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Charleston council backs rezoning to allow seven-story workforce housing at 24 Calhoun Street
Summary
City planning staff and the planning commission recommended rezoning 24 Calhoun Street to allow mixed-use workforce housing and a seven-story height in the city center designation; council approved the package of seven public-hearing items unanimously.
Mayor William S. Cogswell opened the Nov. 18 Charleston City Council meeting and the body approved a package of seven public-hearing items that includes a zoning change for 24 Calhoun Street intended to speed delivery of affordable units in the downtown core.
Christopher Morgan, the city planner introducing the item, said the request would rezone the site to allow “mixed use workforce housing 1 and also the 7 story old city Height District,” and that the planning commission recommended approval. Morgan added the site is adjacent to the Aquarium parking deck and Liberty Square and that the staff view a seven-story height as appropriate for the city-center designation and for the affordable housing goal.
The rezoning was presented as consistent with the comprehensive plan’s city-center designation and as a way to reduce the need for variances during design and permitting. Morgan said the change would allow the project team to coordinate with City Park and capital projects staff on tree preservation and mitigation as part of site design.
Council approved items 1–7, including the Calhoun rezoning, by voice vote after a motion and second; the mayor announced “Ayes have it.” The city did not record dissent on the rezoning during the Nov. 18 action.
Next steps: proponents will move from entitlement to site design and permitting under the new zoning; timeline details and permit applications were not specified at the hearing.
