Strategic Plan

Beaufort County, SC, 2010 Comprehensive Plan

Analysis

Direction

Vision

Safe and healthy communities that preserve and build on the County’s unique sense of place and sustainable economic opportunities that allow all County residents to thrive and prosper.

Mission

The purpose of the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan is to enable government officials and citizens to effectively manage natural, cultural, economic and fiscal resources in light of growth, change and an uncertain future.

Values

unnamed value

Goals

Implementation Tool

Goal Statement: Use the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Element as an Implementation Tool

This comprehensive plan and the future land use element were created to serve as a guide for future growth and development. As such, the comprehensive plan and this future land use element should be used as a strategy to implement the recommendations of the regional plans and other county planning efforts.

Objectives:

• Decision-Making Tool
• Framework
• ZDSO

Regional Plans

Goal Statement: Implement the Northern and Southern Beaufort County Regional Plans

Beaufort County has adopted both the Northern and Southern Beaufort County Regional Plans and will strive to implement the plans as outlined in each individual plan. This effort will involve county actions as described below and as detailed further in each of the individual plans.

Objectives:

• Intergovernmental Agreements
• Technical Advisory Group and Working Groups
• Assistance

Rural Policy Assessment

Goal Statement: Adopt and Implement the Recommendations of the Rural Policy Assessment.

Once the county completes the rural policy assessment process that is currently underway, the county should review the recommendations and consider for adoption. Upon adoption, this plan, the ZDSO, and other county plans should be amended to incorporate the recommendations.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Land Use Regulations

Goal Statement: Update the County Land Use Regulations.

Beaufort County will update the county’s zoning and development standards ordinance to incorporate the related recommendations of the regional plans and to facilitate the Future Land Use element of this comprehensive plan. In particular, the county will consider incorporating the following recommendations:

Objectives:

• Mixed-Use Developments
• Development Proposals and Annexations
• Development Guidelines

Policies

Goal Statement: Continue to Utilize and Expand Existing Tools to Further the Policies of the Comprehensive Plan.

This plan identifies some of the major tools, beyond zoning, that the county already uses in order achieve the goals established as part of this plan. The county should continued to utilize these tools, identified in Planning Framework section, with the following recommendations:

Objectives:

• Rural and Critical Land Preservation
• TDR Program Expansion
• TDR Program Recommendations
• Conservation Easements

Development Agreements

Goal Statement: Utilize Development Agreements to Accomplish Goals of this Plan and the Regional Plans.

The county should utilize development agreements, where feasible, to accomplish the goals set forth in this plan and the regional plans. These agreements can be utilized to implement a number of the recommendations including coordinating development in the growth areas and protecting the rural character of the county. Any development agreement must be consistent with the comprehensive plan and land use regulations that will be implemented following plan adoption. Development agreements are discouraged in areas where development impacts may affect the provision of essential services and available infrastructure. The process by which the agreement is negotiated must be a public process to ensure that potentially affected citizens are notified and aware of any potential impacts.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Baseline Standards

Goal Statement: Establish and Adopt Baseline Standards for PUDs and Development Agreements

The county will work with the municipalities to establish and adopt uniform baseline standards for Planned Unit Development (PUDs) and development agreements. For PUDs, the standards should address the following issues, at a minimum: * Open Space; * Environmental Protection; * Traffic Mitigation; * Connectivity; and * Access Management. For development agreements as described in the previous recommendation, the following minimum regulations and recommendations should apply:

Objectives:

• Inaccurate Information
• Baseline Indicators
• Uniform Baseline Standards
• Subsequently Adopted Laws
• Re-Opening of Agreements

Community Preservation Plans

Goal Statement: Continue to Develop and Update Community Preservation Plans.

Since the adoption of the 1997 plan, the county has embarked on detailed planning efforts for several community preservation areas. Due to the unique qualities of these areas, it is important for the county to continue these planning efforts to address other community preservation areas. In particular, this plan recommends the following actions:

Objectives:

• May River (Bluffton) Community Preservation Plan
• Pritchardville Community Preservation Plan
• Daufuskie Community Preservation Plan
• Sheldon Community Preservation Plan
• Additional Community Preservation Areas

Infill Development and Redevelopment

Goal Statement: Promote Appropriate Infill Development and Redevelopment in Accordance with this Plan.

Many small commercial parcels located in the unincorporated areas of Beaufort County, along the edges of the municipalities, are in need of redevelopment. There is also a need to encourage infill development rather than continued sprawling development or “leapfrog” developments. Currently, redevelopment and infill development are addressed by requiring higher standards for architecture, landscaping, and site design for new projects. This existing policy does not take into account the large number of small properties are often overlooked for investment in favor of developing on greenfields due to the size of the property and the difficulty and expense of complying with the zoning regulations. The county encourages infill development and redevelopment as an alternative to new development, particularly in areas where public facilities are readily available. This plan recognizes the following definitions of infill development and redevelopment as it relates to future land use. Furthermore, any implementation strategy that addresses issues related to infill (e.g., land use regulations) should incorporate appropriate infill regulations pursuant to these definitions. * Small Tract Infill Development is related to undeveloped individual lots within existing residential subdivisions and commercial strips. Development on these sites is generally targeted toward the construction of single-family homes, duplexes, small apartment buildings, or small commercial buildings on single vacant urban lots without the need for further land subdivision. * Large Tract Infill Development (leapfrogged parcels) is related to larger undeveloped residential or commercial parcels that are 10 acres in size or greater. These lots are typically found in urbanized areas with a concentration of undeveloped or underdeveloped lots that have been passed over in favor of larger parcels further from the urban centers (e.g. Burton, Shell Point).The development of these sites could require further subdivision of the land. * Small Scale Redevelopment occurs when a large single-family lot in an urban or suburban neighborhood is subdivided into smaller lots for further single-family residential development or is redeveloped as multi-family housing. Small-scale redevelopment may also refer to the redevelopment of small, underutilized commercial lots in urban or suburban commercial areas. * Large-Scale Redevelopment refers to the redevelopment of a larger scale that requires the assembly of several parcels, removal of the older structures, and the construction of more intense residential or commercial development. In addition to incorporating the above definitions into other planning efforts, the following are targeted recommendations related to infill development and redevelopment.

Objectives:

• Geographic Information System
• Incentives
• Stormwater Management
• Design Standards

Demographic Models and Growth Tracking

Goal Statement: Develop Regional Demographic Models and a Regional Growth Tracking System.

Beaufort County will work cooperatively with the municipalities to develop a regional demographic and land use model of existing and forecasted population, including permanent and seasonal population. This model should be maintained through a multi-jurisdictional effort. At a minimum, the system should consist of existing and forecasted seasonal and permanent population data; a consistent classification system for existing and future land use; and a regional land use model that monitors remaining growth capacity and assesses the impacts of land use decisions on the region. In addition to the regional demographic model, the county will work with the municipalities to create and maintain an improved regional growth tracking system, including a land demand and land use forecasting model integrated with other regional models (such as the transportation model) that can be used by all entities for planning purposes. This recommendation would mirror the recommendation in the regional planning efforts and would involve the creation of a regional database and model that would likely build on the existing traffic model and its traffic analysis zones, but it could be expanded for use in a wide range of planning efforts by local and regional agencies.

Objectives:

• Certificates of Occupancy
• LDO Development Counts
• Growth Report

Corridor Planning and Review

Goal Statement: Establish Joint Corridor Planning Efforts and Joint Corridor Review Boards.

