve the goals of diversifying the economy, eliminating blight and promoting occupancy of vacant buildings, developing a civic identity for the commercial and light industrial corridors of the City, and maintaining and improving the quality of life for all of the citizens of Goose Creek. The Planning Commission needs to keep its ordinances up-to-date to keep the land use, beautification, landscaping, and other related activities and services at a level that will help promote this needed economic growth but still maintain that balance between the citizens of Goose Creek that also encourages residential growth.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports City Council’s mission to serve the needs of citizens for a safe, secure and healthy environment, and to facilitate planned and managed growth and economic development.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short Range):

The Planning Commission supports City Council’s goals and objectives to adopt an economic development strategy / plan, and to explore railroad station (intermodal transportation terminal) as a viable economic development strategy / plan.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports City Council’s goals and objectives to develop initiatives to improve the commercial properties of the City. It is one of Planning Commission’s purposes to protect property against blight and depreciation. Strategies include implementation of the City’s newly adopted Appearance Standards, the newly revised Architectural Review Design Standards of the Zoning Ordinance, the City’s Redevelopment Plan, and exploration of funding sources that may achieve this objective.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Short and Long Range):

It is also one of Planning Commission’s purposes to protect the unique, special or desired character of the commercial and light industrial districts and uses of the City, and to preserve and protect historic and architecturally valuable districts and neighborhoods.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends conserving the value of land and buildings as one of its purposes as stated in the Zoning Ordinance. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission recommends the continual upkeep of properties through enforcement of the City’s codes and ordinances (appearance standards, architectural review design standards, building and fire safety codes, development standards, and zoning ordinance), continual administration of development review processes, the encouragement of infill development and redevelopment, and adaptive reuse of properties to avoid waste and the destruction of the environment.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports the mission of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), which is to serve the needs of the existing business community, promote the recruitment of desirable businesses into the City, and to serve as a forum for promoting economic development.

OBJECTIVE 7 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission continues to support the City’s effort in the development of a homepage on the Internet, which makes information available not only to local residents, but to anyone, anywhere looking for the perfect community to live in or to start a business.

OBJECTIVE 8 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends the continual implementation of the City’s Redevelopment Plan, which affects approximately 1,017 acres or 293 parcels of properties inside the City in order to identify and address problems and needed improvements in the City. The goals of the Redevelopment Plan are to diversify the economy, eliminate blight and promote occupancy of vacant buildings, develop a civic identify for the commercial and light industrial corridors of the City, and maintain and improve the quality of life for all of the citizens of Goose Creek.

OBJECTIVE 9 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports the City’s belief that public leadership and investments are needed in order to create an environment conducive to new private investments. By attracting business investments into the City, such investments will create jobs, strengthen and diversify the economy, and provide higher incomes for residents of the City.

OBJECTIVE 10 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports the City’s Redevelopment Plan in identifying three (3) major areas for improvement and redevelopment: the Central Business District (the downtown area), the new Goose Creek Municipal Center site, and the College Park Road area. The new Goose Creek Municipal Center site will be favorable toward conducting business between the City and its citizens and businesses, and it carries the possibility of building other structures on the property for lease to interested entities.

OBJECTIVE 11 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission continues to support the economic development profiles produced by City staff to inventory and keep track of development activities in seven (7) categories: business activities, commercial development activities, construction development activities, light industrial development activities, military development activities, public institution development activities, and religious institution development activities.

OBJECTIVE 12 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports the EDAC’s Business Pages Phone Book which contains all city businesses in an effort to encourage citizens to use local businesses inside the City. Over 450 businesses representing 170 types of businesses are included in the Business Pages Phone Book. This invaluable resource is constantly kept up-to-date with changes in the business community.

OBJECTIVE 13 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission encourages home occupations inside the City. Within certain parameters and regulations, residents of the City may operate their businesses at home in order to avoid rental and other start-up costs until they can expand their businesses and move into the commercial and light industrial districts of the City.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

The economic development / strategy plan should be adopted so as to facilitate planned and managed growth and economic development.
The railroad station (intermodal transportation terminal) should be explored as a viable economic development strategy / plan.
The City’s Redevelopment Plan and the various development review standards of the City should continue to be implemented so as to improve all types of properties in the City, and maintain the economic health and viability of the community.
The City’s Redevelopment Plan should be implemented in order to diversify the economy, eliminate blight and promote occupancy of vacant buildings, develop a civic identity for the commercial and light industrial corridors of the City, and maintain and improve the quality of life for all of the citizens of the City.
Home occupations should continue to be encouraged inside the City in order to avoid rental and other start-up costs for home occupants until they can expand their businesses and move into the commercial and light industrial districts of the City.

