Community happenings
A weekly roundup of the public meetings, rezonings, subdivision plans and road projects that shape Johns Island, James Island, the beaches, Mount Pleasant and the rest of the Charleston area. Each item links to the official agenda or notice. Updated every Monday; last updated November 9, 2026.
Coming up
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City short-term rental rules rewrite deferred again at City Council
The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on Oct 21 to send the short-term rental ordinance rewrite to City Council, asking Council to weigh four points raised in public comment, including how the eight-guest cap applies to existing permits. The amended ordinance is listed for first reading on the Nov 10 City Council agenda but is marked deferred.
Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 pm · 80 Broad St, Charleston · City Council agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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County weighs new subdivision rules tied to restrictive covenants
Proposed county zoning amendments would add posted notice and title searches for subdivision applications, require notarized covenant affidavits and fix ownership affidavit issues. County Council holds the public hearing Nov 10, then Planning and Public Works Committee and first reading on Nov 19, second reading Dec 9 and third reading Dec 17.
Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 pm · 4045 Bridge View Dr, North Charleston · Charleston County ZLDR amendments page
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Sam Rittenberg and Ashley Hall Road commercial zonings at second reading
Three West Ashley zoning ordinances heard on Oct 27 are listed for second reading on Nov 10: general business zoning for about 2.25 acres on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and 1.61 acres on Ashley Hall Road, and a 0.68-acre rezoning from single-family residential to general business on Sam Rittenberg. A King Street rezoning to mixed-use/workforce housing zoning was deferred at the applicant's request.
Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 pm · 80 Broad St, Charleston · City Council agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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Trucklands Road Rural Industrial rezoning goes to County Council hearing
County Council holds a public hearing Nov 10 on rezoning a Trucklands Road parcel from low-density residential (R-4) to Rural Industrial. The County Planning Commission recommended approval 8-1 on Oct 12, noting the request matches the comprehensive plan map near the airport. The same hearing session also covers a zoning text amendment for the Old Georgetown Loop office area and the restrictive-covenant subdivision rules.
Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 pm · 4045 Bridge View Dr, North Charleston · Charleston County Council meetings page
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City permit and zoning fee updates, plus a floodplain rule change
City Council holds public hearings Nov 10 on new fee schedules for permits and services from the Development Services and Planning and Preservation departments, including new service fees for items such as zoning verification letters. Council also has first reading of an amendment to the floodplain chapter covering variances for functionally dependent uses, based on state model language.
Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 pm · 80 Broad St, Charleston · City Council agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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City starts talks on a comprehensive transportation review ordinance
The Traffic and Transportation Committee will hear a summary of early staff discussions on a citywide transportation review ordinance, which would shape how traffic impacts of development are reviewed. It is discussion only, with no vote. Parking citation and fine changes are also on the agenda.
Tuesday, November 10, 3:30 pm · 80 Broad St, Charleston · Traffic and Transportation Committee agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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Belle Hall: commercial recreation use proposed for 6.9 acres on La Mesa Road
Town Council has first reading of an amendment to the Belle Hall Planned Development that would add commercial recreation as a permitted use on a roughly 6.86-acre parcel on La Mesa Road. The Planning Commission and Planning Committee both recommended approval.
Tuesday, November 10, 6:00 pm · 100 Ann Edwards Ln, Mount Pleasant · Town Council agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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Rule for conflicts between zoning map and future land use map
Council also has first reading of a zoning code change on how the town handles conflicts between a property's zoning map designation and its Comprehensive Plan future land use designation. The same agenda has final readings to annex parcels on Faulkner Drive (1.95 acres) and Porchers Bluff Road (0.84 acres, zoned R-1); two Venning Road annexations were deferred at the applicant's request.
Tuesday, November 10, 6:00 pm · 100 Ann Edwards Ln, Mount Pleasant · Town Council agenda, Nov 10, 2026
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North end shoal management and south end groin studies on Council agenda
City Council will consider proposals of about $537,000 and $394,000 for feasibility and permitting work on north end shoal management and a south end groin, plus a $110,000 change order for the beach renourishment project. Staff reported in October that high surf delayed sand placement in Reach 2.
Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 pm · 1207 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms · City Council packet, Nov 10, 2026
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Short-term parking lot proposed in the Middle Street commercial district
The zoning board will consider a special exception to establish a short-term automobile parking lot on a commercial-district lot on Middle Street, along with variances from the split-zoned and commercial-overlay parking standards.
Thursday, November 12, 4:00 pm · 2056 Middle St, Sullivan's Island · BZA agenda, Nov 12, 2026
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Maybank Walk: 161 townhomes on 60 acres back at TRC
The site plan for Maybank Walk, formerly called Fenwick Hills, is on its fifth Technical Review Committee review. The plan from Mungo Homes calls for 161 townhomes on about 60.6 acres off Burnswick Drive, zoned Diverse Residential. TRC is a staff technical review; no public vote is taken.