Beaufort County will work with the municipalities to establish coordinated review, administration, and enforcement of development to maintain the views and images of the low country created along designated regional scenic corridors. For areas of the county where there is an opportunity for joint corridor overlay districts (e.g., U.S. 278, SC 170, SC 46, Buckwalter Parkway, and Burnt Church Road in southern Beaufort County), the county will work with the municipalities, by intergovernmental agreement, to create a Joint Corridor Overlay District between the county and related municipality to consolidate administration and enforcement responsibilities. Important elements of this recommendation include:

Objectives:

• Road Type Distinctions
• Additional Standards
• Uniform Standards

Area Plans

Goal Statement: Develop Detailed Area Plans.

Jointly prepare a detailed land use plan for the uncommitted lands in southern Beaufort County, and potential redevelopment areas where densities could be increased. The joint land use plan should address the following elements at a minimum: * The residential density and land uses of the uncommitted lands; * Lands with infill potential; * Lands where mixed use development should be encouraged; * Public facilities and services for the planning area; * A plan for the Bluffton Community Preservation District; * The future growth boundaries of Bluffton and Hardeeville; and * Recommendations on how the coordinated land use policy will be implemented through a seamless set of zone districts and development standards between the County, Bluffton, and neighboring jurisdictions (as appropriate). Until the joint land use plan is completed, the county and the Town of Bluffton should adopt an interim policy that states annexations and rezonings within the study area shall conform to the Future Land Use element of this comprehensive plan.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Regional Planning

Goal Statement: Formalize Regional Planning Efforts with Neighboring Counties and Municipalities.

Formalize regional planning cooperation and collaboration between Beaufort County, Jasper County, and the City of Hardeeville to plan on a wider regional basis. As part of this recommendation, the county incorporates the following recommendations from the Southern Beaufort County Regional Plan: * The county will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jasper County and the City of Hardeeville to identify a common geographic area of interest, issues of common concern, and commitment to provide staff support to address common issues related to future land use, public facilities (especially transportation and the new port), and natural assets and environmental protection. * Staff representatives from Jasper County and Hardeeville will be invited to participate as members of the southern Beaufort County working groups, on a permanent basis. The County should also expand these cooperative planning efforts to other neighboring counties and municipalities such as the Town of Ridgeland and Hampton County. * County working groups, on a permanent basis.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Annual Monitoring

Goal Statement: Monitor progress of the implementation of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan.

Beaufort County should commit to a process of annual monitoring to chart the progress of the implementation of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan. The monitoring process should focus on those issues that would benefit from annual reporting as determined by the Planning Commission. Beaufort County should coordinate this process with the municipalities.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Rural Small Lot Subdivision

Goal Statement: Modify the ZDSO to allow for small lot rural subdivisions:

Beaufort County should modify the ZDSO to allow for small lot rural subdivisions: * For areas north of the Whale Branch River and on St. Helena Island, allow parcels of record in rural zones to have three by-right subdivided lots, after which the base underlying zoning density would apply. * For areas on Port Royal Island outside of the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ), allow parcels of record in rural zones to have two by-right subdivided lots, after which the base underlying zoning density would apply. * Provide for a minimum lot size of one acre for such by-right subdivided lots. * In connection with this recommendation, rezone land currently zoned Rural Residential to the Rural zoning designation. * This policy should not apply to rural and rural residential properties located south of the Broad River, on Lady’s Island, on Coosaw Island, and within the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ).

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Rural Conservation Subdivisions

Goal Statement: Modify our rural cluster subdivision and planned community provisions to allow for traditional rural uses.

Beaufort County should modify its rural cluster subdivision and planned community provisions to allow for traditional rural uses such as agriculture and forestry on set-aside open space.

Objectives:

• Conservation Easements
• Clustering

Small Rural Businesses

Goal Statement: Provide more flexibility and overcome obstacles to the establishment of compatible rural businesses.

Beaufort County should evaluate its ZDSO to provide more flexibility and overcome obstacles to the establishment of compatible rural businesses.

Objectives:

• Rural Business District
• Performance Standards

Small Landowner Liaison

Goal Statement: Provide education and assistance to small rural landowners on development options available in rural areas.

Beaufort County should provide education and assistance to small rural landowners on development options available in rural areas.

Objectives:

• Brochures, Workshops, and Outreach
• County Staff Liaison

Cooperative Planning

Goal Statement: Cooperative Planning with Municipalities and Neighboring Counties

Beaufort County should continually work with its municipalities and neighboring counties to develop baseline standards and plan cooperatively to optimize the protection of natural resources at a regional level.

Objectives:

• Baseline Standards
• Water Quality
• Natural Resource Planning
• Open Space

Educational Outreach

Goal Statement: Develop education programs informing local residents, builders, developers and realtors about the value of water quality and the region’s key natural resources, and of County regulations that are designed to protect these resources.

Beaufort County should work to develop education programs aimed at informing local residents, builders, developers and realtors about the value of water quality and the region’s key natural resources, and of County regulations that are designed to protect these resources.

Objectives:

• Program Coordination
• Staff and Funding

Enforcement

Goal Statement: Dedicate additional staff resources to the enforcement of County regulations designed to protect water quality and protect natural resources.

Beaufort County should dedicate additional staff resources to the enforcement of County regulations designed to protect water quality and protect natural resources.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

SAMP

Goal Statement: Implement the SAMP.

Beaufort County should address the remaining recommendations from the Beaufort SAMP.

Objectives:

• On Site Disposal System (OSDS) Program
• River Quality Overlay District (RQOD)
• Coordination of Water Quality Data Collection

Open Space Preservation

Goal Statement: Continue to emphasize protection of public and private open space.

Beaufort County should cooperate and continue to emphasize protection of public and private open space.

Objectives:

• Rural and Critical Lands
• Site Acquisitions
• Funding

Soils

Goal Statement: Take greater consideration of soil types in future land use planning, site plan review and locating future infrastructure projects and County facilities.

Beaufort County should take greater consideration of soil types in future land use planning, site plan review and locating future infrastructure projects and County facilities.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

New Approaches to Stormwater Management

Goal Statement: Explore, develop and promote new approaches to stormwater management.

Beaufort County should utilize the Stormwater Management Utility Board to explore, develop and promote new approaches to stormwater management.

Objectives:

• Collective Impacts
• Flood Insurance Rates
• Soil Types
• Stormwater Management
• Nitrogen Pollution
• Stormwater BMP Manual

Stormwater Utility

Goal Statement: Continue to implement the Stormwater Utility with a priority placed on retrofitting stormwater in older moderate and high density developments that predate the adoption of stormwater standards in Beaufort County.

Beaufort County should continue to implement the Stormwater Utility with a priority placed on retrofitting stormwater in older moderate and high density developments that predate the adoption of stormwater standards in Beaufort County.

Objectives:

• Capital Improvements Plan
• Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program

Water Quality Monitoring

Goal Statement: Centralize and standardize the collection and analysis of water quality data.

Beaufort County should work toward centralizing and standardizing the collection and analysis of water quality data.

Objectives:

• Sub-Watershed Standards
• BMP Manual

Other Water Quality Measures

Goal Statement: Pursue additional measures aimed at improving water quality.

Beaufort County should pursue additional measures aimed at improving water quality.

Objectives:

• Toxic Items
• Small Marsh Islands

Tree Protection Standards

Goal Statement: Maintain good standards both to protect mature and specimen trees and to plant new trees when property is developed or redeveloped.

Beaufort County should maintain good standards both to protect mature and specimen trees and to plant new trees when property is developed or redeveloped.

Objectives:

• Root Zones and Canopies
• Mature and Specimen Trees

Tree Management Plan

Beaufort County should require new developments and encourage existing developments to adopt a tree management plan.

Objectives:

• Parks and Preserved Lands
• Thinning and Planting
• Common Areas

Trees - Educational Outreach

Goal Statement: Build on our current partnership with Clemson University Extension Service to promote the value of tree protection and proper tree care.

