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Council green-lights comprehensive-plan changes to allow accommodations-tax funding for workforce housing and create urban waterfront district for Union Pier
Summary
Council approved two advertised comprehensive-plan amendments: one to allow use of accommodations taxes to support workforce housing under the state law, and a map-and-text change creating an urban waterfront future land use designation for the Union Pier site.
The City of Charleston council voted to approve two advertised amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan: a change to permit use of accommodations-tax revenue for workforce housing consistent with a recent state law, and a new urban waterfront future land‑use designation for the site commonly called Union Pier.
Staff told council the accommodations-tax amendment implements state legislation (identified in staff materials) that allows municipalities, subject to specified reporting and requirements, to dedicate up to an estimated $2 million per year toward local workforce housing. Christopher Morgan, the staff presenter, said Planning Commission had recommended the amendment by a 6–0 vote. Brian Turner, president and CEO of the Preservation Society of Charleston, urged council to pair such new revenue tools with rehabilitation programs to keep legacy residents in place.
Council also approved a map-and-text amendment establishing an “urban waterfront” land‑use district for Union Pier. Staff said the new designation replaces a prior “future planning area” entry with a more specific vision intended to guide future redevelopment, and that the language envisions a mixed-use waterfront center that “reflects the character of Charleston.” Preservation groups and the Historic Charleston Foundation had submitted comments in support; the Planning Commission endorsed the change unanimously.
Donna Acree of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce told council the business community supports the workforce-housing amendment and that the urban waterfront designation would help guide future public planning for Union Pier. “We’re just excited to see more progress be made and we think that this land‑use district implementation will sort of help guide what can happen on that site,” she said.
Council took the two items together on a single motion and approved them in the consent of items considered that evening. The votes move the comprehensive plan changes into effect for city decision-making; any future development of Union Pier or use of accommodations-tax funds will still require the specific implementing actions, reports and approvals that state and local rules require.