HOUSING ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

The number of houses over the past twenty-seven (27) years has increased dramatically. While its true that inflation has increased over the years, the actual value of these homes has increased. As the years went by, Goose Creek became a better place to live. Consequently, higher price houses were built. Today, as in the past, single-family homes are a majority. The Planning Commission, recognizing the desires and needs of its citizens to have better houses and better aesthetics, changed the Zoning Ordinance to meet these needs. City Council adopted these recommendations from the Planning Commission, and also instituted as a minimum standard the Southern Standard Building Codes, ensuring that all of its homes and buildings are built of good quality. The Planning Commission recognizes the need to maintain this standard in the future, and formally requests City Council to take steps to protect these standards.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission, in updating the Comprehensive Plan of the City, proposes protection of the character of each residential area, and with a view to promoting desirable conditions and the sustained stability of neighborhoods, recognizing that the citizens of the City have made lifelong investments toward the residential structures in the City.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission supports City Council’s goals and objectives to develop initiatives to improve the residential properties of the City. It is one of Planning Commission’s purposes to protect property against blight and depreciation. Strategies include implementation of the City’s newly adopted Appearance Standards, development standards of the Zoning Ordinance, adoption of the City’s own Subdivision Regulations, the City’s Redevelopment Plan, and exploration of funding sources that may achieve this objective.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission encourages a variety of housing types and mixed-uses that promote planned growth, convenience to residents, compatible land uses, and accommodating a changing population. Toward this end, the Commission recommends the continuation of planned unit developments, the promotion of neo-traditional developments, and the availability of assisted-type living facilities in order to accommodate an aging population.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends insuring that residential areas are safe and protected from incompatible land uses and substandard development. The Commission recognizes that there are many attractive neighborhoods in the City. It is important to preserve good residential areas, to upgrade those that are declining, to redevelop those in which the prime land uses may have changed, and to provide orderly development for future residential areas. The Commission recommends the implementation of the City’s Appearance Standards, inventorying the existing conditions of the housing stock in the various areas within city limits, and the exploration of funding sources that may achieve this objective.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that all multi-family units should be located adjacent to a collector or arterial street where feasible, and that all new multi-family units should be developed within easy access of commercial and / or service facilities.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that all residential development should be subject to standards that ensure the construction of decent, safe, and sanitary housing units (Southern Standard Building and Fire Safety Codes.) Demographic or economic variables associated with potential occupants of housing developments should never warrant deviations from these standards.

OBJECTIVE 7 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City continue with the provision of a variety of land use classifications, density of dwelling units, and the promotion of planned unit developments in order to encourage infill development and discourage urban sprawl.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

The Comprehensive Plan should constantly be updated in order to protect the character of each residential area from incompatible land uses.
Initiatives should be developed to improve the residential properties of the City. The newly adopted Appearance Standards (Chapter 11 of the City’s Code of Ordinances), and the Redevelopment Plan should be implemented, an inventory of the existing conditions of the housing stock should eventually be conducted, and funding sources should be explored to achieve this objective.
A variety of housing types and mixed-uses should continue to be explored and developed in order to promote planned growth, convenience to residents, compatible land uses, and accommodating a changing population.
The citizens of the City should be informed of the construction of decent, safe, and sanitary housing units, as well as, the importance of the appearances of their properties.
Infill developments and redevelopments should continue to be promoted in order to discourage urban and suburban sprawl.
The City should continue with the provision of a variety of land use classifications, density of dwelling units, and the promotion of planned unit developments in order to further discourage urban and suburban sprawl.

CULTURAL RESOURCES ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS:

Some of the properties in and around the City of Goose Creek can be traced back as far as 1670, with some 1,800 acres being donated by the King of England and turned into a plantation. Today, these same 1,800 acres and 1,050 acres more are called Crowfield Plantation, and have been split up into residential subdivisions, each reflecting its own style and architecture. Also included in this plantation is some commercial and light industrial tracts all being part of a planned unit development.