Beaufort County should build on its current partnership with Clemson University Extension Service to promote the value of tree protection and proper tree care.

Objectives:

• Information
• Tree Maintenance
• Specimen Trees

Wildlife and Habitat Protection Standards

Goal Statement: Develop standards aimed at protecting wildlife and local wildlife habitat.

Beaufort County should develop standards aimed at protecting wildlife and local wildlife habitat.

Objectives:

• Road Construction Techniques
• Species of Special Concern
• Mitigation Standards
• New Development

Wildlife and Habitat Educational Outreach

Goal Statement: Encourage property owners to landscape their properties to be more wildlife friendly.

Beaufort County should encourage property owners to landscape their properties to be more wildlife friendly.

Objectives:

• Native Vegetation
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Beaches and Dunes

Goal Statement: Recognize that our beaches and dunes are both an important public resource and are valuable as a natural storm barrier protecting life and property for those living along the coast.

Beaufort County should recognize that its beaches and dunes are both an important public resource and are valuable as a natural storm barrier protecting life and property for those living along the coast. The following policy components are recommended:

Objectives:

• Public Access
• Vegetated Buffer
• Sand Fencing
• Dune Plants
• Structures
• Sea Turtles
• Beachfront Developments and Redevelopments
• Storm and Pool Water

Network of Open Spaces

Goal Statement: Work toward a network of open spaces that protects critical habitats and provides wildlife corridors.

Beaufort County should work toward a network of open spaces that protects critical habitats and provides wildlife corridors.

Objectives:

• Open Space
• Land Bank
• Land Preservatin and Greenprint Map
• Habitat Identification

Freshwater Wetlands

Goal Statement: Acknowledge the importance of freshwater wetlands as natural assets worthy of protection because of their vital role as natural stormwater drainage systems and as habitats for plants and animals.

Beaufort County should continue to acknowledge the importance of freshwater wetlands as natural assets worthy of protection because of their vital role as natural stormwater drainage systems and as habitats for plants and animals.

Objectives:

• Zero Loss Policy
• Permanent Protection
• On Site Mitigation
• Upland Buffers
• Stormwater Management
• Minimization and Mitigation
• Incentives
• Rookery Habitat

Groundwater

Goal Statement: Protect Groundwater Quality.

Preserve groundwater quality by reducing and eliminating heavy usage of groundwater resources in the county.

Objectives:

• Residential Landscaping
• Geothermal HVAC Systems
• Low Impact Development
• Treated Effluent
• New Developments

Climate Change and Rising Sea-Level

Goal Statement: Anticipate and plan for the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

Beaufort County should anticipate and plan for the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

Objectives:

• Plan
• Flood Maps
• Inlet and Ocean Levels
• Disclosure
• Innundation Mapping
• Anticipation

Archaeological and Historic Resources

Goal Statement: Continue to emphasize the protection of historic and archaeological resources through a combination of planning, data gathering, land use regulations, and land acquisition.

Beaufort County should continue to emphasize the protection of historic and archaeological resources through a combination of planning, data gathering, land use regulations, and land acquisition. The following strategies are offered to implement this recommendation:

Objectives:

• Above Ground Historic Resources Survey
• Development Plans
• State and Federal Permits
• Acquisition

Archaeological and Historic Resources – Public Outreach

Goal Statement: Increase public awareness for local archaeological and historic resources.

Beaufort County should work to increase public awareness for local archaeological and historic resources by making presentations to local organizations, civic clubs, and schools; utilizing space in county buildings to exhibit archaeological and historic displays; and utilizing the County’s web site to promote local archaeological and historic resources for educational and outreach purposes.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Rural Vernacular Architecture

Goal Statement: Target the preservation of historic rural vernacular architecture.

Beaufort County should target the preservation of historic rural vernacular architecture by pursuing grants, such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds, to rehabilitate older residential structures.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Scenic Highways and Byways

Goal Statement: Preserve and enhance the scenic qualities of its highways and byways.

Beaufort County should preserve and enhance the scenic qualities of its highways and byways by pursuing the following strategies:

Objectives:

• Overlay Standards and Reviews
• Management Plan
• May River Road
• Local Scenic Highway Designation
• Canopy Road Inventory
• Public Awareness and Outreach
• Scenic Byway Designations
• Overlay District Standards

Maritime Heritage – Working Waterfronts

Goal Statement: Protect and enhance the local seafood industry by proactively working to preserve existing working waterfronts and allowing for the expansion of commercial fishing operations.

Beaufort County should protect and enhance the local seafood industry by proactively working to preserve existing working waterfronts and allowing for the expansion of commercial fishing operations where appropriate.

Objectives:

• Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program
• Commercial Seafood Advisory Committee
• County Waterfront Property
• Commercial Fishing Village Overlay District

Maritime Heritage – Recreational Boating and Fishing

Goal Statement: Enhance our boat landings.

Beaufort County should enhance its boat landings to serve the diverse needs of recreational boaters and fishermen and commercial fishermen.

Objectives:

• Boat Landing Surveys
• Security
• Existing Boat Landings
• Fort Frederick Boat Landing

Maritime Heritage – On-shore Fishing

Goal Statement: Increase opportunities for on-shore fishing on marshfront and waterfront properties owned by the County or other public entities.

Beaufort County should increase opportunities for on-shore fishing on marshfront and waterfront properties owned by the County or other public entities.

Objectives:

• Shore-Based Fishing and Boat Ramps
• Fishing Piers, Crabbing Docks, and Sea-Walls

Maritime Heritage – Small Watercraft

Goal Statement: Provide more launch areas for small nonmotorized watercraft (kayaks and canoes).

Beaufort County should provide more launch areas for small nonmotorized (kayaks and canoes) in locations consistent with the Beaufort County Trails and Blueway Master Plan.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Maritime Heritage - Funding

Goal Statement: Pursue alternative funding sources for water access facilities.

Beaufort County should pursue alternative funding sources for water access facilities.

Objectives:

• State and Federal Funding Sources
• Boat Landing User Fee

Agricultural Heritage – Regulatory Framework

Goal Statement: Assess our rural land use regulations and make adjustments to provide incentives to cluster new development in rural areas, and permit active agriculture on land set aside as open space in rural cluster developments.

The County should assess its rural land use regulations and make adjustments to provide incentives to cluster new development in rural areas, and permit active agriculture on land set aside as open space in rural cluster developments.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Agricultural Heritage – Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program

Goal Statement: Continue to use the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program to promote active agriculture and the preservation of agricultural lands.

Beaufort County should continue to use the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program to promote active agriculture and the preservation of agricultural lands:

Objectives:

• Active Agriculture
• Development Rights
• Family Farms and Small Growers
• Leasing
• Sustainable Agriculture

Agricultural Heritage – Markets

Beaufort County should support local marketing initiatives designed to increase the profitability of small-scale farming by lining up local growers with consumers. These include the following:

Objectives:

• Small Farmer Wholesale Auction Market
• Market Manager

Agricultural Heritage – Local Foods

Goal Statement: Encourage the use of locally grown produce by adopting a local food purchasing program.

Beaufort County should encourage the use of locally grown produce by adopting a local food purchasing program.

Objectives:

• School District
• Advocacy Coalition
• Web Site
• Food Bank
• Local Produce

Military Heritage

Goal Statement: Recognize that the presence of the military is a vital component to the County’s history, culture, and economy.