Thursday, November 12, 9:00 am · Online (Zoom) · City TRC agenda, Nov 12, 2026
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Long Savannah: 130-lot phase and an apartment site package at TRC
TRC will review the preliminary plat and road plans for Long Savannah Neighborhood 5 Phase 3, 130 single-family lots on about 31.5 acres from Pulte Home Company, now on its fourth round. A separate early site package for a multifamily parcel in the Long Savannah PUD is also on the agenda.
Thursday, November 12, 9:00 am · Online (Zoom) · City TRC agenda, Nov 12, 2026
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Magnolia Landing waterfront park plan at TRC
A 3.5-acre waterfront park for the Magnolia Landing section of the Magnolia PUD on the upper peninsula is up for its second Technical Review Committee review. The park is part of the larger Magnolia redevelopment along the Ashley River.
Thursday, November 12, 9:00 am · Online (Zoom) · City TRC agenda, Nov 12, 2026
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Town of James Island weighs duplexes in Residential Office zones
The Planning Commission will consider zoning amendments that would allow duplexes, with conditions, in the Residential Office (OR) district and change corner-lot setback rules and small setback encroachments. The commission votes on a recommendation to Town Council. A standing update on the 10-year comprehensive plan rewrite is also on the agenda.
Thursday, November 12, 5:00 pm · 1122 Dills Bluff Rd, James Island · Planning Commission packet, Nov 12, 2026
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BAR-L: 411 Meeting Street revisions and BAR policy updates
The large-project architectural board will review revisions to the approved new construction at 411 Meeting Street, several signage packages, and proposed updates to BAR policy. Written comments are due by noon Nov 13.
Monday, November 16, 4:30 pm · 2 George St, Charleston · BAR-Large agenda, Nov 16, 2026
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289 King Street proposed for mixed-use/workforce housing zoning
The Planning Commission will consider rezoning about 0.18 acres at 289 King Street, a commercial building with several parcels, from General Business to the Mixed-Use/Workforce Housing (MU-2/WH) district. The commission makes a recommendation; City Council decides.
Wednesday, November 18, 5:00 pm · 2 George St, Charleston · City Planning Commission agenda, Nov 18, 2026
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Two Halsey Boulevard parcels proposed for DR-12 residential zoning
Roper St. Francis Healthcare is asking to rezone about 0.67 acres at 82 and 84 Halsey Boulevard on the west side of the peninsula from a mix of business and single-family zoning to Diverse Residential (DR-12). The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to City Council.
Wednesday, November 18, 5:00 pm · 2 George St, Charleston · City Planning Commission agenda, Nov 18, 2026
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Half-acre Folly Road site annexed and zoned General Office
A 0.5-acre commercial parcel at 1765 Folly Road is up for annexation into the city (first reading at City Council on Nov 10) and for city General Office zoning with the Folly Road Overlay at the Nov 18 Planning Commission. It currently carries county Folly Road corridor and neighborhood commercial zoning.
Wednesday, November 18, 5:00 pm · 2 George St, Charleston · City Planning Commission agenda, Nov 18, 2026
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Seven more West Ashley lots move from county to city
City Council has first reading Nov 10 on annexing seven small residential parcels in West Ashley (0.06 to 0.60 acres), and the Planning Commission will consider city single-family zoning (SR-1 or SR-2) for them on Nov 18. All are now zoned county R-4.
Wednesday, November 18, 5:00 pm · 2 George St, Charleston · City Planning Commission agenda, Nov 18, 2026
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Waterway Boulevard path ribbon cutting; Phase 3 design next
The elevated Waterway Boulevard multiuse path and drainage project is finished, with a ribbon cutting set for Nov 19. On Nov 10 Council considers a $43,100 contract for survey and preliminary design of Phase 3; staff are collecting easements and surveys from property owners in that section.
Thursday, November 19, 10:00 am · Waterway Blvd and Forest Trail, Isle of Palms · City Council packet, Nov 10, 2026
Recent decisions and updates
- Meeting
County Planning Commission: two River Road lot splits, 2027 schedule
A short November agenda: two minor subdivisions (one into two lots, one into three) on properties within 300 feet of River Road, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, plus adoption of the 2027 meeting calendar. Public comments are due through the county portal by 5 pm Nov 5.
- Meeting
Old Village historic board: new homes, additions and fence rules
The Historic District Preservation Commission will review nine Old Village projects, including a demolition and new primary structure, a preliminary review of another new home, and additions to historic structures. It will also look at a draft of changes to right-of-way fencing requirements.