The City of Goose Creek today consists of numerous other subdivisions in different areas of the City, with some being old and others fairly new in comparison. The history of Goose Creek can be found in a book sold at City Hall entitled, History of Goose Creek, South Carolina, 1670-1980.

Each year, since this book was printed, the residents of Goose Creek have received a Report to the People with all citizens advisors, boards and commission members receiving a copy each. As months go by, the Mayor and City Council have monthly meetings, conducting business, creating more history and continuing to keep the public informed on the City’s seven (7) public schools, eighteen (18) churches, numerous recreational facilities, natural environments, and many annual festivals and events throughout the year.

The Planning Commission recommends City Council continue to acknowledge the City’s cultural history, and continue to create new cultural resources.

One such environmental and cultural resource the Planning Commission recommends is the planting of a live, large Christmas tree to compliment the natural landscaping already present at the intersection of S. Goose Creek (Highway 52), and St. James Avenue (Highway 176.)

The Planning Commission needs to keep its Zoning Ordinance up-to-date to encourage good cultural activities within the City.

OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

OBJECTIVE 1 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the various publications that the City of Goose Creek develop every year to inform citizens of the accomplishments of the City continue to be created. Such publications include Report to the People, Quarterly Review in the Goose Creek Gazette, Annual Report, Monthly City Council Meeting Agenda, the Citizens Handbook, and the Business Pages Phone Book.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recognizes the importance of having seven (7) schools within city limits (three (3) elementary schools, three (3) middle schools, and one (1) high school.) The Planning Commission also recognizes the cultural and ethnic diversity of the minority student population which comprised twenty-five (25) percent of the total student population as of January, 1996. The Planning Commission recommends that as part of the preparation for addressing a changing population, the needs of the minority population be kept in mind and focused when the opportunity arises.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recognizes the religious opportunities that the City of Goose Creek afford its citizens as evidenced by eighteen (18) churches of all denominations located inside city limits. The Planning Commission recommends that the religious institutions within the City be recognized as part of the heritage, culture, and history of the City, as well as, its citizens.

OBJECTIVE 4 (Short and Long Range)

The Planning Commission recognizes that the City has been incorporated for thirty-six (36) years, older than some of the young adults who work, live, or play in the City. The Planning Commission recommends that the historic and cultural aspects of the City, whether they be publications, agencies providing essential services, or developments such as Crowfield Plantation be preserved, promoted, and protected. The everyday lives of the citizens of the City of Goose Creek are the best witnesses of the historic and cultural identities that make this City a beacon for its citizens.

OBJECTIVE 5 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the recreational opportunities and the built and natural environments of the City of Goose Creek be preserved and expanded to accommodate planned, orderly, and harmonious growth of the City.

OBJECTIVE 6 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the various community functions and activities of the City be preserved, promoted, and expanded.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

In order to keep citizens well-informed of the accomplishments of the City of Goose Creek, and create a data base for historical and cultural purposes, the Planning Commission recommends that the Report to the People, Quarterly Review, Annual Report, Monthly City Council Meeting Agenda, the Citizens Handbook, and the Business Pages Phone Book continue to be created and kept-up-to-date.
The entire student population, including the minority student population should be kept in mind as City Council prepares itself to address a changing population in the future. Members of the Student Councils of each of the seven (7) schools within city limits could be included as part of the brainstorming sessions when this subject matter is being considered.
The religious institutions within the city limits of the City of Goose Creek could be included in the community strategic planning process that City Council may examine in the next five (5) years.
The historic and cultural aspects of the City could be further promoted as planned unit developments such as Crowfield Plantation, and other development ideas that incorporate such aspects are encouraged.
The recreational opportunities of the built and natural environments within the City of Goose Creek such as parks and playgrounds, hiker / biker trails, preserved natural areas, wetlands, tupelo gum and cypress preserves, golf-course and clubhouse, lakes, manmade island, landscaping, and the planting of trees should be preserved, protected, and further developed when the opportunities arise.
The various community events, functions, and activities, such as the Celebrate Goose Creek Festival, the Fabulous Fourth of July Festival, the Stone soup Kitchen, the Halloween Festival, the Water for the People, the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, and the many opportunities the Goose Creek Fire and Police Departments put forth for community participation should be continued. Any other programs that promote the cultural diversity of the City should continue to be explored and encouraged.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES ELEMENT