Beaufort County should recognize that the presence of the military is a vital component to the County’s history, culture, and economy. The following actions are recommended: § Continue to enforce standards within the AICUZ contours that discourage development that would adversely affect the mission of the US Marine Corps Air Station. § Continue to partner with the US Marine Corps to preserve open space around MCAS to protect the facility from undesirable encroachment. This partnering expands the County’s efforts to preserve rural and critical land while ensuring the ability of the MCAS to remain militarily viable and vital to the national defense. § Adopt a transfer of development rights (TDR) program to compensate affected property owners within the Airport Overlay District (AOD) and continue encroachment partnering acquisition efforts in the vicinity of the Air Station. § Support the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee’s efforts to promote and lobby for the retention and expansion of the military installations in Beaufort County

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Gullah Culture

Goal Statement: Recognize the importance of our local Gullah Community by adopting policies that preserve and promote this unique cultural heritage.

Beaufort County should recognize the importance of its local Gullah Community by adopting policies that preserve and promote this unique cultural heritage. The following actions are recommended:

Objectives:

• Alternative Transportation
• Cultural Preservation Overlay
• Cultural Resource Protection Organizations
• Pedestrian Environment
• Educational Outreach
• Brochure
• Heritage Corridor
• Land Use Policies
• Gullah Community Assessment

Visual and Performing Arts

Goal Statement: Recognize the importance of our unique visual and performing arts community as both a key component of the County’s quality of life and source of economic development.

Beaufort County should recognize the importance of its unique visual and performing arts community as both a key component of the County’s quality of life and source of economic development by doing the following:

Objectives:

• Community Arts Center
• Cultural Assessment
• Matching Funds
• Display Space

Current Business Climate

Goal Statement: [Foster] new economic development.

Beaufort County is in need of new economic development that will complement and promote its current base economy and which draws capital and investment from outside the County and South Carolina, provides good wages and opportunities for our citizens, and increases tax revenues. To assist the economic development efforts of the Lowcountry Economic Network, Beaufort County should:

Objectives:

• Non-Retail Commercial Land
• Business License Fee Reduction
• Expansion in Airport Overlay Districts
• Commercial Zoning Districts
• Business License Fee Standardization
• Non-Retail Commercial Land Inventory

Developing Business Climate – Target Industries

Goal Statement: Take steps to recognize and encourage growth in the County’s existing and emerging industries, as well as attract the type of business that can sustain the economy well into the future.

Beaufort County should take the following steps to recognize and encourage growth in the County’s existing and emerging industries, as well as attract the type of business that can sustain the economy well into the future.

Objectives:

• Municipal and County Properties
• Infrastructure and Light Industrial Buildings
• Building Permit Process
• Visual and Cultural Arts
• Sustainable Development Incentives
• Mixed-Use Developments
• Broadband and Wireless Internet Capabilities

State Level Incentives

Goal Statement: Reviewed and update incentives on a regular basis to attract the right industries for the state and our region as well as keep pace with the changing face of business and industry.

State and local incentives play an important role in the decision-making process when companies look to expand or relocate. Regardless of economic or market changes, it is critical that incentives are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to attract the right industries for the state and our region as well as keep pace with the changing face of business and industry. Beaufort County should take the following actions to improve state level incentives:

Objectives:

• Multi-County Park Tax Credits
• Economic Development Qualifying Criteria
• Knowledge-Intensive Business Tax Credit
• Job Creation Qualifications

Workforce

Goal Statement: Address the County’s diverse workforce needs.

To address the County’s diverse workforce needs Beaufort County should take the following steps:

Objectives:

• Job Placement
• Strategies and Policies
• Workforce Liaison
• Agricultural and Seafood Farming Industries
• Regional Education Program

Regional Economic Development Strategies

Goal Statement: Support efforts by the Lowcountry Economic Network and the Lowcountry Economic Alliance to increase the available land and infrastructure needed to support the region’s economic development efforts and expand the area’s marketing reach to our target industries.

Beaufort County should support efforts by the Lowcountry Economic Network and the Lowcountry Economic Alliance to increase the available land and infrastructure needed to support the region’s economic development efforts and expand the area’s marketing reach to our target industries.

Objectives:

• Zoning and Fast-Track Permitting
• Land Acquisition
• Expansion

Airport Infrastructure

Goal Statement: Recognize and position both Hilton Head Island and Lady’s Island Airports as economic development assets.

In order to remain competitive with airports in neighboring counties or states and meet key site selection criteria of expanding or relocating businesses or company headquarters, both Hilton Head Island and Lady’s Island Airports need to be recognized and positioned as economic development assets. The Beaufort County Airports Master Plan should consider the following economic development goals:

Objectives:

• Hangars
• Private Investment Incentives
• Navigation Systems
• Personal Property Tax Rates

Relationship to Other Policies

Goal Statement: Recognize the relationship between our affordable housing goals and other chapters of this plan.

Beaufort County recognizes the relationship between its affordable housing goals and other chapters of this plan. Therefore, the following policies are recommended:

Objectives:

• Rural Areas
• Affordable Housing Approaches
• Location of Affordable Housing
• Urban Areas
• Green Building Programs

Full Spectrum of Affordable Housing

Goal Statement: Ensure that affordable housing production meets the needs of the full range of demographic segments in Beaufort County.

Beaufort County should ensure that affordable housing production meets the needs of the full range of demographic segments in Beaufort County, with respect to income levels, age, cultural traditions, disabilities, and special needs. § Develop targets for housing needs for each segment of the population, and monitor affordable housing production annually by segment to ensure that all needs are being addressed. § Maintain an inventory of all affordable and workforce housing units in the County. The inventory should include the location, structure type, and target income range for each housing unit. § Increase assistance to area non-profits in order to boost production of affordable housing for segments of the population with incomes or needs not addressed by the private sector . § Require homes for people with disabilities and special needs to be included in affordable housing developments. Such homes should be designed with special considerations in the interior and externally indistinguishable from other single-family housing. § Mix housing types within developments wherever possible to accommodate various incomes, ages, and special needs.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Regional Approach to Affordable Housing

Goal Statement: Adopt a regional, inter-governmental approach to affordable housing.

Beaufort County should adopt a regional, inter-governmental approach to affordable housing.

Objectives:

• Regional Transportation
• Common Approaches
• Urban Centers

Monitor Demographic Trends

Goal Statement: Monitor demographic trends to determine future housing needs.

Beaufort County should monitor demographic trends to determine future housing needs.

Objectives:

• Young Workers
• Older Persons

Address Barriers to Affordable Housing

Goal Statement: Continue to work to eliminate barriers to developing affordable and workforce housing.

Beaufort County, in cooperation with local municipalities and the Beaufort County Affordable Housing Consortium, will continue to work to eliminate barriers to developing affordable and workforce housing.

Objectives:

• Incentives
• Zoning
• Hook-Up and Impact Fees

Affordable Housing Incentives

Goal Statement: Revisit and Refine Existing Affordable Housing Incentives

Beaufort County shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of its regulatory incentives for affordable and workforce housing to determine their effectiveness in providing new units.

Objectives:

• Density Bonus
• Low Income Tax Credit
• Market Based Incentives
• Flexible Development
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s)

Mixed-Use Affordable Communities

Goal Statement: Encourage mixed-use development at higher intensity nodes along the County’s major travel corridors.

Beaufort County should encourage mixed-use development at higher intensity nodes along the County’s major travel corridors to allow for the creation of affordable housing that is accessible to employment, services and public transportation. * The location of mixed-use communities should be near employment centers, located on potential transit lines, and contextually suitable for multi-story development at higher densities than typically found in Beaufort County. * Mixed-use communities should be encouraged to be LEED certified to lower utility costs for low and moderate income residents. * Transit should be planned into such development to minimize traffic impact. * Employer-based rental housing could be part of such developments with employers participating by leasing units and subletting them to employees. * Development of mixed-use affordable communities would likely require both public/private and intergovernmental coordination.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Inclusionary Zoning

Goal Statement: Enact inclusionary zoning, which places a requirement to provide a specified percentage of affordable housing for new residential development.

