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1. What is a comprehensive plan?

A Comprehensive Plan is a local government’s guide for decision making. It is created by studying the existing conditions of the Town, debating preferred future alternatives and priorities, and identifying practical implementation strategies to help the Town reach its preferred future goals. There are nine required “elements” that every Comprehensive Plan must address – population, housing, economic development, community facilities, natural resources, cultural resources, land use, transportation, and priority investments. Thus, the Comprehensive Plan touches land development decisions, capital projects, and many other governmental decisions that might impact the future health of the Town. In South Carolina, communities are required to prepare new Comprehensive Plans every 10 years. Considering the tremendous growth that the area has experienced over the past several years, Town Council decided to move the process up a year, to help town government identify and address its greatest needs. 

2. Why is Mount Pleasant updating its comprehensive plan?

In South Carolina, communities are required to prepare new Comprehensive Plans every 10 years. Considering the tremendous growth that the area has experienced over the past several years, Town Council decided to move the process up a year, to help town government identify and address its greatest needs. The town wants to develop a Mount Pleasant Planning Area citizen-driven plan that is strategic and actionable, and embraced by the community to better manage the pressures of growth.

3. Why should I care?

As a citizen, business owner, or property owner in the Mount Pleasant Planning Area, you have made an important choice to invest in this community. If you like the community the way it is, you should care because change is always happening. If you want aspects of the community improved you have an opportunity to help prioritize the most important projects or areas to address. This is your best chance to have a direct say in what Mount Pleasant looks like in the future.

4. Who is leading the process?

The planning process is being led by Planning Commission and Town Staff. A Plan Forum – a group of 34 Mount Pleasant Planning Area residents – was established to provide feedback and guide development of the Plan. The Plan Forum will be geographically and demographically representative of the town’s neighborhoods and planning area. They are charged with meeting on a regular basis to guide the planning consultant in the creation of several milestone deliverables and to process and reflect on information and input provided by the broader public at a series of three open house/workshops held over the next year.

5. How can I be involved?

We are committed to an inclusive and open process to foster community engagement and action. There will be three series of input opportunities specifically designed for you to share your ideas. Please follow us on facebook and check the project website for the engagement schedule, and online activities. For more information about the Town of Mount Pleasant Planning and Development Department and the Town of Mount Pleasant 2018-2028 Comprehensive Plan, sign up on our Notify Me module and let us bring the information to you. Customize your experience and engage in information you care about!

6. Do I have to be an expert to participate?

You are already an expert if you live or work in the Mount Pleasant Planning Area. Who knows the community better than someone who lives or works here?

7. What topics will be covered?

A comprehensive plan looks at the various aspects of the built and natural environment and the policies the town uses to make development and preservation decisions. The primary themes that are emerging early in the process and serve as a driver for the update are the rapid growth rate the town has experienced, and the impacts of that growth on our roads, schools, public services and other infrastructure like sewer and water. The state requires certain elements of a comprehensive plan including: land use, transportation, economic development, natural resources, cultural resources, population, housing, community facilities, and priority investments to coordinate financial decisions with the recommendations of the comprehensive plan.

8. Will transportation be a part of the Comprehensive Plan?

A Long Range Transportation Plan will be developed in concert with the Comprehensive Plan. The project team will be starting this effort with an assessment of existing traffic conditions and other mobility options in the Town. Looking ahead to the future, the team will be working together to identify transportation solutions collaboratively with the land use planning effort to make sure the appropriate improvements and projects are identified to support the growth and development throughout the Town of Mount Pleasant Planning Area. All modes of transportation will be included: autos, trucks, bicycles, transit, and walking. Additionally, the transportation plan will include a review of the traffic operations in the Town. This means we will be looking at signals, signage, and relative solutions to improve mobility.