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND GOALS

The citizens of Goose Creek are blessed with the number and quality of services and facilities provided:

The Goose Creek branch of the Berkeley County Library provides excellent library facilities.
Berkeley County Water and Sanitation Authority provides sewage and wastewater treatment services.
The Department of Public Works of the City provides the water for most of the people of the Goose Creek area and collects City garbage and solid waste trash to be properly disposed of at the Berkeley County Landfill.
Goose Creek’s City Administrator and staff provide various services including fire protection, police protection, municipal court, planning, and emergency medical services.
The Goose Creek Recreation Commission provides recreation facilities and programs of all types for all ages.
Goose Creek provides recycling facilities for those who wish to participate.

The Planning Commission recommends that City Council continue these services and facilities, and also pursue its goals of taking over the water system now provided by Charleston Commissioners of Public Works in the Goose Creek area and building a new water tower.

The Planning Commission, as it looks toward the future, needs to keep its ordinances up-to-date, and in a manner that will help City Council provide the best facilities in the best interest of its citizens.

OBJECTIVE 1 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City, as part of the purpose of the Zoning Ordinance, guide development in accordance with existing and future needs, and regulate water supply, sanitation, protection against flood, public activities, and other purposes.

OBJECTIVE 2 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City, as in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, secure safety from fire, flood, panic, and other dangers.

OBJECTIVE 3 (Short and Long Range):

The Planning Commission recommends that the City, as in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, police and fire protection, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other recreational facilities, affordable housing, and disaster evacuation.

In order to achieve the above-stated needs, goals, and objectives, the Planning Commission recommends the following implementation strategies:

The Planning Commission supports the Master Plan update completed by the Berkeley County Water and Sanitation Authority for the years 1992-2012. The Planning Commission encourages that the Plan for the Goose Creek area, which is part of the Lower Berkeley Wastewater Facilities Plan be kept up-to-date, and implemented when feasible.
The Planning Commission supports the Berkeley County and Dorchester County Solid Waste Management Plan for the years 1993-2013. The Planning Commission encourages that the Plan be kept up-to-date, and implemented so that the participating areas comply with the South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991. The Planning Commission also recommends that the Recycling Centers at Westview Middle School and the Goose Creek Public Works Complex be continued, and expanded to other areas of the City when feasible and applicable.
The Planning Commission supports all of the efforts, activities, and educational opportunities provided by the Berkeley County Library System - the Goose Creek Branch, as part of the educational, cultural, and historical heritage of the City. The Planning Commission recommends that all of their services and programs continue to be implemented, and expanded as the needs arise.
The Planning Commission supports the 2001 Master Plan developed by the Goose Creek Recreation Commission in 1992. The Planning Commission recommends that the Plan be kept up-to-date, and the goals of the Plan be implemented. The Planning Commission recognizes that all of the programs, activities, and efforts of the Goose Creek Recreation Program are also part of the educational, cultural, and recreational heritage of the City and its adjacent areas served by the Goose Creek Recreation Commission. The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to explore methods to assist the Goose Creek Recreation Commission in pursuing recreational / cultural opportunities for citizens of all age groups.
The Planning Commission supports all of the goals and objective, as well as, services provided by the City’s Administration Department - personnel, finance, municipal court, and planning. The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to provide additional space via the Goose Creek Municipal Complex. The Planning Commission also supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to improve municipal personnel policies for employee benefits.
The Planning Commission supports all of the goals and objectives, as well as, services provided by the City’s Public Works Department - administrative division, water division, drainage, maintenance, sanitation and code enforcement division, garage division, and engineering division. The Planning Commission encourages City Council’s one (1) and five (5) year plans to expand the Water System Master Plan, and explore acquisition of Crowfield Plantation’s water system. The Planning Commission strongly supports the efforts of City Administration and the Public Works Department in developing a second water tower on the northern limits of the City in order to accommodate economic and population growth, and for fire-fighting capabilities. The Planning Commission recommends that the Water for the People Program continue to be implemented as part of the cultural and historical heritage of the City.
The Planning Commission supports all of the goals and objectives, as well as, services delivered by the City’s Fire Department - personnel, emergency medical services, inspection bureau, fire prevention and public education, and personnel training. The Planning Commission encourages City Council’s one (1) and five (5) year plan to provide additional space by initiating design of the Fire Department Substation at Crowfield Plantation.
The Planning Commission supports all of the goals and objectives, as well as, services provided by the Goose Creek Police Department - personnel, uniformed patrol and traffic, crime and investigations, police reserve programs, animal control, and training / crime prevention. The Planning Commission encourages the continual implementation of the numerous programs offered by the Police Department - neighborhood crime watch program, operation I.D., computerized telephone system, child I.D. program, house watch - "signal 20", youth crime watch, police cadets, crime prevention puppet program, business watch, safe Halloween festival project, bicycle registration program, red ribbon month, 3-D (drunk, and / or drugged driving) awareness month, bike patrol (uniformed patrol and traffic division), OPSTEP (occupant protection selective traffic enforcement program), welcome packages to new residents, D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education), school lunch program, officer friendly program, field training education program, officer friendly program, field training education program, the Criminal Justice Academy, lap top computers, records management, mobile data terminals, positron lifeline 100 system, computer-aided dispatch system (CAD), proposed national accreditation and latch key program, and any other future programs. The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) and five (5) year plan to provide additional space to the Police Department via the Goose Creek Municipal Complex.
The Planning Commission supports the expansion of educational facilities such as the proposed Stratford High School expansion which will provide extra space for classrooms, administration and band room, and additional parking spaces.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to develop a transportation plan which will include developing a hiker / biker trail system that will provide a secondary transportation route for the City, a Road Transportation Plan, and a Mass Transportation Plan.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) year plan to develop a hiker / biker trail system which will build trails in five (5) areas: the Pineview / Camelot / Fairfax areas; the Woodland Lakes / Colonial Heights / Braemoor areas; the Old Moncks Corner Road area; the Fairfax / Plantation North area, and the West Greenview / Greenview Acres areas.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) year plan to complete a Road Transportation Plan for the City. The City has seen the successes of the widening of Highway 176 and Red Bank Road, and the road and drainage improvements on Highway 52 North. The Planning Commission supports the next phase of highway widening which will be Highway 52 South, and other highway widening plans including the widening of College Park Road from the intersection of I-26 to Crowfield Boulevard, widening Crowfield Boulevard from the intersection of Cherry Hill Avenue to the intersection of Hamlet Circle, and the widening of North Rhett Avenue from the intersection of Red Bank Road to the intersection of Liberty Hall Road, and extend North Rhett Avenue to Montague Plantation Boulevard.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) year plan to beautify and protect the environment through the continuation of Highway 52 / railroad beautification project, the planting of street trees according to master tree plans for Highway 52 and Highway 176, the adoption of a tree protection ordinance, and the completion of a plan to install electrical and communication lines underground.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) and twenty (20) year plan to develop improved drainage standards and improve the drainage conditions in the City by adopting engineering standards for retention basins, and preferred standards and improvement plans for drainage ditches.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s one (1) year plan to develop more efficient communication methods by being connected to the Internet.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year goal to plan for curb and guttering in seven (7) areas of the City: Pineview Subdivision, Greenview Acres, West Greenview Acres, Boulder Bluff, Bushy Park Terrace, Camelot Subdivision, and the commercial areas.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to develop more efficient communication methods for audio / visual presentation, and develop an automated business directory.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s five (5) year plan to develop agendas to interact with other government units by sending clear messages to State and County governments, and by encouraging the Goose Creek Recreation Commission to plan for cultural activities and programs for the Greater Goose Creek area.
The Planning Commission supports City Council’s twenty (20) year plan to investigate expanding and enhancing the communications systems and processes between the City and its citizens.

As stated in the Goals and Objectives of the City, "without a clear direction it is difficult, at best, to provide the essential public services and guidance for a growing, maturing community. To this end the Mayor, City Council and staff have actively engaged in a strategic planning process for the past four (4) years. The strategic planning process is conducted over a two (2) day period where departmental briefings are presented, key community issues are identified and explored, and goals and objectives are established." The Planning Commission supports all of the goals and objectives established by City Council, as Commission members were invited to be part of the strategic planning process.