Beaufort County should enact inclusionary zoning, which places a requirement to provide a specified percentage of affordable housing for new residential development. The inclusionary zoning policy should include provisions for, on a case by case basis, a housing fee in lieu of, off-site inclusionary units, land donation, and incentives such as density bonuses that are greater than the Inclusionary Zoning set aside so that the builder can reap the benefit of some bonus market-rate units. The County should adopt a program that includes participation by the municipalities.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Affordable Housing Consortium

Goal Statement: Provide continued support to the Beaufort County Affordable Housing Consortium.

Beaufort County should provide continued support to the Beaufort County Affordable Housing Consortium as the principal forum for consensus on affordable housing issues. Support includes continuing to provide a Housing Coordinator position and by committing staff support from other related departments when needed.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Housing Trust Fund

Goal Statement: Support the establishment of a housing trust fund in order to pool limited resources, manage dedicated funding, and to prioritize and manage affordable housing initiatives.

Beaufort County should support the establishment of a housing trust fund in order to pool limited resources, manage dedicated funding, and to prioritize and manage affordable housing initiatives. At least one dedicated source of revenue should be identified before creating the trust fund.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Land Acquisition

Goal Statement: Elevate land acquisition for affordable housing to a high priority.

Elevate land acquisition for affordable housing to a high priority utilizing Housing Trust Fund.

Objectives:

• Partnerships
• Land Trust
• Comprehensive Plan
• Funding Stream

Coordinate and Integrate Efforts of Non-profits

Goal Statement: Work with non-profit organizations to ensure that a wide range of housing needs are being addressed countywide and that there is no duplication of services.

Beaufort County should work with non-profit organizations to ensure that a wide range of housing needs are being addressed countywide and that there is no duplication of services.

Objectives:

• Eligibility
• New Developments
• Affordable Housing
• Counseling and Education
• Community Development Corporation
• New Houses

Energy Committee

Goal Statement: Designate the Natural Resources/Land Management Committee of Beaufort County Council to oversee the prioritization and implementation of the recommendations of this chapter.

Beaufort County should designate the Natural Resources/Land Management Committee of Beaufort County Council to oversee the prioritization and implementation of the recommendations of this chapter.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Relationship to Other Policies

Goal Statement: Recognize that many other policies in this plan have the added benefit of reducing energy demand and promoting energy efficiency.

Beaufort County recognizes that many other policies in this plan have the added benefit of reducing energy demand and promoting energy efficiency. These policies include the following:

Objectives:

• Transportation Policies
• Land Use Policies:
• Local Foods Initiatives
• Recycling

Education, Technical Assistance and Training

Goal Statement: Facilitate educational outreach, training and technical assistance to promote energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources.

Beaufort County should facilitate educational outreach, training and technical assistance to promote energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources.

Objectives:

• Green Expo
• Website

Technical Assistance and Expertise

Goal Statement: Utilize Available Technical Assistance and Expertise

Beaufort County should utilize existing state, federal, and non-profit resources to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.

Objectives:

• Available Services
• ICLEI

Energy Efficiency - County Energy Audit

Goal Statement: Conduct an energy audit for all County facilities.

Beaufort County should conduct an energy audit for all County facilities (existing, undergoing renovation, and under design).

Objectives:

• Energy Performance Contract
• Renewable Energy Audit

Energy Efficiency – Other Internal County Policies

Goal Statement: Evaluate all County operations to promote energy efficiency and to reduce energy consumption.

Beaufort County should evaluate all County operations to promote energy efficiency and to reduce energy consumption.

Objectives:

• Walking and Cycling to Work
• Telecommuting Policy
• Curbside Solid Waste Collection
• County Fleet
• Online Services
• Ride Sharing
• Centralization vs. Decentralization of County Facilities

Energy Efficiency – Outdoor Lighting

Goal Statement: Establish minimum requirements for outdoor lighting.

Beaufort County should establish minimum requirements for outdoor lighting that enhance visibility and public safety by preventing uncontrolled intrusion into adjacent properties and the natural environment for purposes of promoting energy conservation and preserving the County’s night sky, which is valuable natural resource important to the County’s character.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Green Building – Green Building Codes

Goal Statement: Adopt a voluntary approach to promoting green building code standards.

Beaufort County should adopt a voluntary approach to promoting green building code standards until the statewide uniform green building code is adopted and can be enforced.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Green Building - LEED

Goal Statement: Facilitate green building through a combination of leading by example, educational outreach, and providing incentives to encourage LEED construction in the private sector.

Beaufort County should facilitate green building through a combination of leading by example, educational outreach, and providing incentives to encourage LEED construction in the private sector.

Objectives:

• Public and Non-Profit Entities
• LEED Certification
• Incentives
• Land Use and Building Regulations

Green Building - Low Income Weatherization

Goal Statement: Support low-income weatherization programs.

Beaufort County should support low-income weatherization programs such as the Weatherization Assistance Program offered through the US Department of Energy, and assist local agencies who are implementing these programs to seek all available state and federal funds that are available.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Renewable Energy - Remove Regulatory Barriers

Goal Statement: Analyze our development regulations to remove any unnecessary regulatory barriers that deter local renewable energy generation.

Beaufort County should analyze its development regulations to remove any unnecessary regulatory barriers that deter local renewable energy generation.

Objectives:

• Restrictive Covenants
• Standards

Renewable Energy - State and Federal Legislation

Goal Statement: Monitor and support state and federal legislation that promotes energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy sources.

Beaufort County should monitor and support state and federal legislation that promotes energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy sources. § Support more effective net metering legislation that would allow those that produce alternative energy (e.g. wind and solar) to sell excess generated electricity back to the grid.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Renewable Energy – County Initiatives

Goal Statement: Explore both the opportunities and the financial feasibility of generating biodiesel or electricity from local resources such as wood waste, municipal solid waste, and oil and grease from restaurants [and] explore the feasibility of appropriate scale solar and wind opportunities.

Beaufort County should explore both the opportunities and the financial feasibility of generating biodiesel or electricity from local resources such as wood waste, municipal solid waste, and oil and grease from restaurants. It should also explore the feasibility of appropriate scale solar and wind opportunities. Introduction of these technologies to the County could be in the form of pilot plants.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Level of Service

Goal Statement: Recognize LOS “D” as the standard that should be maintained on our road network and the standard upon which traffic impact analysis should be conducted and the road impact fee ordinance should be based.

Beaufort County shall recognize LOS “D” as the standard that should be maintained on its road network and the standard upon which traffic impact analysis should be conducted and the road impact fee ordinance should be based.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Regional Transportation Planning and Programming

Goal Statement: Formalize through an intergovernmental agreement a regional transportation process.

Beaufort County, along with its municipalities, should formalize through an intergovernmental agreement a regional transportation process that coordinates transportation planning with land use planning and forecasts, and to address: data collection, monitoring, modeling, planning, prioritizing, funding, and implementing issues related to the County’s road network.

Objectives:

• Joint Review of Major Projects
• Required Update of Travel Demand Model
• Staff Working Groups
• Neighboring Counties

Committed Road Improvements

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with its municipalities, SCDOT and other agencies to effectively complete the [identified] projects.