- Meeting
Fill rule for low-lying lots returns to Planning Commission
The commission continues work on an amendment to the zoning section that bars raising or lowering natural grade, to decide how much fill should be allowed on low-lying lots. This is a discussion item; any change would go to Town Council for adoption.
- Meeting
Two Long Savannah phases with 182 home lots in TRC review
Preliminary plats and road plans for two more Long Savannah phases are on the Nov 5 TRC agenda: Neighborhood 7 Phase 4 (94 lots on about 20 acres, Mungo Homes) and Neighborhood 10A Phase 2 (88 lots, DRB Group). Both are within the existing Long Savannah PUD. The meeting is online via Zoom.
- Meeting
Fenwick Hall Allee 70-lot neighborhood: revised road plans
Revised road construction plans for the 70-lot Fenwick Hall Allee neighborhood (about 12 acres in the Village at Fenwick PUD) are back for a third TRC review on Nov 5. TRC checks engineering, drainage, traffic and fire access before plans can be approved.
- Meeting
City fire operations and training complex on West Ashley Circle
The city's planned fire operations and training complex on about 45 acres off West Ashley Circle is up for a second TRC site plan review on Nov 5. The project will also need Design Review Board approval.
- Meeting
Magnolia: seven-story office building and townhome amenity center
Two pieces of the Magnolia redevelopment on the upper peninsula return to TRC on Nov 5: a seven-story office building off Bachman Boulevard (third review) and an amenity center with open space for the Magnolia Landing townhomes (second review).
- Meeting
One-year extension sought for a James Island site approval
The site design board will consider a one-year extension of a November 2024 approval for property on Promenade Vista Street on James Island under the city's vested-rights rules. The same agenda includes a request on Morrison Drive to skip the protected-tree-per-acre requirement.
- Meeting
Waterway Boulevard flood barrier: Phase 3 design proposals
The committee will discuss design proposals for Phase 3 of the Waterway Boulevard flood barrier, with the city focusing on the right of way near 41st Avenue. Earlier phases are substantially complete. Updates on beach renourishment, the Palm Boulevard drainage project and marina dredging are also listed.
- Meeting
Columbus Street hotel plan shrinks; board to revisit its approval
The zoning board will hear a request to amend an earlier approval for a hotel on Columbus Street so required meeting space can drop to 12,000 square feet, as part of a plan with less height and less total floor area. Also on the agenda: a use variance on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and several small residential setback requests.
- Meeting
Oakland Plantation 87-townhouse request back at Planning Committee
Town Council deferred the Oakland Plantation PD amendment (87 townhouses on about 6 acres) on Oct 13, and it returns to the Planning Committee on Nov 2. The Planning Commission recommended denial and the committee previously made no recommendation. The same agenda reviews the Belle Hall PD use change, density versus the future land use map, and data center zoning.
- Decision
89 more apartments at Live Oak Square get preliminary approval
On Nov 2 the Design Review Board voted 5-0 to give preliminary approval to three new three-story residential buildings with 89 units on Reva Ridge Drive, adding to the Live Oak Square development. Final review goes to staff, and the board asked the applicant to swap crepe myrtles in the natural buffer for native trees.
- Decision
Grand Oaks Boulevard plan for 348 apartments and 33 townhomes gets conceptual approval
The Design Review Board voted 5-0 on Nov 2 to give conceptual approval to a 348-apartment, 33-townhome development off Grand Oaks Boulevard. The board asked for changes to the site entry, building massing, parking and landscaping, and said the project should go through Technical Review Committee before returning.
- Meeting
Mount Pleasant zoning rules for smoke and vape shops at first reading
A special Town Council meeting will give first reading to a new zoning code section regulating where smoke and vape shops can locate, following a Planning Committee discussion of commercial zoning distances earlier the same day.
- Meeting
Retail, urgent care, bank and restaurant designs at Commercial DRB
The board will give final review to a Wando Crossing retail building on North Highway 17, a bank on Coleman Boulevard and a restaurant on Ira Road, and preliminary review to an urgent care on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. An extension of the Patriots Annex master plan is on the correspondence list.
- Meeting
James Island Intergovernmental Council: Folly Road safety, drainage, sidewalks
The town, city, county, SCDOT and the public service district met Oct 28 on James Island projects: SCDOT Folly Road safety improvements, the Bayfront drainage project, flooding around Midvale and McElveen, sewer at Clarks Point, and sidewalks on Dills Bluff, Nabors and Secessionville. The group moves to a third-Thursday schedule in 2027.
- Decision
Front Beach (GC-3) setback and parking change passes 7-2
City Council passed the GC-3 ordinance on second reading Oct 27 by a 7-2 vote after amending the front setbacks to 0 feet on JC Long Boulevard, 15 feet on Carolina Boulevard and 10 feet on Pavilion Drive. The ordinance also reduces required restaurant parking in the district. Council asked the Planning Commission to look again at the wider Front Beach area. Results are from draft minutes in the Nov 10 council packet.
