Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts revised subdivision ordinance, sets public hearing on updated comprehensive plan
Summary
The commission adopted a revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance effective Jan. 30, 2025, and set a public hearing for the county's updated comprehensive plan within the statutory 90-day review window — the commission scheduled the hearing for Feb. 20, 2025.
The Berkeley County Commission on Jan. 30 voted to adopt a revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and scheduled a public hearing on an updated comprehensive plan.
Why it matters: The revised subdivision ordinance and the updated comprehensive plan steer local land-use decisions, development review, and give the county the authority to impose certain fees under state law. The commission must act on the comprehensive plan within 90 days of receipt; commissioners set the public hearing to meet statutory notice requirements.
Adoption of revised subdivision ordinance: Community Development Director Bridal Ross and Senior Planner Laura Hockmaster presented the revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and thanked staff and stakeholder groups for their work. The commission voted to adopt the revised ordinance effective Jan. 30, 2025. Laura Hockmaster told the commission the revisions were primarily updates and clerical cleanup: "Substance wasn't changed at all," she said.
Comprehensive plan next steps: Planning staff said the planning commission recommended the new comprehensive plan; the county has 90 days to act. Staff explained the Local Powers Act requires more frequent updates (every five years rather than ten) if the county wishes to impose fees such as an impact fee. Commissioners discussed a schedule and set a public hearing for Feb. 20, 2025; staff will publish the required 15-day notice and return with the public hearing record.
Context and implementation notes: Planning staff said the recent updates used 2020 census data and that only chapters 3 and 5A had substantive edits; other edits were clerical (agency name changes, date updates). Commissioners directed staff to publish notice and bring materials back for the scheduled hearing; the commission must adopt, amend or reject the plan after the public hearing or return it to the planning commission for further review.