Beaufort County will work cooperatively with its municipalities, SCDOT and other agencies to effectively complete the projects identified in Table 10-1.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Additional Transportation Improvements

Goal Statement: Fund and Implement Additional Transportation Improvements

Beaufort County will work cooperatively with its municipalities and neighboring counties to plan, fund, and implement transportation improvements identified in Table 10-2 necessary to address future demands. These projects include but are not limited to the following: 1. US 21 Widening from SC 170 to Clarendon Rd (6 lanes) – The US 21 corridor experiences significant capacity limitations that are beyond those effectively addressed with the alternatives to capacity expansion examined. Further, significant growth management would be needed to reduce trip making to mitigate deficiencies along the corridor. Therefore, widening SC 21 is recommended to accommodate these travel needs. This should be designed as a “complete streets” application to include automobile, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit considerations, as well as landscaping. 2. US 21 to SC 170 – Western Bypass (Planning, feasibility analysis, and right-of-way for a 2 lane road with turn lanes and bicycle lanes) – This connection will provide a link from the US 21 corridor to the SC 170 and SC 802 corridors. This connection has the potential to relieve US 21 for traffic traveling to/from SC 170, as well as serving some traffic along US 21 north of Beaufort that is destined for Port Royal, Lady’s Island, or St. Helena Island. This project will provide the planning and analysis for consideration of this alternative for application beyond year 2025. 3. Third Crossing of Beaufort River (Planning, feasibility analysis, and right-of-way for additional Lady’s Island Crossing) – The capital project sales tax currently provides funding for a possible alignment (the northern bypass) for a third crossing from Lady’s Island to the mainland. Pursuant to Federal concept definition/NEPA requirements, this feasibility study would include analysis of the mobility, economic, and community/environmental impacts and benefits of various alignment options. 4. New Connector Road from SC 170 to Ribaut Road (2 lanes with bike lanes) – This road would connect from SC 170 near Neil Road eastward via an abandoned rail corridor toward Downtown Beaufort. This linkage would provide direct relief to the congested section of US 21 between SC 170 and Ribaut Road, as well as provide a bicycle connection through the area. In order to minimize long distance through travel, the roadway cross section and speed design should be that of a collector road for local connectivity. 5. Intersection and Roadway Operational Improvements – Implementation of turning lanes at appropriate locations and intersection improvements to enhance flow at bottleneck intersections could free underutilized capacity along key corridors. Operational improvements are recommended in the following areas: * SC 802 north of US 21 * Joe Frazier Road from Broad River Road to Laurel Bay Road * SC 280 from SC 170 to Mink Point Boulevard 6. US 278 Frontage Roads – Seven frontage road projects for interparcel connectivity and access improvements with median closures/modifications have been identified between the Gatherings and Graves Road. These projects should help relieve congestion on US 278 and increase average speeds on the mainline with the median closures 7. Malphrus Road/US 278 & Foreman Hill Road Connection – A new 2-lane road would connect Foreman Hill with Malphrus Road and include a widening at US 278 from US 278 to Ulmer Road. The increased connectivity proposed to alleviate bottlenecks in the near vicinity and on US 278. 8. US 278 Widening, Phase 4 – This project would have US 278 widened to 6 lanes divided from SC 170 to SC 141 with limited access to adjacent land uses. This widening would help regional travel by reducing congestion and limiting mainline traffic interference from side streets.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Transportation Improvements for Beaufort Commerce Park

Goal Statement: Provide the roadway infrastructure improvements necessary to facilitate ingress and egress from Beaufort Commerce Park.

In order to promote the Beaufort Commerce Park as an attractive location for light industrial development, Beaufort County will provide the roadway infrastructure improvements necessary to facilitate ingress and egress from the location. Beaufort County, in conjunction with the Lowcountry Economic Network, has conducted an analysis of existing and future traffic conditions in the vicinity of the Beaufort Commerce Park development area, located east of US 21 at Parker Drive. The Lowcountry Economic Network is interested in promoting this location to provide a location for light industry to expand in northern Beaufort County. The site is on approximately 177 acres (with 132 acres of developable land); located north and west of Bay Pines Road and Parker Drive, respectively. Commerce Park is expected to employ approximately 400 workers. Transportation improvements include: * Traffic signals and/or turn lane improvements at: - US 21 at Parker Drive - US 21 at Shanklin Road - Bay Pines Road at Parker Drive - Bay Pines Road at Shanklin Road - Schork Road and Parker Drive - Bay Pines Road at Schein Loop * If a traffic signal is not feasible at the intersection of US 21 at Shanklin Road, consideration should be given to limiting the intersection to right-in/right-out only, and roadway and intersection improvements along Stanley Farm Road between Shanklin Road and Laurel Bay Road should be considered. * Repaving/reconstruction of Parker Dr and the widening of Schein Loop and Schork Rd.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Funding Sources

Goal Statement: Identify and Pursue Future Funding Sources

Beaufort County will work cooperatively with the state and federal governments to develop a strategy to fund existing and future transportation capital improvements needs on the County’s road network to maintain the adopted LOS standard in a way that is environmentally and context sensitive, so that the image and character of the county is maintained, to the maximum extent practicable.

Objectives:

• Funding Strategy
• State and Federal Funding
• Sales Tax Referendum
• Joint Funding
• Local Option Gas Tax
• Transportation Impact Fees

Tools and Policies to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT’s)

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively to develop strategies to reduce VMT’s on the County’s road network.

Beaufort County will work cooperatively to develop strategies to reduce VMT’s on the County’s road network. 1) Access Management: Beaufort County will coordinate access management standards to improve the efficiency of the County’s road network, especially along shared corridors. Those standards will address signal spacing, signal timing and control, driveway spacing, driveway design, deceleration lanes, shared driveway access, frontage roads, and connectivity standards. Access management is recommended on the following corridors: § SC 46 (May River Road) § Bluffton Parkway § Buckwalter Parkway § US 21 north of SC 170 § US 21 south of the Beaufort River to St. Helena Island § SC 170 from US 21 to the Broad River § Joe Frazier Road from SC 170 to Laurel Bay Road § SC 280 from SC 170 to Mink Point Boulevard 2) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Beaufort County shall develop a plan to establish an Intelligent Transportation Systems architecture that will provide a framework that will guide development of an ITS system on the County’s road network. Beaufort County will implement the recommendations of this plan through an ITS Strategic Plan. 3) Land Use Policies: Beaufort County, where appropriate, should adopt land use policies, such as regulations to encourage mixed use development at higher intensity nodes that result in reduced VMT’s on the County’s road network, more pronounced connectivity standards, and adequate public facility standards. In addition, Beaufort County will further evaluate and consider, where appropriate, rate of growth regulations. 4) Land Acquisition: Beaufort County and its municipalities will continue to coordinate their efforts to identify and purchase land in order to remove it from potential development. This is a growth management tool that can reduce future transportation demand and be coordinated with other goals and objectives to protect open space and environmentally sensitive lands. 5) Travel Demand Management: Beaufort County should consider a program to provide an organized approach to telecommuting, flexible work hours, carpool matching, and vanpool services is recommended for the downtown Beaufort, Port Royal, Hilton Head Island and downtown Bluffton. A second program to focus on U.S. Marine Air Station and Parris Island carpooling is also recommended. The transit and travel demand management strategies will require more detailed study to determine the anticipated level of benefits and feasibility.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Context Sensitive Design

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with our municipalities to maintain and enhance regional commercial travel corridors and scenic corridors.

Beaufort County will work cooperatively with its municipalities to maintain and enhance regional commercial travel corridors and scenic corridors to promote a positive image of the region, and to protect regional character and quality of life, environmental quality, and aesthetics.

Objectives:

• Traffic Calming
• Regional Travel Corridors
• Scenic Corridors
• Innovative Road Construction Techniques

Public Transportation

Goal Statement: Place an emphasis on the expansion of public transportation as an alternative means of transportation in the region.

Beaufort County will place an emphasis on the expansion of public transportation as an alternative means of transportation in the region.

Objectives:

• US 278/Bluffton Parkway Mainline Service
• Circulator
• SC 170 Mainline Service (Northern Beaufort County)

Non-motorized Transportation

Goal Statement: Coordinate and place additional emphasis on expansion and implementation of a multi-use pathway, sidewalk, and bike lane system.