- Decision
Folly Road freestanding emergency department clears TRC review
The city's Technical Review Committee finished its second review of Roper St. Francis's one-story freestanding emergency department on Folly Road on Oct 22. Results list no further return to the committee, only paperwork comments, which is the step before permits can be issued.
- Decision
Maybank PUD and 62-lot concept plan recommended for approval
On Oct 21 the City Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend Planned Unit Development zoning for about 15.6 acres along Maybank Highway and Fern Hill Drive, along with a concept plan for 62 lots on about 13.5 acres. The parcels currently carry county R-4 and Maybank corridor overlay zoning. City Council makes the final decision.
- Decision
Zoning map rules, appeals process and architectural inventory updates recommended
The Planning Commission voted 8-0 on Oct 21 to recommend two citywide amendments: one on how zoning map boundaries are read and how appeals from city land-use boards go to Circuit Court, and one adopting the latest architectural inventory map with future changes approved by Council after BAR review. Both go to City Council next.
- Decision
Five annexed West Ashley lots recommended for city residential zoning
The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on Oct 21 to recommend low-density city residential zoning (SR-1 or SR-2) for five small West Ashley parcels recently annexed from the county, where they were zoned R-4. City Council has the final vote.
- Decision
Mount Pleasant Planning Commission denies Wakendaw Road 10-lot plan
On Oct 21 the commission denied a sketch plan for 10 lots on 6.5 acres off Wakendaw Road (R-1). It recommended approval of adding commercial recreation as a permitted use on a 6.86-acre Belle Hall PD parcel, approved a three-lot plan on Spring Hope Drive 6-1, and extended vested rights for a Hale Road sketch plan. A 13-lot Rifle Range Road plan was withdrawn.
- Project update
Main Road Segment A: CSX bridge construction starting this fall
The Main Road Corridor project (new US 17 interchange and widening of Main Road from Bees Ferry Road to River Road) lists construction of the CSX railroad bridge as beginning in fall 2026. Expect work zones near the US 17 and Main Road interchange.
- Notice
James Island starts its 10-year comprehensive plan update
Regional planning staff from the BCD Council of Governments presented a schedule and goals for the town's required 10-year comprehensive plan update on Oct 19. No votes were taken. The plan guides future land use and zoning; the commission meets next on Nov 12.
- Decision
Shoppes at Fenwick Allee sent back for revisions
On Oct 15 the city's Technical Review Committee gave a 'revise and return' result to a mixed-use building planned on about 1.6 acres in The Village at Fenwick PUD. It was the plan's third review; it also needs Design Review Board approval.
- Meeting
Town of James Island sets 16.0-mill property tax rate
Town Council's Oct 15 agenda included second reading of an ordinance confirming a 16.0-mill property tax rate for fiscal 2026-27, along with an update on a Nabors Drive sidewalk survey. Results will appear in the minutes once posted.
- Meeting
Oceanfront rezoning, new overlay and a fill rule for low-lying lots
The Planning Commission held a hearing on Oct 14 on rezoning parts of six oceanfront parcels on Atlantic Avenue from Recreation and Conservation (RC-1) to the RS residential district, and placing the remaining RC-1 land in a new overlay district. It also considered allowing extra fill on low-lying lots. Recommendations go to Town Council.
- Meeting
Front Beach commercial parking and zoning options discussed
At Council's request, the Planning Commission discussed commercial district parking rules on Oct 14. Concepts on the table include cutting restaurant parking requirements by 25% in the GC-3 district, or reshaping the Front Beach GC-2 district. These were discussion items, not a proposed ordinance.
- Decision
Mount Pleasant adopts two-year data center moratorium
Town Council gave final reading on Oct 13 to a temporary moratorium on accepting, processing or approving applications for data centers. It took effect on adoption and runs for two years unless Council extends it, while the town reviews where data centers may go and updates its zoning code and comprehensive plan.
- Notice
County short-term rental parking and bedroom rules at final reading
Amendments for unincorporated areas would require short-term rental permit applications to list bedrooms and all designated sleeping areas, and require one off-street parking space per sleeping area. The changes were scheduled for third and final reading on Oct 13; the outcome had not been posted on the county page yet.
How to take part
Most land-use boards take public comment in person and in writing. The agenda link on each item has the address, the case number and how to comment. Charleston County posts Planning Commission packets on its public input portal; the City of Charleston and the Town of Mount Pleasant post agendas in their online agenda centers.
Summaries are mine, written from the official agendas, packets and notices linked on each item. Agendas change, meetings get deferred and items get pulled, so confirm with the source before you go. Nothing here is an endorsement of any proposal.