Beaufort County and its municipalities will coordinate and place additional emphasis on expansion and implementation of a multi-use pathway, sidewalk, and bike lane system through the Southern Beaufort Greenway Plan, and the Beaufort County Trails and Blueways Master Plan.

Objectives:

• Roadway Improvements
• Utility Corridors
• New Development
• Port Royal to Yemassee Rail/Trail
• Safe Routes to School Program

Emergency Evacuation

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with our municipalities, inland counties and the state to ensure that emergency evacuation times are minimized.

Beaufort County should work cooperatively with its municipalities, inland counties and the state to ensure that emergency evacuation times are minimized.

Objectives:

• Hurricane Evacuation Route Clearance Time Analysis
• Inland Counties

Monitoring and Evaluation of Space Needs

Goal Statement: Continually monitor and evaluate the space demands for our departments.

Beaufort County should continually monitor and evaluate the space demands for its departments while being mindful of the impact of both population growth and municipal annexations on the need for County services.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

New Law Enforcement Center

Goal Statement: Construct a new Law Enforcement Center.

Beaufort County should construct a new Law Enforcement Center that will consolidate all the space needs for the Sheriff’s Department and provide additional space at that site to house the Emergency Management Department, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) headquarters, and the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Southern Beaufort County Offices

Goal Statement: Expand services in southern Beaufort County.

Beaufort County should expand its services in southern Beaufort County to better serve the needs of its residents in that region.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Consistency with Other Chapters of the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan

Goal Statement: Ensure that the location and quality of development of new and existing facilities meet the Land Use and Natural Resources goals of our Comprehensive Plan.

Beaufort County should ensure that the location and quality of development of its new and existing facilities meet the Land Use and Natural Resources goals of its Comprehensive Plan. § New County facilities should have high architectural, site design, and landscaping standards: § New County facilities should adhere to strong environmental standards working around the natural features of the site and providing effective stormwater management; and § Existing facilities should be brought up to these standards when renovated or expanded.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Energy and Resource Efficient Design

Goal Statement: Register the proposed community facilities and gain certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) program, or meet similar standards of development (i.e. EarthCraft).

When planning future community facilities (or major renovations to existing facilities) Beaufort County should register the proposed project, and gain certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) program, or meet similar standards of development (i.e. EarthCraft).

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Assess Current Conditions

Goal Statement: Conduct a study to assess current conditions at the Detention Center.

County Council should direct Detention Center staff to conduct a study to assess current conditions at the Detention Center. The study should include: § A prediction of the adult Detention Center population over the next 20 years and estimate of the space needed to house them. § A mechanism to set up a work release program that is separate from the general population and allows inmates to earn money to contribute to fiduciary responsibilities. § An assessment of juvenile detention rate and costs over the past 10 years including future predictions for the next 20 years. The assessment should consider local agreements with surrounding counties to hold their juvenile detainees to help justify the expense of a juvenile detention facility to be sited within the confines of the Beaufort County Detention Center. § County Council should implement measures necessary to carry forth an action based on the results of the study.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Expanded Detention Center

Goal Statement: Coordinate the possible relocation of the Law Enforcement Center and expansion of the Detention Center.

County Council should direct the Sheriff’s Office and the Detention Center to coordinate the possible relocation of the Law Enforcement Center and expansion of the Detention Center (see Recommendation 11-2).

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Emergency Management Department Relocation

Goal Statement: Relocate the Emergency Management Department to the proposed Law Enforcement Center

The County should build an appropriate facility to house the Emergency Management Department within or attached to the proposed Law Enforcement Center (see Recommendation 11-2).

Objectives:

• Emergency Management Space Needs

Radio Central System and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Replacement

Goal Statement: Replace our Radio Central control system and computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.

In order to maintain interoperability with state and other government systems, Beaufort County should replace its Radio Central control system and its computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Emergency Evacuation

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with our municipalities, inland counties and the state to ensure that emergency evacuation times are minimized.

Beaufort County should work cooperatively with its municipalities, inland counties and the state to ensure that emergency evacuation times are minimized.

Objectives:

• SC 68
• evacuation Time Reduction
• Hurricane Evacuation Route Clearance Time Analysis
• Jasper County, City of Hardeeville and LCOG

New EMS Stations

Goal Statement: Work with the Bluffton Fire District and the Lady’s Island Fire District to collocate three new EMS stations.

The Beaufort County EMS Department should work with the Bluffton Fire District and the Lady’s Island Fire District to collocate three new EMS stations to respond to future call volume trends in those areas of the County.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

EMS Headquarters

Goal Statement: House EMS headquarters in the proposed Law Enforcement Center

Beaufort County should include the EMS administrative offices, training center and storage space needs in the planned Law Enforcement Center (LEC) complex. In addition to EMS, other related departments including the Dispatch System, Emergency Services and Traffic Management should be housed in the new LEC. This will allow for efficient communication regarding shared requirements.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Level of Service

Goal Statement: [Support] recommended levels of service for libraries.

This plan recommends the following levels of service for libraries: § Building Space: 1.25 square feet per capita § Collection Materials: 3.5 items per capita

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Funding Gap

Goal Statement: Address the Funding Gap [for our libraries]

This plan recommends the following strategy for closing the projected funding gap of $58 million to meet existing and future needs for library facilities:

Objectives:

• Capital Projects Sales Tax
• Outside Funding
• Capital Campaigns

Parks Master Plan

Goal Statement: Develop a new parks, recreation and open space master plan.

Beaufort County Council should develop a new parks, recreation and open space master plan. The Master Plan should include the following: § An analysis of existing park facilities and programs and a survey of residents to determine demands for park services; § A detailed analysis of current maintenance conditions, type of programs and/or facilities offered, the annual visitation of each facility, and the annual cost to maintain each park; § A list of future park and recreation needs; § A park maintenance plan; § Identification of park equity issues as well as inclusion of the stewardship responsibility associated with the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation program § Review of the current park management organizational structure and recommendations for reorganization if warranted; § Analysis of existing and future funding sources that include identification of state and federal funding to support parks and recreation programs; and § Oversight by a stakeholders group representing a diverse group of citizens.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Existing Recreational Facilities

Goal Statement: Improve Existing Recreational Facilities

Beaufort County should make the best use of its existing recreational facilities by upgrading and improving existing parkland and facilities so that residents may use them to their fullest potential.

Objectives:

• Facilities Evaluation

New Parks and Recreation Facilities

Goal Statement: Develop New Parks and Recreation Facilities

Beaufort County should develop additional regional, community, and neighborhood parks to meet current and future recreation needs and to serve different geographic areas.

Objectives:

• Regional Parks
• Recreation Facilities
• Land Acquisition and Facility Development

Marsh and Water Access

Goal Statement: Improve and increase public access to water and marshes.

Beaufort County should improve and increase public access to water and marshes by improving access on waterfront and marsh front properties currently owned by the County or other public entities; by purchasing additional waterfront and marsh front properties through the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program; and by providing incentives to encourage public access to the water in private developments.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Boat Landings

Goal Statement: Review, prioritize and implement the recommendations of the South Carolina Five Coastal County Boat Ramp Study.

Beaufort County should direct staff to review, prioritize and implement the recommendations of the South Carolina Five Coastal County Boat Ramp Study.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Multi-Use Pathways and Trails

Goal Statement: Coordinate and place additional emphasis on expansion and implementation of a multi-use pathway system.

Beaufort County and its municipalities should coordinate and place additional emphasis on expansion and implementation of a multi-use pathway system through the Southern Beaufort Greenway Plan, and the Beaufort County Trails and Blueways Master Plan.

Objectives:

• Trails and Blueways Master Plan
• Strategy
• Rail/Trail Corridor

Management of Passive Parks

Goal Statement: Provide a park stewardship position to manage the County’s passive park land.

Beaufort County should provide a park stewardship position to manage the County’s passive park land. Passive park lands include those parks purchased through the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program and passive uses in the County’s two regional parks.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Park Funding

Goal Statement: Identify and Pursue Future Funding Sources [for parks]

Beaufort County should develop a strategy to fund existing and future park needs by expanding on existing funding options and seeking new sources of funding.

Objectives:

• Park Impact Fees
• Large Developments
• Revenue Generating Park Amenities
• Joint Recreation Facilities
• Private Sources
• Grants
• Joint Purchasing

New Law Enforcement Center

Goal Statement: Construct a new Law Enforcement Center that will consolidate all the space needs for the Sheriff’s Department.

Beaufort County should construct a new Law Enforcement Center that will consolidate all the space needs for the Sheriff’s Department (see Recommendation 11-2).

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Future Disposal Sites

Goal Statement: Design and implement a plan for provision of multiple disposal alternatives for the County.

County Council should direct its staff to design and implement a plan for provision of multiple disposal alternatives for the County.

Objectives:

• Waste Disposal and Recycling Alliances
• Transfer Station and MRF

Curbside Collection

Goal Statement: Provide Curbside Collection in High Density Areas

County Council should direct County staff to explore means of initiating mandated curbside pick-up for solid waste and recycling in Districts 6, 7, and 9; and encouraging the Town of Hilton Head to provide or require curbside pick-up.

Objectives:

• Convenience Centers
• Town of Hilton Head
• Exclusive Franchise

Recycling of Yard Waste

Goal Statement: Pursue recycling options for yard waste.

County Council should direct staff to continue to pursue recycling options for yard waste as an alternative to placement in a construction and demolition landfill or incineration.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Land Use and Population Projections

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with the fire districts and other fire protection providers to provide updated land use and population projections to be used by the fire districts to project future capital needs.

Beaufort County should work cooperatively with the fire districts and other fire protection providers to provide updated land use and population projections to be used by the fire districts to project future capital needs.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

ISO Ratings

Goal Statement: Improve ISO Ratings

Beaufort County should support the fire districts efforts to improve ISO ratings by providing excellent dispatching services, improving upon and enforcing building codes, and supporting public water improvements in areas with inadequate water pressure.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Cooperative Future Planning with Municipalities

Goal Statement: Encourage the Burton and Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire Districts to work cooperatively with the City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal to determine the future roles of those two fire districts.

Beaufort County should encourage the Burton and Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire Districts to work cooperatively with the City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal to determine the future roles of those two fire districts.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Funding of Capital Needs

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with the School District to seek alternative funding sources to pay for future school facilities.

Beaufort County should work cooperatively with the School District to seek alternative funding sources to pay for future school facilities. § School Impact Fees: The County and the School District should lobby the State Legislature to enable local governments to establish impact fees for schools.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Cooperative Planning

Goal Statement: Work cooperatively with the School District to coordinate the timing and siting of future school facilities.

Beaufort County should work cooperatively with the School District to coordinate the timing and siting of future school facilities. § Intergovernmental Agreement: The County and the School District should formalize process for coordinating school planning through an intergovernmental agreement § Coordinated Growth Tracking: Beaufort County and the School District should work together to maintain a common regional growth tracking system, combining a land demand and land use forecasting model with other regional models (such as the transportation model) to be used by the School District to project future facility needs. § Review of Major Development Projects: Beaufort County should work cooperatively with the School District and the municipalities to develop and implement a procedure where major development proposals are reviewed by the School District prior to their approvals to ensure the proposal does not have an adverse impact on current school capacity. § Future School Sites: The County and the School District should work cooperatively to locate future school sites that are consistent with County and municipal land use plans. The County will encourage cooperation between the School District and other community facility providers (parks, libraries, fire protection) to coordinate future land purchases to serve mutual needs.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Pedestrian Friendly Schools

Goal Statement: Coordinate with the School District to organize public policy and public infrastructure commitments to promote neighborhood and pedestrian friendly schools.

Beaufort County should coordinate with the School District to organize public policy and public infrastructure commitments to promote neighborhood and pedestrian friendly schools.

Objectives:

• Development Standards
• Location of Schools

Groundwater Quality

Goal Statement: Preserve Groundwater Quality

Beaufort County should support efforts to preserve groundwater quality by reducing and eliminating heavy usage of groundwater resources in southern Beaufort County.

Objectives:

• Users of Groundwater
• Major Developments

Demand for Irrigation

Goal Statement: Reduce Demand for Irrigation

Beaufort County should encourage the use of native plants and xeriscape landscape practices to reduce demand for the use of both ground and surface water for irrigation.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Extension of Public Water

Goal Statement: Support the extension of public water in the Seabrook/Stuart Point CP, Dale CP, the Pritchardville CP, and other rural communities that are currently served by private wells.

Beaufort County should support the extension of public water in the Seabrook/Stuart Point CP, Dale CP, the Pritchardville CP, and other rural communities that are currently served by private wells.

Objectives:

• Water Lines
• Water Service and Tap-In Fees

Onlot Septic Systems

Goal Statement: Address Concentrations of Onlot Septic Systems

Beaufort County will work with BJWSA to identify and prioritize areas with the highest concentration of on-lot septic systems to be connected to public sewer.

Objectives:

• Prioritization
• Grants

Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems

Goal Statement: Organize a task force to implement the Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems recommendations of the SAMP.

Address SAMP -- Recommendation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSDS) -- Beaufort County should organize a task force to implement the Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems recommendations of the SAMP. Representatives should include municipalities, local DHEC offices, Natural Resource Conservation Service-USDA, BJWSA, Beaufort County Stormwater Utility Board, and Beaufort County Department of Public Works. This OSDS task force should address these SAMP recommendations: 1. Develop inspection and maintenance standards by the establishment of a wastewater management district that addresses all septic systems in the county. 2. Develop a comprehensive on-site wastewater disposal management program. 3. Develop innovative standards for on-site wastewater disposal. 4. Develop new standards for household appliances. 5. Adopt a manual of alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems. 6. Review DHEC Regulations 61-56 to identify duplications in recommendations prior to the enactment of a county Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems ordinance.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Sewage Lines

Goal Statement: Limit Expansion of Sewage Lines to Land Within the Growth Areas

Beaufort County should not target the expansion and location of new regional sewage collection and transmission facilities in rural areas except where a documented public health or environmental safety issue has been identified.

Objectives:

• unnamed objective

Capital Improvements

Goal Statement: Determine Needed Capital Improvements

Beaufort County should establish a methodology to prioritize capital improvements required to achieve and maintain desired levels of service and to repair and replace public facilities. This methodology should take into account both capital costs and the cost to operate and maintain proposed capital improvements in order to achieve the best use of funds and potential overall cost savings.

Objectives:

• Capital Improvements Budget
• Capital Improvements Program
• Priorities

Funding Strategy

Goal Statement: Develop a Funding Strategy [for capital projects]

Beaufort County should develop a coordinated funding strategy to fund needed capital projects. Possible future revenue sources may include, but are not limited to:

Objectives:

• Capital Projects Sales Tax
• Grants
• Impact Fees
• G.O. Bonds
• User Fees

Coordination with Other Agencies and Jurisdictions

Goal Statement: Coordinate the provision of capital improvements with other relevant agencies and jurisdictions.

Beaufort County shall coordinate the provision of capital improvements with other relevant agencies and jurisdictions.

Objectives:

• Public Facilities
• Capital Improvements